The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Team of the Year (TOTY) for 2026 features four players from Penrith Panthers, who take on Newtown Jets in today’s Grand Final. Selections for TOTY are based on the opinions of nswrl.com.au from player performances throughout the regular season.
The eight teams included in this year’s line-up is the largest representation since 2018 and reflects one of the most open NSW Cup seasons to date that saw 10 of 14 clubs still vying for finals qualification with a handful of games remaining.
In the No.1 jersey is Panthers fullback and NSW Cup Player of the Year Jaxen Edgar, who has been a constant threat at the back for the Minor Premiers with 16 tries (most of any fullback), 68 tackle-busts, 12 line-breaks, six try assists and an average 118 run metres. His memorable season also included a three-game stint in first grade with two wins, deputising for the injured Dylan Edwards.
He is joined on one wing by fellow Panther Jesse McLean whose experience came to the fore on numerous occasions in his 20 appearances, finishing third in the competition for run metres (3,112) and second in offloads (47) along with 14 tries, 13 line-breaks and 85 tackle-busts. South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Jordi Mazzone takes the other wing spot with most tries (23) and most line-breaks (25) from just 18 appearances, including an average 143 run metres and four games scoring three or more tries.
The centre pairing features standout Warriors recruit Jye Linnane and North Sydney Bears veteran Kieran Hayman. Linnane made a strong return from an ACL injury with 14 tries and 14 line-breaks while averaging six tackle-busts and 134 run metres in 13 matches. Hayman’s shift to centre saw him finish the year as leading point-scorer (244) with 11 tries and 99 goals – all without missing a game in 2026.
Two of this year’s NRL debutants in Javon Andrews and Toby Rodwell make up the halves for TOTY, both ending the season first and second respectively for try assists (26, 21) and line-break assists (29, 26). Andrews also recorded 23 offloads and 43 tackle-busts, while Rodwell averaged 326 kick metres and was equal-third for points scored (192).
The front row starts with Warriors’ Makaia Tafua at hooker, earning his first-grade debut in 2026, who was one of the keys to their late-season charge into the finals. He scored six tries for the season and made a huge 628 tackles (39 on average), the most in his position, from 16 games.
The props are North Sydney stalwart Phillip Makatoa, who eclipsed 100 NSW Cup games in a season that included 21 offloads with an average 107 run metres and 24 tackles at over 90 per cent efficiency, and St George Illawarra’s Jacob Webster who played 18 games while averaging 37 tackles and 131 run metres with 52 post-contact. The 23-year-old was rewarded for his form making five NRL appearances from Round 23-27.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs skipper Logan Spinks lines up at second row after a stellar 21-game season scoring 18 tries (third-most of any player), leading the competition with five charge downs, throwing 24 offloads and averaging 27 tackles.
Rounding out the 13 are Panthers Zakauri Clarke in the second row and Kalani Leuluai-Going at lock forward. Clarke was a sharpshooter for Penrith landing 90 goals and scoring five tries on the way to 200 points for the home-and-away season, had 52 tackle-busts and was defensively sound with 27 tackles per game.
Going-Leuluai, who joined his new club after claiming the 2025 Player of the Year and leading the Warriors to premiership glory, picked up where he left off with an average 130 metres including 53 post-contact and 34 tackles from 17 matches. His selection also marks a third TOTY appearance in four seasons for the 21-year-old.
THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT NSW CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR 2026
1. Jaxen Edgar (Penrith Panthers)
2. Jordi Mazzone (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
3. Jye Linnane (Warriors)
4. Kieran Hayman (North Sydney Bears)
5. Jesse McLean (Penrith Panthers)
6. Javon Andrews (Western Suburbs Magpies)*
7. Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters)*
8. Phillip Makatoa (North Sydney Bears)
9. Makaia Tafua (Warriors)*
10. Jacob Webster (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
11. Logan Spinks (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
12. Zakauri Clarke (Penrith Panthers)
13. Kalani Leuluai-Going (Penrith Panthers)
*Denotes NRL debut in 2026
