My Five Warriors to Stand Out In 2026

With the 2026 NRL season fast approaching, and my Warriors season preview on hold until after the trials, I’m kicking off the year the same way I did in 2025, highlighting five players I believe are primed for big seasons in Warriors colours. Every season, a few players make the jump from solid contributors to genuine difference-makers, and 2026 shapes as a breakout year for several in the squad. These selections aren’t ranked, and while others were in contention, I’ve narrowed it down to five players I expect to stand out this season.

So let's just get into it.

1. Leka Halasima

First on my list is Leka Halasima.

Halasima emerged last season as one of the most exciting young forwards not just in the Warriors system, but across the entire NRL, quickly making headlines with his explosive carries and try-scoring impact. He finished the year as the club’s leading try scorer, claimed the Warriors Rookie of the Year award, and capped off his breakout season with his Tonga debut in the Pacific Championships.

Heading into 2026, Halasima remains one of the Warriors’ most dangerous young forwards, combining power and mobility with the confidence to attack the line rather than simply carry the ball. The challenge now is avoiding second-year syndrome, and if he can maintain that intensity across longer minutes, he has all the tools to take his game to another level and secure an even bigger role in the pack.

2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

2025 was a challenging year for Khan-Pereira. After falling out of favour with Titans coach Des Hasler, he managed just 10 NRL appearances. Still, he crossed for 9 tries, the fourth-most at the club, and averaged 137 running metres per game. Defensive struggles, however, held him back, with a tackle efficiency of just 64.62% contributing to extended stints in reserve grade.

Few wingers in the competition boast Khan-Pereira’s combination of speed, athleticism and natural try-scoring instinct. Even a sliver of space is enough for him to finish, making him a constant threat on the edge. He may need to bide his time, with Andrew Webster favouring established combinations. Defensive improvements, along with growth in yardage, carries, and aerial contests, will be key to earning him his chance. Still, his raw speed is a weapon the Warriors desperately need, giving him every opportunity to become a major attacking threat in 2026.

3. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

2025 was a breakthrough year for Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. He played just five first-grade matches but made a bigger impact in 17 NSW Cup games, scoring 6 tries, making 6 line breaks, and delivering 11 offloads. His performances earned him a top-30 contract through to the end of 2028. A raw talent on both sides of the ball, Ieremia-Toeava looks set to become a regular fixture in the Warriors’ roster for years to come.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava enters 2026 as one of the Warriors’ most intriguing developing prospects. His versatility and work rate make him a valuable squad member, capable of filling roles through the middle or on an edge. While his first-grade opportunities have been limited so far, his performances outside the NRL have consistently shown reliability, smart decision-making, and a willingness to dig deep for his team. With a full preseason behind him, 2026 shapes as a real breakthrough chance. If he can earn trust defensively, Ieremia-Toeava could transition from depth player to a regular first-grade contributor.

4. Sam Healey

Sam Healey had limited first-grade opportunities in 2025, with Andrew Webster preferring Te Maire Martin on the bench. Still, in his 7 NRL appearances, he showed just how dangerous an attacker he can be. Healey was also a key part of the NSW Cup side’s championship-winning campaign, crossing for a try in the grand final and proving his ability to influence games when it mattered most.

Sam Healey could quietly play a key role for the Warriors in 2026, bringing X-factor and much-needed spark at dummy-half, a position that heavily influences how a team controls games. While he still has work to do on his service from the ruck, his attacking flair and ability to flip momentum make him a genuine threat. As the Warriors fine-tune their spine combinations, Healey could earn more minutes, given his ability to ignite the attack and manage the middle, which has proven crucial to the team’s performance.

5. Morgan Gannon

Rounding out my list is Morgan Gannon.

After injury-plagued years in 2023 and 2024, including sitting out the entire 2024 season due to head knocks, Morgan Gannon made the most of his final season with Leeds in 2025. He played 24 games, mainly in the second row or off the bench, and even spent one match at five-eighth, showing off his ball-playing skills. Gannon scored 7 tries and combined his attacking ability with solid defensive acumen, helping Leeds reach an elimination final before a narrow 16-14 loss to St Helens. While English imports have been hit-or-miss for the Warriors in the past, Gannon could be a valuable addition to the roster in 2026.

A forward who blends toughness, skill, and a high work rate with strong defensive reliability. Originally signed as a locking option, he now faces the challenge of earning a regular spot in the 17. Gannon can play big minutes and contribute on both sides of the ball, and a fresh start at the Warriors gives him the chance to rediscover his best form. If he can stay healthy, add more impact with the ball, and become a consistent line-running threat in 2026, he could quietly become one of the team’s most dependable forwards, the kind whose value is measured by what the side gains whenever he’s on the field.

So, those are my five Warriors players, I believe, who are best placed to stand out in the 2026 season. 

Next week I'll be turning my attention to the five players who must improve in 2026, those facing increased pressure or bigger expectations as the Warriors look to take thier campaign to another level. As always, let me know what you think of my selections and which Warriors you believe are set for a big year in 2026.