NRLCEO DREAM TEAM ROUND 22
With only 5 rounds left in the NRL season it is time to check in on our Dream Team for 2026. Jackson Ford was our leader after Round 15 but his season ended early due to injury, although he still manages a spot on the bench. Thomas Jenkins is our MVP leader, thats right a WINGER! 28 Tries so far this season and he should easily break the record of 30 for the NRL era but he is unlikely to break the all time record of 38 tries in a season. Heilum Luki is 13 pts behind Jenkins and here is a group of 5 players on 155-157 points. Jenkins would be the first winger to be the NRLCEO MVP if he can hold on to his lead.
Fullback – Sualauvi Fa’alogo (157) – Has been consistent all season, despite the Storm missing the finals for the first time since their salary cap scandal. Fa’alogo is a constant threat at the line with his fast feet and side stepping and he could be the number one fullback in NRLCEO for years to come.
Wingers – Thomas Jenkins (176 MVP) & Alex Johnston (140) – Milky and AJ continue to score tries at will with Jenkins now on 28 and AJ on 22. You have to give Jenkins credit, he has become a real weapon for the Panthers, especially in the air. Can Jenkins hold his lead and become the first winger to be crowned NRLCEO MVP?
Centres – Fletcher Sharpe (105) & Tolutau Koula (104) – Easily the weakest position in NRLCEO in 2026 with only two players cracking100 points. Sharpe has been an attacking spark for the Knights and a good foil for Ponga. Koula is the Sea Eagles go to in attack due to his light feet and speed and he also earned his first Origin jersey for NSW.
Five Eighth – Braydon Trindall (157) – Trindall and Hynes have formed the NRL’s deadliest halves combination this season, with a combined 45 TA’s, with Trindall supplying 25 of those. Trindall also has 20 LBA’s and 21 repeat sets to round out his game.
Halfback – Nathan Cleary (149) – Cleary needs just 11 more points for a career best NRLCEO season. As long as the Panthers continue to have success, Cleary should be the first player picked in drafts!
Front Rowers – Terrell May (156) & Keaon Koloamatangi (148) – May has been down on last season’s form but he is still the best prop in NRLCEO (although Jackson Ford would be if he hadn’t been injured). Keaon has played through injury for much of the season but has still near his best most weeks.
Hooker – Harry Grant (156) – Grant continues to be the premium Hooker this season, with the gap to the next best Blayke Brailey (115) now at 41 points. Unfortunately Grant’s charge to the MVP title took a blow with a hamstring injury ruling him out for a month.
Back Rowers – Heilum Luki (163) & Haumole Olakau’atu (155) – Luki has led all back rowers for much of the season and is having a breakout NRLCEO season. It will be interesting to see if he is picked ahead of the usual back row guns Hudson Young and Dylan Lucas. Haumole has also been impressive this season, playing his part in Fozball with damaging runs and try scoring.
Lock – Hamish Stewart (137) – The Dragons young gun has been earmarked for future rep honours in what is just his 2nd year in the NRL. He has a natural ball playing ability and has an enormous work rate which will see him amongst the NRLCEO elite for years to come.
Bench Forwards – Dylan Lucas (145) & Jackson Ford (142) – Injury has once again cruelled Lucas’s season, just when he was starting to hit his straps. Despite the form of Heilum Luki, I think Lucas should be the first back rower picked in drafts. Ford holds on to his spot despite not playing since round 16. He was the premium forward this season and there is no reason to think that he cannot repeat that next season, especially given that Mitch Barnett will leave for the Broncos.
Bench Backs – Nicho Hynes (146) & Sam Walker (143) – Hynes has been red hot over the last month, averaging almost 13 points & 7 goals a game. He has the Sharks primed for a shot at premiership glory, as does Sam Walker, who has come through Origin with supreme confidence. Walker single-handedly destroyed teams last round with 29 points and 12 goals which has given him a shot at finishing ahead of both Cleary and Hynes.
Adam Brownlee
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