NRL Supercoach Draft | Updated draft strategy


<p>This guide is for some tactical layers, the edges, positional cliffs, and the 2026‑specific changes that will decide leagues.</p>



<p>Before we go deeper &#8211; if you’re new to Draft, or need a refresher on structure, settings, captains, benches, and finals formats, <strong>go read Max Bryden’s excellent “</strong><a href="https://scplaybook.com.au/blog/2023/02/19/supercoach-draft-strategy-tips-and-tricks-for-the-big-day"><strong>NRL SC Draft 101: How to Prepare and Win Your Draf</strong></a><strong>t” first</strong>. </p>



<p>That article covers the fundamentals, so we don’t double‑up here.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Still Matters in 2026&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elite spine early (HFB and FLB still king)</strong></h3>



<p>Fullback was the highest scoring position in Supercoach last season, so it still deserves early attention. </p>



<p>There is some depth depending on league size, though. </p>



<p>For example, I currently have Bula as my twelfth fullback, and he averaged a very handy 62 last year.</p>



<p>Halfback is top-heavy, but there is some depth. </p>



<p>Doueihi is my twelfth halfback, and he averaged 57, which is serviceable as a later selection.</p>



<p>Five-eighth and hooker are heading the opposite way. </p>



<p>The top options, like Grant and Munster, cannot justify an early pick with their scoring. </p>



<p>My twelfth-ranked fifth-eighth is Luai, and he averaged 48 last season, which shows how bad the 5/8 position has become.</p>



<p>Key spine still matters, but in 2026, it is about targeting the positions that truly separate rather than blindly loading up early.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Finals‑first thinking</strong></h3>



<p>Drafting with finals viability in mind means looking beyond raw averages and asking the important questions early &#8211; Will this club still be playing for something in the run home? Is this player likely to be rested if their team locks up a top‑four spot? Does their role hold steady deep into the year?</p>



<p>Identifying the players and clubs with stable late‑season usage gives you a real advantage. </p>



<p>When everyone else is drafting purely for season output or name value, you are building a squad designed to peak in the only part of the season that truly matters.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What&#8217;s new for 2026</strong></h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The FRF Resurgence — But Don’t Overreact</strong></h3>



<p>The numbers say FRFs improved for last year… but strategically, it still doesn’t justify passing on elite spine in your early picks.</p>



<p>Let’s break it down.</p>



<p>The top‑10 FRFs averaged <strong>65.3 in 2024, </strong>which<strong> </strong>jumped to <strong>69.9 in 2025.</strong> A +4.6 point rise across the board<strong>. </strong>This is<strong> </strong>driven by:</p>



<ul>
<li>More minutes for elite FRFs</li>



<li>Increased attacking involvement (offloads, tackle busts)</li>



<li>Stronger base stats for certain emerging middles, e.g. May</li>
</ul>



<p>But Should You Draft FRFs Earlier Because Of It? No — or at least, not in Round 1 if you are playing captains. </p>



<p>Even with the rise of the elite FRF options in Haas and May, they are still below the elite spine options ceiling. </p>



<p>The depth remains extremely healthy, and the top 30 FRFs are still serviceable and consistent.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SC Scoring Changes&nbsp; — Centres &amp; Hookers Are Climbing The Ranks</strong></h3>



<p>It is worth familiarising yourself with the <a href="https://scplaybook.com.au/blog/2026/02/05/nrl-supercoach-2026-the-impact-of-the-nrl-stats-change">breakdown Random Stats Guy</a> put together on the new 2026 stats update, as it clearly explains how the scoring changes impact different positions.</p>



<p>Positions are now rising or falling in draft value due to the changes. </p>



<p>The headline takeaway is clear &#8211; <strong>Centres and Hookers are the biggest winners under the updated system</strong>, with both positions gaining meaningful upside thanks to changes that better reward their natural involvement in attacking movements and defensive work.</p>



<p>The scoring update that turns the last pass into a try assist gives <strong>centres</strong> a clear boost. </p>



<p>It naturally rewards the players who frequently handle that final touch in sweeping backline movements. </p>



<p>This lifts the value of ball‑playing centres, strong‑side attacking CTWs and high‑involvement edge players like Holmes, Kiraz, Herbie and Izack Tago.</p>



<p>Draft impact &#8211; Centres should climb one to two rounds on most draft boards, and taking an elite centre early no longer feels uncomfortable in the first round.</p>



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<p>The new scoring emphasis on tackle volume and ruck dominance gives <strong>hookers </strong>a clear bump in reliability. </p>



<p>Their natural role delivers high involvement in defence, and 3rd man in involvement in tackles will now be rewarded in the updated system</p>



<p>Draft impact &#8211; Good hookers now sit firmly in the Round 3 to 6 range, especially in leagues without captaincy, where their consistent weekly output becomes even more valuable.</p>



<p>I still would not take a hooker early, given the lack of truly elite scoring at the position.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The 2026 NRL Changes</strong></h3>



<p>The introduction of the six‑man bench in 2026 increases a coach’s ability to manage workloads and rest key players, especially once a match is under control. </p>



<p>This creates real risk for premium guns in strong teams who regularly jump out to strong leads. </p>



<p>Players like Turbo, Walsh, Haas, Ponga, and Cleary become candidates for reduced minutes or early showers in comfortable wins. </p>



<p>The new changes introduce more risk that should factor into draft decisions.</p>



<p>I’m far more comfortable drafting players from weaker teams who simply can’t afford to rest their stars. </p>



<p>They’ll need their best players on the field, which makes them more reliable for Supercoach. </p>



<p>Guys like Kini and Drinkwater stand out with the extended bench.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Takeaways from last year</strong></h3>



<ul>
<li>Players with rising base stats (e.g., Tapine, Hopgood, Lindsay Smith, Carrigan, May) are gaining reliability and show year base‑driven predictability.</li>



<li>Several CTWs (Holmes, Kiraz, Staggs, Turuva) show high scoring from tries in 2025.</li>



<li>2RF appears more volatile, with swings tied closely to attacking stats rather than base.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key mindset</strong></h3>



<p>Always ask yourself how much better a player truly is than the options below, because that simple question keeps your draft focused on real value rather than hype. </p>



<p>And when positional runs hit, let others overpay while you steal value elsewhere.</p>


NRL Supercoach Draft | Updated draft strategy

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