Affiliated states news 2026

[yakstorm]

New clubs in Northern Territory
NRL NT has proactively taken steps to help establish two new Tackle and Touch football clubs in the NT for 2026. The first is in Livingstone, which is located just outside of Darwin and will take part in the main Metro competition which features Litchfield Bears, Darwin Brothers, Palmerston Raiders, Nightcliff Dragons, Northern Sharks and South Darwin Rabbitohs.

The Livingstone club is set to be called either the Spitfires and Jets.

The other new club being formed will be in Tennant Creek, reviving Rugby League in an area which hasn't played since 2016.

 

[yakstorm]

WA Men's Premiership expands
The NRL WA Men's Premiership will expand from six to 10 teams in 2026, with the Ellenbrook Rabbitohs, Kwinana Titans, Alkimos Tigers and Kalamundra Bulldogs set to enter a first division team.

Last year, the clubs involved in the main competition were the Rockingham Sharks, Fremantle Roosters, South Perth Lions, Willagee Bears, North Beach Sea Eagles and Joondalup Giants.

 

[Perth Tiger]

I would expect there to be some pretty heavy scores for the 4 new clubs in WA but I think it is great they are all coming in together as they should have enough games of a competitive standard against each other to hopefully raise to the standard of the established 6 within a couple of years.

 

[yakstorm]

I would expect there to be some pretty heavy scores for the 4 new clubs in WA but I think it is great they are all coming in together as they should have enough games of a competitive standard against each other to hopefully raise to the standard of the established 6 within a couple of years.

Agree. Even between the returning six, South Perth & North Beach put on some massive scores last year (eg. Lions defeated Joondalup 72-0 in one game), so almost guaranteed the newcomers will run up some big losses.

Having a bit more diversity in the competition will be good overall. Six teams playing 16 rounds plus finals felt very repetitive.