Fullback: Sua Faalogo (Melbourne Storm)
Though the Storm can struggle to get attention in AFL-focused Victoria, Faalogo is one of the few Melbourne-raised players, playing his junior footy in Melbourne. He’s proof that the Storm’s long-term efforts to promote rugby league in a non-traditional area are paying off.
While Melbourne have had a poor season by their high standards, Faalogo has been one of the standouts, scoring 13 tries in 16 games, replacing Ryan Papenhuyzen after his sudden retirement, and filling in as goalkicker for Nick Meaney. Faalogo is ‘box office’ material, pulling off stunning plays to create try-scoring opportunities.
He’s settled into the champion spine of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, and Harry Grant, which has helped the Storm win three of their last four and make a late charge for the top-eight.
An honourable mention to Keano Kini: the Gold Coast Titans may be destined for another bottom-four finish, but his astounding chip-and-chase try to beat Brisbane, followed by three try assists against the Wests Tigers, got the attention of the mainstream footy public. And deservedly so.
Wing: Selwyn Cobbo (The Dolphins)
Cobbo moving from Brisbane to Redcliffe has been one of the surprising signings for 2026. In 12 games, he has become a regular first grade winger for the Dolphins and one of seven Queenslanders to score an Origin hat-trick. He has scored ten tries so far as the Dolphins head to a potential top-four finish. He also scored the match-winning try against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
Cobbo’s club combination with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow led to a crucial Queensland try at the MCG. Queensland led 26-18 when the Hammer offloaded to Cobbo on the left wing (after a beautiful tap-on pass from Ponga). Cobbo spotted the gaps in the NSW defence and grubbered in-field for the Hammer to score.
An honourable mention goes to the Warriors’ Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (CNK), who’s shown his versatility since returning from injury. With Taine Tuaupiki locked into fullback and Alofiana Khan-Pereira injured, CNK moved to the left wing and scored four tries against North Queensland. It shows how much CNK has grown: in his last season at Canberra (2022), he was overtaken by Xavier Savage and finished the year in NSW Cup. At the Warriors, he can slot into wing or centre and still make an impact in first grade.
Centre: Herbie Farnworth (The Dolphins)
Is Herbie the best English player in the NRL right now? There’s a big chance that he is, with competition from Dominic Young and Kai Pearce-Paul.
Farnworth scored three tries in the last three games as Redcliffe went undefeated through June (and haven’t lost since Anzac Day). He’s a crucial part of an entertaining back five, including Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock (who’s been rewarded with a NSW Origin debut in Game 3), and Selwyn Cobbo.
Centre: Tallis Duncan (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
While Duncan could be named in this team at second row or centre, key injuries to the Rabbitohs’ back five means he’s needed at centre right now. As of Round 17, the Rabbitohs are missing Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Edward Kosi, Latrell Mitchell, and Isaiah Tass.
Based on previous seasons, Souths would be struggling to reach the finals. But Duncan has played all 14 games (scoring seven tries, averaging 133 running metres, and making 364 tackles at 91.9% efficiency) and has helped keep Souths in the eight. While Duncan played second row up to Round 11, he moved to centre against North Queensland in Round 12, returned to the second row against Manly (Round 14), and back to centre in the big wins over Brisbane and Parramatta.
If Duncan can maintain his consistency until the bigger names return, then Souths should play finals for the first time since 2022.
Wing: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
‘Marky Mark’ is making the most of his time in the NRL before returning to rugby union. Since returning from injury in Round 14 against Canberra, Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games and a double in his NSW Origin debut. He deservedly retained his spot for Game 3 in Brisbane.
His unpredictability and willingness to try anything to score (helped by his rugby sevens background) makes him an entertaining and occasionally frustrating player. How many more highlight moments will he see before his time in rugby league is done?
Five-eighth: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sydney Roosters)
After struggling in his final season at Manly (and losing his Queensland Origin spot and the captaincy), DCE’s move to Easts was a gamble, especially around his combination with Sam Walker. Would DCE’s seniority naturally overrule Walker, or would he sit back and let Walker thrive?
It’s paid off so far: 5,151 kicking metres (averaging 343.40), four tries, a field goal, and nine try assists. While the Origin-weakened Roosters lost 48-10 to the Dolphins in Round 15, DCE had a season-high 719 kicking metres at halfback, showing that he was doing his best to lift Easts in a one-sided game.
DCE could have finished at Manly as a one-club legend and premiership winner. But he’s chosen to challenge himself at arguably the most powerful Sydney club and turn them into a premiership force again.
Halfback: Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
It’s been a magnificent month for Walker: he led the Roosters to the top-four and shown enormous potential in his first Origin series. While Queensland lost the first game, Walker was a crucial part of the Maroons’ early 20-0 lead, and he backed that up with a Player of the Match performance in Melbourne. His perfect goalkicking (12/12) shows he has the composure needed for Origin.
Queensland coach Billy Slater praised Walker after the Origin 2 win in Melbourne for "getting his game right ... he's so humble and so respectful, but oozes confidence in his own ability … he just handles pressure situations … with calmness and with skill.”
Prop: Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
While Laurie Daley’s NSW Origin selections have been dissected over the past few weeks, the consensus is that Koloamatangi is one of the unluckiest to miss out.
He’s been a crucial part of Souths’ revival this month (two wins, one loss, and a bye) - as they look to play finals for the first time since 2022 - and has played all 14 games so far. He ran for a combined 424 metres (153 post-contact) and made 60 tackles (only one miss) in the Rabbitohs’ wins against Brisbane and Parramatta.
He leaves for St George Ilawarra in 2027, so Souths fans should make the most of him while they can.
Hooker: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
The Melbourne captain has been an integral part of the Storm’s revival through June. Grant’s influence was vital against Canberra. After playing in Origin 2 the previous Wednesday night, Grant started on the bench for the Storm. The struggling Raiders made the most of his absence with a 16-0 lead. But the game changed when Grant came on after 20 minutes. It took Melbourne just six minutes to erase Canberra’s lead, followed by another five tries as the Storm overpowered the Raiders, with Grant playing 60 minutes.
And then there’s Grant’s Origin contribution, playing 77 minutes in the Maroons’ big win in Melbourne to keep the series alive. He can be relied on to play 80 minutes most games, which means Queensland don’t have to play a reserve hooker.
Honourable mentions go to Jeremy Marshall-King and Owen Pattie.
Since regaining the starting hooker role at Redcliffe, JMK has played between 68 and 80 minutes against Canberra, North Queensland, Easts, the Wests Tigers, and the Warriors.
After Canberra coach Ricky Stuart chose to send Pattie back to NSW Cup to get more minutes, Pattie’s form demanded a first grade return (with Jayden Brailey underwhelming as the back up hooker). He nearly guided Canberra to a comeback win over Parramatta and started at hooker against Melbourne and St George Illawarra, sparking the Raiders with energy out of dummy half and crucial 40/20 kicks.
While Canberra’s had an awful 2026, Pattie’s development as starting hooker against Melbourne and St George Illawarra (with Tom Starling on the bench) will give Raiders fans hope of a brighter future.
Prop: Terrell May (Wests Tigers)
Terrell May is doing his best to keep the Tigers in finals contention (and break their 14-year drought), playing 14 games out of 15.
Though the Tigers only won one from four in June, May ran for 128 metres against Penrith, 231 against the Gold Coast, 167 against the Dolphins, and 173 against Newcastle, playing between 70 to 80 minutes in each game.
May has partnered with Fonua Pole and Bunty Afoa in the front row, laying the platform for Jarome Luai and Jock Madden/Adam Doueihi to engineer the Tigers’ attack.
Second Row: Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
While many disagreed with Olakau'atu’s omission from Origin 2, the Manly second rower responded perfectly: 262 running metres against the Wests Tigers, 266 against South Sydney, 182 against Canterbury, and 158 against Melbourne.
His double against the Storm gave Manly an early 12-0 lead enroute to a 30-4 win. Both tries came from strong runs on the right edge off Jake Simpkin’s dummy half service.
Olakau'atu returned to the Blues squad for Origin 3 and is likely to start off the bench (though you could argue he should be starting with Hudson Young).
An honourable mention goes to North Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai, who returned to the Queensland Origin squad after scoring three tries combined against the Warriors and Penrith. His double against the Panthers included a wonderful catch off a Jake Clifford bomb to give the Cowboys a 20-12 lead.
Second Row: Jacob Laban (NZ Warriors)
After playing 19 games at the Warriors between 2024 and 2025, Laban has become a regular part of the Warriors’ intimidating forward pack this season.
Ten of his 14 games have been starting in the second row, playing 80 minutes in four of his last five games. Overall, he’s made 370 tackles (89.4% efficiency) and had 916 running metres.
Laban’s forward partner Tanner Stowers-Smith (starting at prop against Cronulla and the Dolphins) has also risen to the challenge while the Warriors’ front row depth has been tested.
Lock: Erin Clark (NZ Warriors)
Clark has been a model of consistency as the Warriors sit in the top four.
He’s played every game this season (15), averaged around 50-60 minutes a game, scored four tries, averaged 134 running metres, and made 423 tackles at 97% efficiency.
This consistency is important when his fellow forwards James Fisher-Harris, Leka Halasima, and Jackson Ford are all out injured. Without Clark’s dependability, these injuries could have destroyed the Warriors’ season.