But fortune, they say, favours the brave. Walsh will never die wondering and, given he is only 23, there is every reason to believe the best is yet to come.
It will be fascinating to watch whether he, and the Broncos, can take their game to another level in 2026. But there are also myriad other storylines looming to keep fans captivated.
Beware the Panthers
Reece Walsh ended Nathan Cleary’s premiership reign in the 2025 preliminary final, then inspired Brisbane to win the premiership decider a week later.Credit: NRL
After the Broncos ended Penrith’s four-year title dynasty with a Walsh-inspired 16-point comeback in the preliminary final, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary asked in typically deadpan style: “What’s over?”
That’ll be the attitude for the dethroned champions. After a slow start to 2025, they powered home to place seventh, won two play-offs and were within five minutes of a sixth straight decider.
With basically the same group of players, led by champions Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, they’ll be eager to regain the crown.
Cherry-ripe Chooks
Roosters skipper James Tedesco and new recruit Daly Cherry-EvansCredit: Peter Rae
When the Roosters finally confirmed rugby league’s worst-kept secret – the signing of former Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans – my colleague Christian Nicolussi observed: “The 16 rival NRL clubs might as well concede they are now playing for second place in 2026.”
It’s a big call, but “Nico” backed it up with a compelling argument.
The Roosters are banking on DCE having a similar impact to Cooper Cronk, who helped the Chooks win back-to-back titles in 2018-19 after moving from Melbourne.
Cherry-Evans, the former Queensland captain will be 37 next season – the oldest player in the NRL – but his experience and game management will be worth every cent of the $500,000 the Roosters reportedly paid for him.
They’ll be there or thereabouts come the business end of proceedings.
Is Wayne on the wane?
Wayne Bennett.Credit: NRL Photos
When South Sydney sacked Jason Demetriou and announced Wayne Bennett was returning for a second stint as coach, it’s safe to assume they did not expect to be battling it out with the also-rans to avoid the wooden spoon.
Decimated by injuries, the Rabbitohs limped home in 14th position – the worst result of Bennett’s unrivalled career.
The great man hasn’t been involved in the play-offs since he steered Souths to a grand final defeat against Penrith in 2021.
There is no lack of talent in his roster, which includes Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cody Walker, Brandon Smith, Campbell Graham and David Fifita. But how quickly can the coach, who will be 76 by kick-off next season, turn them around?
Time for Lachlan Galvin to shine
Lachlan Galvin was constantly in the headlines last season.Credit: Getty Images
It’s hard to believe Lachlan Galvin is still only 20, given he has already attracted more hype and hysteria than most players endure in their entire career.
Maybe it’s time we all moved on from the controversy caused by his mid-season defection from Wests Tigers to Canterbury and let the kid play some football.
Galvin has 45 NRL games under his belt, and by all accounts has been pushing himself during the pre-season to become even fitter and faster. He’s ready to cast aside the P-plates.
Melbourne’s makeover
Storm coach Craig Bellamy.Credit: Getty Images
Nobody would dare underestimate the mighty Melbourne Storm.
But after back-to-back grand final losses, followed by the departures of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jonah Pezet and Grant Anderson – parlayed into Eliesa Katoa’s concussion-enforced unavailability – there is a rare sense of vulnerability about them.
In saying that, the genius of Craig Bellamy is the Storm’s system and culture, rather than individuals. There is no better coach to keep the juggernaut firing.
A spoonful of medicine
Dylan Brown shares a joke with his future Newcastle teammates after his last game for Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
In his last game for Parramatta, Dylan Brown starred in a 66-10 slaughter that left Newcastle with the wooden spoon.
Now the Kiwi five-eighth faces the task of dragging the Knights out of the cellar, having signed a remarkable 10-year contract worth a reported $13 million.
New coach Justin Holbrook has plenty of firepower, if Brown can unlock the likes of Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Bradman Best and Dominic Young.
But do Newcastle have the forwards capable of allowing their backs to excel?
State of apprehension
Defeat in the Origin decider was a bitter pill for Laurie Daley.Credit: NRL Photos
It’s a worrying prospect for NSW fans, still stinging after the Blues allowed Queensland to fight back from 1-0 down and win the 2025 Origin series.
Will the Maroons be even stronger if they reinstate the aforementioned Walsh at fullback?
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It’s hard to imagine Walsh won’t be the first player picked if he starts next year the way he finished this campaign.
It’s another dilemma for Blues coach Laurie Daley, who desperately needs a result after one win from his six series in charge.
