In the world of NRL, some players are not just athletes; they represent a staggering financial commitment exceeding $10 million. As the 2026 season approaches, these stars, including Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, and Campbell Graham from South Sydney, along with Kalyn Ponga from Newcastle and Valentine Holmes from St George Illawarra, are eager to prove their worth after spending significant time sidelined due to injuries last season.
For the coaches overseeing these talented individuals, their return is akin to making impactful new signings, given how much they missed out on the action last year. Among those returning, it's notable that three players—Ponga, Mitchell, and Murray—are each reported to earn over $1 million annually, underlining their importance to their respective teams.
As NRL clubs gear up for pre-season training on Monday, these players are focused on ensuring they're primed and ready for the inaugural round. Last season, South Sydney faced unprecedented injury challenges, finishing in 14th place under the guidance of master coach Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs began their campaign strongly, winning four out of their first five games, but were ultimately devastated by injuries at a level Bennett described as the worst he has encountered throughout his extensive career.
Reflecting on the toll, Bennett remarked, "I haven’t gone close to that," particularly after witnessing his team suffer a staggering 60-14 defeat against the Broncos while missing 13 regular starters. Notably, both Mitchell and Graham managed to play only 11 games each, while captain Murray appeared just once in the final round.
If these key players can regain their fitness in time for the season-opener against the Dolphins, it could provide a welcomed boost for Bennett and the Rabbitohs. Meanwhile, the Dolphins, who have their own injury concerns, are anticipating the return of Thomas Flegler, who hasn't played in 19 months due to a serious shoulder injury sustained back in April 2024. Initially thought to be a minor issue, it turned into a significant complication involving nerve damage that raised fears about the future of his playing career.
Fortunately, Flegler is now back in contact training and is optimistic about being fit to face the Rabbitohs on March 8. Dolphins head coach Kristian Woolf is also hopeful that Daniel Saifiti will be available following his recovery from a shoulder injury, having only played five matches since joining Redcliffe. Team captain Tom Gilbert, who managed ten games before succumbing to similar issues, will also be looking to make a strong comeback as they beef up their lineup, potentially welcoming back English Test centre Herbie Farnworth, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Over in Auckland, the Warriors are seeing progress with co-captain Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf, both of whom are on the mend from knee reconstructions. Barnett is particularly eager to be ready for round one, sharing his experiences of overcoming multiple surgeries, including spinal operations. He disclosed that recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury has been the most mentally taxing endeavor he has faced, highlighting the long road ahead when returning to peak condition.
"It’s been the most frustrating because of the time it takes to get going again," Barnett admitted, noting the immense effort required to regain full mobility and agility. In contrast, while the threat of spinal issues weighed heavily on him, he feels assured that he can return to the field from this injury.
At Manly, players Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau’atu have been out of action for an extended period due to their own injuries, which has undoubtedly affected the team's dynamics. Furthermore, Newcastle's hopes hinge on the return of Ponga, who is recovering from a foot fracture sustained in round 17. His absence was significantly felt, as the Knights struggled without him, losing eight consecutive matches to finish at the bottom of the ladder. Ponga remains optimistic about his recovery, stating that despite wearing a moon boot, he believes he’ll be ready for the season opener against North Queensland in Las Vegas.
St George Illawarra is counting on the return of centre Valentine Holmes, who played 14 games last year before facing a shoulder injury, to help elevate their performance. Lastly, no one embodies resilience quite like Cronulla's Cam McInnes, who is also battling back from a ruptured ACL—the second such setback in his career. Despite the challenges, McInnes remains determined, showing readiness to fight for a chance at round one.
