NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: Why Teams Will Run On Last More This Season

The Four Point Focus breaks down a play from every round of the 2025 NRL season, highlighting the context, shape, trigger and the lessons learned. It’s viewed with an eye on 2026 as we look for trends, breakout players and hints of what might be to come next season.

This is an off-season series for Premium subscribers who choose to support my work over the break.

Previous:
- Quick Taps On The Up?
- Ponga Guiding The Knights Attack (free)
- Defending Katoa's Deception (free)
- How Souths Use Keaon Koloamatangi On The Line
- The Triangle Leading To Cleary's Curling Grubber
- How The Roosters Exploit Kick Pressure From Marker (free)
- Scrum Play Double Bluff
- How Cleary Recreated That Grand Final Try (free)
- Breaking Down A Raiders Tap Start
- Payne Passing Through The Middle
- Dolphins Breaking Down Spacings On The Goal Line
- How Will The Storm Attack Without Papenhuyzen?
- Can The Dolphins Keep Attacking From Everywhere? (free)
- What Works In The Titans Attack?
- Why Mitchell Is the #1 Option At Fullback

Point 1 - The Context

As one trend develops in the NRL, coaches look for opportunities. It happens every season, particularly now with the ARLC’s desperation to change rules at any opportunity.

One trend I’ve kept an eye on recently is a teams willingness to run it on the last from anywhere on the field.

Anthony Griffin’s St George Illawarra Dragons loved to run it on the last when attacking the line; it’s a fine place to turn the ball over. However, we saw a few teams adopt the approach from further out in 2025 with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs taking the risk in search of points late in their Round 17 defeat to the Penrith Panthers.

Point 2 - The Shape

With less than three minutes to play and perhaps one more full set to find points, the Bulldogs chanced their arm around halfway.

Lachlan Galvin doesn’t even shape to kick when taking the pass from his dummy half. He quickly shovels the pass wider for Bailey Hayward to do the same.

With the winger back for the kick and Matt Burton sweeping behind a middle forward running a lead inside the four-man, the Bulldogs get the look they want.

Connor Tracey gets to the outside of Nathan Cleary at two-man to put his centre down the outside. We can’t ignore the difficulty of the position Brian To’o is in here…