Home
NRL

2026 League of Inches NRL Futures Picks: Putting Reputation on the Line

Joel Johnston

Editor

Last updated: Wed 18 Feb 2026 11:27

Joel Johnston 18 Feb 2026

Share this article

Penrith Panthers predicted to dominate as NRL and Minor Premiers due to system stability.
Top 4 includes a trajectory-backed pick for the Dolphins, signaling growth potential.
Xavier Coates and Jayden Campbell highlighted for top try and point scorer roles.

2026 League of Inches NRL Futures Picks

2026 League of Inches NRL Futures Picks: Putting Reputation on the Line

We’ve officially done it. On the first Tuesday show of the 2026 season, Trav and I locked in our futures picks live on the podcast. No hiding. No hedging. Just $1 bets and a full season of accountability.

2026 League of Inches NRL Futures Picks: Putting Reputation on the Line
NRL Premiers - Penrith Panthers
Minor Premiers - Penrith Panthers
Top 4 - Dolphins
Top 8 Smokey - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Top Try Scorer - Xavier Coates
Top Point Scorer - Jayden Campbell
Why I Like Doing This

This article is the official record. By the time September rolls around, we’ll know whether these were sharp reads or early-season delusion. Either way, we’re not ducking it.

Let’s get into what I’ve backed for 2026.

NRL FuturesTop Odds & StatsBet Here

New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

NRL Premiers - Penrith Panthers

I’m not overthinking this.

Penrith still have the system, still have the spine, and still have Nathan Cleary right in the middle of his prime. For all the noise about the competition catching up, they remain the benchmark.

They’ve had stability where other clubs have had turnover. That matters across a long season. I’m backing structure and standards over hype. Trav is hedging on the Brisbane Broncos!

Minor Premiers - Penrith Panthers

Penrith rarely drop games they shouldn’t. They manage Origin periods better than anyone. They travel well. They don’t panic when things get messy.

That’s how you win a minor premiership.

Other teams might have higher peaks across short bursts, but over 27 rounds I trust Penrith more than anyone else to bank points methodically. Trav is with me on this one with Penrith Panthers.

Top 4 - Dolphins

I’ve been bullish on the Dolphins all preseason, and I’m not backing away from it now.

Isaiya Katoa is tracking towards elite territory. If Jeremy Marshall-King stays healthy and their forward pack gives them enough platform, this is a side that can win in different ways.

This isn’t a sentimental pick. It’s a trajectory pick and Trav is riding the Sydney Roosters in a safer move with good odds.

Top 8 Smokey - South Sydney Rabbitohs

South Sydney are the one I keep coming back to. There’s talent across this squad. There’s strike power on the edges. And if their spine clicks early, they can build momentum quickly.

The Rabbitohs don’t need to be dominant to make the eight. They need to be stable. If their key players stay healthy and they avoid early-season chaos, they absolutely have the upside to force their way into finals football.

They won’t be everyone’s pick, and that’s exactly why I like it. Trav is taking the easy pick with the Dolphins making their finals debut.

Top Try Scorer - Xavier Coates

Xavier Coates in Melbourne’s system is a dangerous bet to ignore. The Storm generate repeat opportunities down their edges. They manufacture space. They build pressure. And Coates finishes.

What I like most is that he doesn’t rely on miracle plays. He benefits from structure, speed, and second-phase footy.

If Melbourne are anywhere near the top four which I expect they will be, Coates will get volume. Trav has picked Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to repeat his standout performance from last season before he got injured.

Top Point Scorer - Jayden Campbell

This one will surprise some people. Jayden Campbell isn’t the obvious pick in a competition that includes Nathan Cleary and elite goal-kickers across the top teams.

But if Campbell locks down the Titans’ primary kicking role and plays a full season, the upside is real. He plays behind an improving attacking spine. He’s dynamic. And if the Titans are competitive in most games, the conversion opportunities stack up quickly.

Point-scoring titles are often about durability and opportunity, not just reputation. If Campbell gets both, he’s right in this race.

Here Trav is taking a jump and having a bit of fun putting in Latrell Mitchell as top pointscorer for 2026.

Why I Like Doing This

Futures bets force you to take a position early. You can’t wait for three months of data. You have to trust your read on squads, trajectories, combinations and coaching stability.

It’s easy to talk in hypotheticals. It’s harder to commit. Now it’s locked in.

And by the end of 2026, we’ll know exactly how good the read was.