# 2016 NRL season

The 2016 NRL season was the 109th season of professional rugby league in Australia and the 19th season run by the National Rugby League. The season started in New Zealand with the annual Auckland Nines, and was followed by the All Stars Match, which was played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, and the World Club Series. The season concluded on October 2 with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks winning their first ever premiership after 50 seasons, having entered the competition in 1967. The season was also noteworthy as it was the first time that all three Queensland based teams made the finals.

## Teams

The lineup of teams remained unchanged for the 10th consecutive year. The NRL's salary cap for the clubs' top 25 players was $A6.3M for 2016.
| Club | Season | Home ground(s) | Head coach | Captain(s) |
| Brisbane Broncos | 29th season | Suncorp Stadium | Wayne Bennett | Corey Parker |
| Canberra Raiders | 35th season | GIO Stadium Canberra | Ricky Stuart | Jarrod Croker |
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 82nd season | ANZ Stadium & Belmore Sports Ground | Des Hasler | James Graham |
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 50th season | Southern Cross Group Stadium | Shane Flanagan | Paul Gallen |
| Gold Coast Titans | 10th season | Cbus Super Stadium | Neil Henry | Nathan Friend & William Zillman |
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 67th season | Brookvale Oval | Trent Barrett | Jamie Lyon |
| Melbourne Storm | 19th season | AAMI Park | Craig Bellamy | Cameron Smith |
| Newcastle Knights | 29th season | Hunter Stadium | Nathan Brown | Jeremy Smith, Trent Hodkinson & Tariq Sims |
| New Zealand Warriors | 22nd season | Mt. Smart Stadium | Andrew McFadden | Ryan Hoffman |
| North Queensland Cowboys | 22nd season | 1300SMILES Stadium | Paul Green | Johnathan Thurston & Matt Scott |
| Parramatta Eels | 70th season | Pirtek Stadium & ANZ Stadium | Brad Arthur | Tim Mannah & Kieran Foran |
| Penrith Panthers | 50th season | Pepper Stadium | Anthony Griffin | Matt Moylan |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | 107th season | ANZ Stadium | Michael Maguire | Greg Inglis |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons | 18th season | UOW Jubilee Oval & WIN Stadium | Paul McGregor | Ben Creagh & Gareth Widdop |
| Sydney Roosters | 109th season | Allianz Stadium | Trent Robinson | Jake Friend |
| Wests Tigers | 16th season | Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt Oval & ANZ Stadium | Jason Taylor | Aaron Woods |

## Pre-season

The 2016 pre-season featured the third edition of the Auckland Nines competition, held over a weekend at Auckland's Eden Park in which the Parramatta Eels defeated the New Zealand Warriors in the final. The All Stars match was held on February 13 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The 2016 World Club Series took place in England with the NRL premiers North Queensland Cowboys defeating the Super League champions Leeds Rhinos in the World Club Challenge match.

## Parramatta Eels salary cap breach

The Parramatta Eels were faced with starting the season on -4 points due to salary cap indiscretions in 2015, however the NRL was satisfied with governance changes at the Eels and no points were deducted.
However, on 3 May 2016, after further salary cap breaches were exposed by the NRL, CEO Todd Greenberg announced the preliminary penalties of the club being fined $1 million, deducted twelve competition points, stripped of its 2016 Auckland Nines title and they were barred from receiving any further competition points until they fell under the salary cap, which they were reported to have exceeded by $570,000. Five officials (chairman Steve Sharp, deputy chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao, chief executive John Boulous and football manager Daniel Anderson) were also suspended indefinitely. On 12 May the NRL reported that Parramatta had fallen back under the salary cap for 2016 and were able to play for competition points again for their next scheduled game.
On 9 July, after over 2 months of club officials contesting the preliminary penalties, Parramatta were handed their punishment with the addition of their for/against points tally accumulated from rounds 1-9 being deducted.

## Regular season

| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | F1 | F2 | F3 | GF |
| Brisbane Broncos | PAR 13 | NZL 15 | PEN 1 | NQL 1* | GCT 8 | SGI 26 | NEW 53 | SOU 22 | CRO 2 | MAN 24 | NQL 1 | WTI 1 | NZL 18 | CAN 8 | X | CBY 26 | MEL 42 | X | SOU 20 | PEN 19 | SYD 16 | SGI 4 | PAR 22 | CBY 10 | MEL 10 | SYD 10 | GCT 16 | NQL 6* | | |
| Canberra Raiders | PEN 8 | SYD 1 | NEW 0* | GCT 4 | CBY 14 | PAR 30 | CRO 24 | WTI 54 | PEN 1 | SGI 4* | NZL 26 | CBY 12 | MAN 12 | BRI 8 | X | GCT 8 | NEW 4* | NQL 14 | X | NZL 4* | SOU 50 | CRO 16 | MEL 14 | PAR 10 | MAN 14 | WTI 42 | CRO 2 | PEN 10 | MEL 2 | |
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | MAN 22 | PEN 2 | PAR 14 | SOU 30 | CAN 14 | MEL 6 | NZL 4 | GCT 1* | PAR 8 | WTI 32 | SYD 12 | CAN 12 | CRO 2 | SGI 18 | X | BRI 26 | SYD 4 | WTI 10 | X | NQL 36 | SGI 3 | NEW 14 | MAN 4* | BRI 10 | NQL 8 | SOU 18 | PEN 16 | | | |
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | NQL 6 | SGI 28 | MAN 10 | MEL 8 | WTI 8 | GCT 5 | CAN 24 | PEN 2 | BRI 2 | NEW 62 | MAN 8 | X | CBY 2 | NQL 3 | X | NZL 1* | PAR 10 | PEN 16 | SYD 12 | NEW 32 | GCT 0* | CAN 16 | SGI 14 | SOU 6 | SYD 25 | MEL 20 | CAN 2 | X | NQL 12 | MEL 2 |
| Gold Coast Titans | NEW 18 | MEL 18 | WTI 12 | CAN 4 | BRI 8 | CRO 5 | SGI 5 | CBY 1* | MEL 38 | SYD 20 | PEN 4 | X | SOU 1* | PAR 10 | MAN 20 | CAN 8 | NZL 9 | X | SGI 20 | PAR 20 | CRO 0* | NZL 10 | WTI 1 | NEW 20 | PEN 1 | NQL 16 | BRI 16 | | | |
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | CBY 22 | WTI 14 | CRO 10 | SYD 2 | SOU 4 | NZL 16 | PAR 12 | NEW 16 | NQL 16 | BRI 24 | CRO 8 | X | CAN 12 | PEN 7 | GCT 20 | NQL 4 | SGI 30 | X | NZL 1* | SOU 8 | NEW 20 | PAR 1 | CBY 4* | MEL 20 | CAN 14 | PEN 30 | | | | |
| Melbourne Storm | SGI 2 | GCT 18 | NZL 7 | CRO 8 | NEW 4 | CBY 6 | WTI 1* | NZL 42 | GCT 38 | NQL 1 | PAR 12 | X | PEN 18 | SYD 46 | SGI 10 | WTI 9 | BRI 42 | X | NEW 4 | SYD 16 | NQL 8 | SOU 1* | CAN 14 | MAN 20 | BRI 10 | CRO 20 | NQL 6 | X | CAN 2 | CRO 2 |
| Newcastle Knights | GCT 18 | SOU 42 | CAN 0* | NZL 22 | MEL 4 | WTI 2 | BRI 53 | MAN 16 | SYD 38 | CRO 62 | WTI 8 | PAR 2 | NQL 30 | NZL 36 | X | SGI 12 | CAN 4* | X | MEL 4 | CRO 32 | MAN 20 | CBY 14 | PEN 36 | GCT 20 | SOU 22 | SGI 2 | | | | |
| New Zealand Warriors | WTI 8 | BRI 15 | MEL 7 | NEW 22 | SYD 4* | MAN 16 | CBY 4 | MEL 42 | SGI 16 | PEN 12 | CAN 26 | X | BRI 18 | NEW 36 | SYD 2 | CRO 1* | GCT 9 | X | MAN 1* | CAN 4* | PEN 4* | GCT 10 | SOU 19 | NQL 28 | WTI 12 | PAR 22 | | | | |
| North Queensland Cowboys | CRO 6 | PAR 4 | SYD 40 | BRI 1* | SGI 36 | PEN 5 | SOU 26 | PAR 16 | MAN 16 | MEL 1 | BRI 1 | SGI 4 | NEW 30 | CRO 3 | X | MAN 4 | SOU 20 | CAN 14 | X | CBY 36 | MEL 8 | WTI 12 | SYD 12 | NZL 28 | CBY 8 | GCT 16 | MEL 6 | BRI 6* | CRO 12 | |
| Parramatta Eels | BRI 13 | NQL 4 | CBY 14 | WTI 8 | PEN 2 | CAN 30 | MAN 12 | NQL 16 | CBY 8 | SOU 2 | MEL 12 | NEW 2 | X | GCT 10 | SOU 18 | X | CRO 10 | SYD 4 | PEN 4 | GCT 20 | WTI 15 | MAN 1 | BRI 22 | CAN 10 | SGI 12 | NZL 22 | | | | |
| Penrith Panthers | CAN 8 | CBY 2 | BRI 1 | SGI 2 | PAR 2 | NQL 5 | SYD 4 | CRO 2 | CAN 1 | NZL 12 | GCT 4 | X | MEL 18 | MAN 7 | X | SOU 2 | WTI 8 | CRO 16 | PAR 4 | BRI 19 | NZL 4* | SYD 20 | NEW 36 | WTI 30 | GCT 1 | MAN 30 | CBY 16 | CAN 10 | | |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | SYD 32 | NEW 42 | SGI 2 | CBY 30 | MAN 4 | SYD 7 | NQL 26 | BRI 22 | WTI 8 | PAR 2 | SGI 10 | X | GCT 1* | WTI 16 | PAR 18 | PEN 2 | NQL 20 | X | BRI 20 | MAN 8 | CAN 50 | MEL 1* | NZL 19 | CRO 6 | NEW 22 | CBY 18 | | | | |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons | MEL 2 | CRO 28 | SOU 2 | PEN 2 | NQL 36 | BRI 26 | GCT 5 | SYD 2 | NZL 16 | CAN 4* | SOU 10 | NQL 4 | X | CBY 18 | MEL 10 | NEW 12 | MAN 30 | X | GCT 20 | WTI 13 | CBY 3 | BRI 4 | CRO 14 | SYD 36 | PAR 12 | NEW 2 | | | | |
| Sydney Roosters | SOU 32 | CAN 1 | NQL 40 | MAN 2 | NZL 4* | SOU 7 | PEN 4 | SGI 2 | NEW 38 | GCT 20 | CBY 12 | X | WTI 14 | MEL 46 | NZL 2 | X | CBY 4 | PAR 4 | CRO 12 | MEL 16 | BRI 16 | PEN 20 | NQL 12 | SGI 36 | CRO 25 | BRI 10 | | | | |
| Wests Tigers | NZL 8 | MAN 14 | GCT 12 | PAR 8 | CRO 8 | NEW 2 | MEL 1* | CAN 54 | SOU 8 | CBY 32 | NEW 8 | BRI 1 | SYD 14 | SOU 16 | X | MEL 9 | PEN 8 | CBY 10 | X | SGI 13 | PAR 15 | NQL 12 | GCT 1 | PEN 30 | NZL 12 | CAN 42 | | | | |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | F1 | F2 | F3 | GF |
Bold – Opposition's Home game X – Bye * – Golden point game Opponent for round listed above margin

## Ladder

2016 NRL seasonvte :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 19 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 563 | 302 | +261 | 42 |
| 2 | Canberra Raiders | 24 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 688 | 456 | +232 | 39 |
| 3 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (P) | 24 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 580 | 404 | +176 | 39 |
| 4 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 584 | 355 | +229 | 34 |
| 5 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 554 | 434 | +120 | 34 |
| 6 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 563 | 463 | +100 | 32 |
| 7 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 506 | 448 | +58 | 32 |
| 8 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 508 | 497 | +11 | 27 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 499 | 607 | −108 | 26 |
| 10 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 513 | 601 | −88 | 24 |
| 11 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 341 | 538 | −197 | 24 |
| 12 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 473 | 549 | −76 | 22 |
| 13 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 454 | 563 | −109 | 20 |
| 14 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 298 | 324 | −26 | 18$^1$ |
| 15 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 443 | 576 | −133 | 16 |
| 16 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 305 | 800 | −495 | 7 |
$^1$ Parramatta were deducted 12 competition points and their for/against tally accumulated between rounds 1-9 for gross long-term salary cap breaches.

### Ladder progression

* Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
* Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
* Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
* Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
| | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 1 | Melbourne | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 42 |
| 2 | Canberra | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 |
| 3 | Cronulla-Sutherland (P) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 39 | 39 |
| 4 | North Queensland | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
| 5 | Brisbane | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
| 6 | Penrith | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| 7 | Canterbury-Bankstown | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| 8 | Gold Coast | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| 9 | Wests | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
| 10 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| 11 | St. George Illawarra | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| 12 | South Sydney | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
| 13 | Manly-Warringah | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| 14 | Parramatta* | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| 15 | Sydney | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| 16 | Newcastle | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |

## Finals series

A new format of extra time was introduced for the finals series where two additional 5-minute periods are played and if the scores are still tied afterwards, the next team to score wins.
The 2016 Finals series is notable as the first time three Queensland teams have all made the finals in one season.
Canberra also broke a long preliminary final drought reaching their first grand final qualifier in 19 years.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Crowd |
| QUALIFYING & ELIMINATION FINALS |||||||
| Brisbane Broncos | 44 – 28 | Gold Coast Titans | 9 September 2016, 8:00 pm | Suncorp Stadium | Gerard Sutton Gavin Badger | 43,170 |
| Canberra Raiders | 14 – 16 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 10 September 2016, 5:45 pm | GIO Stadium Canberra | Matt Cecchin Alan Shortall | 25,592 |
| Melbourne Storm | 16 – 10 | North Queensland Cowboys | 10 September 2016, 8:00 pm | AAMI Park | Ben Cummins Grant Atkins | 21,233 |
| Penrith Panthers | 28 – 12 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 11 September 2016, 4:15 pm | Allianz Stadium | Jared Maxwell Chris James | 22,631 |
| SEMI FINALS |||||||
| North Queensland Cowboys † | 26 – 20 | Brisbane Broncos | 16 September 2016, 8:05 pm | 1300SMILES Stadium | Matt Cecchin Alan Shortall | 23,804 |
| Canberra Raiders | 22 – 12 | Penrith Panthers | 17 September 2016, 7:50 pm | GIO Stadium Canberra | Ben Cummins Gerard Sutton | 21,498 |
| PRELIMINARY FINALS |||||||
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 32 – 20 | North Queensland Cowboys | 23 September 2016, 8:05 pm | Allianz Stadium | Ben Cummins Gerard Sutton | 36,717 |
| Melbourne Storm | 14 – 12 | Canberra Raiders | 24 September 2016, 7:55 pm | AAMI Park | Matt Cecchin Alan Shortall | 28,161 |
† Match decided in extra time.

### Chart

| Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| 10 Sept, AAMI Park | 10 Sept, AAMI Park | 10 Sept, AAMI Park | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Melbourne | 16 | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | North Queensland | 10 | 16 Sept, 1300SMILES Stadium | 16 Sept, 1300SMILES Stadium | 16 Sept, 1300SMILES Stadium | | | | |
| | | | North Queensland | North Queensland | 26 | | | | |
| 9 Sept, Suncorp Stadium | 9 Sept, Suncorp Stadium | 9 Sept, Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | Brisbane | 20 | 24 Sept, AAMI Park | 24 Sept, AAMI Park | 24 Sept, AAMI Park | | | |
| 5 | Brisbane | 44 | | | | Melbourne | Melbourne | 14 | |
| 8 | Gold Coast | 28 | | | | Canberra | Canberra | 12 | 2 Oct, ANZ Stadium | 2 Oct, ANZ Stadium | 2 Oct, ANZ Stadium |
| | | | | | | | | | Melbourne | Melbourne | 12 |
| 11 Sept, Allianz Stadium | 11 Sept, Allianz Stadium | 11 Sept, Allianz Stadium | | | | 23 Sept, Allianz Stadium | 23 Sept, Allianz Stadium | 23 Sept, Allianz Stadium | Cronulla-Sutherland | Cronulla-Sutherland | 14 |
| 6 | Penrith | 28 | | | | Cronulla-Sutherland | Cronulla-Sutherland | 32 | | |
| 7 | Canterbury-Bankstown | 12 | 17 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | 17 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | 17 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | North Queensland | North Queensland | 20 | | |
| | | | Canberra | Canberra | 22 | | | | | | |
| 10 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | 10 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | 10 Sept, GIO Stadium Canberra | Penrith | Penrith | 12 | | | | | |
| 2 | Canberra | 14 | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | Cronulla-Sutherland | 16 | | | | | | | | |

## Grand final

* Sunday, 2 October 7:35pm AEDT
| Melbourne Storm | 12 – 14 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Tries: Jesse Bromwich (50') 1 Will Chambers (64') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 2/2 (51', 65') | 1st: 0 - 8 2nd: 12 - 6 | Tries: Ben Barba (15') 1 Andrew Fifita (69') 1 Goals: James Maloney 3/3 (8' pen, 16', 71') |
* ANZ Stadium Attendance: 83,625
* Clive Churchill Medalist: Luke Lewis Referee: Matt Cecchin, Ben Cummins

## Regular season player statistics

The following statistics are at the conclusion of Round 26.
| Points | Player | Tries | Goals | Field Goals |
| 276 | Jarrod Croker | 17 | 104 | 0 |
| 185 | Johnathan Thurston | 2 | 88 | 1 |
| 185 | James Maloney | 5 | 81 | 3 |
| 176 | Cameron Smith | 2 | 83 | 2 |
| 162 | Michael Gordon | 5 | 71 | 0 |
| Tries | Player |
| 22 | Suliasi Vunivalu |
| 20 | Jordan Rapana |
| 19 | Bevan French |
| 19 | Valentine Holmes |
| 17 | Jarrod Croker |
| Goals | Player |
| 104 | Jarrod Croker |
| 88 | Johnathan Thurston |
| 83 | Cameron Smith |
| 81 | James Maloney |
| 71 | Michael Gordon |
| Tackles | Player |
| 1,279 | Jake Friend |
| 1,042 | Simon Mannering |
| 1,022 | Mitch Rein |
| 960 | Cameron Smith |
| 941 | Elliott Whitehead |

## Transfers
### Players

| Player | 2015 Club | 2016 Club |
| Dale Copley | Brisbane Broncos | Sydney Roosters |
| Mitchell Dodds | Brisbane Broncos | Super League: Warrington Wolves |
| Justin Hodges | Brisbane Broncos | Retirement |
| David Stagg | Brisbane Broncos | Retirement |
| Daniel Vidot | Brisbane Broncos | Super League: Salford Red Devils |
| Joel Edwards | Canberra Raiders | Wests Tigers |
| Josh McCrone | Canberra Raiders | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Frank-Paul Nu'uausala | Canberra Raiders | Super League: Wigan Warriors |
| David Shillington | Canberra Raiders | Gold Coast Titans |
| Dane Tilse | Canberra Raiders | Super League: Hull Kingston Rovers |
| Sisa Waqa | Canberra Raiders | FC Grenoble (French rugby union) |
| Trent Hodkinson | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Newcastle Knights |
| Antonio Kaufusi | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Retirement |
| Tim Lafai | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Frank Pritchard | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Super League: Hull F.C. |
| Corey Thompson | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Super League: Widnes Vikings |
| Tinirau Arona | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |
| Blake Ayshford | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | New Zealand Warriors |
| Michael Gordon | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Parramatta Eels |
| Jeff Robson | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | New Zealand Warriors |
| Anthony Tupou | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |
| Kalifa Faifai Loa | Gold Coast Titans | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Beau Falloon | Gold Coast Titans | Super League: Leeds Rhinos |
| Kevin Gordon | Gold Coast Titans | Retirement |
| Nate Myles | Gold Coast Titans | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Ben Ridge | Gold Coast Titans | Retirement |
| James Roberts | Gold Coast Titans | Brisbane Broncos |
| Aidan Sezer | Gold Coast Titans | Canberra Raiders |
| Dave Taylor | Gold Coast Titans | Super League: Catalans Dragons |
| Brad Tighe | Gold Coast Titans | Retirement |
| Matthew White | Gold Coast Titans | Melbourne Storm |
| Matt Ballin | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Wests Tigers |
| Cheyse Blair | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Melbourne Storm |
| Luke Burgess | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Super League: Salford Red Devils |
| Kieran Foran | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Parramatta Eels |
| James Hasson | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | N/A |
| Peta Hiku | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Penrith Panthers |
| Justin Horo | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Super League: Catalans Dragons |
| Dunamis Lui | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Willie Mason | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Super League: Catalans Dragons |
| Feleti Mateo | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Super League: Salford Red Devils |
| Jesse Sene-Lefao | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| David Williams | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Retirement |
| Matt Duffie | Melbourne Storm | Auckland Blues (Super Rugby) |
| Mahe Fonua | Melbourne Storm | Super League: Hull F.C. |
| Ryan Hinchcliffe | Melbourne Storm | Super League: Huddersfield Giants |
| Tom Learoyd-Lahrs | Melbourne Storm | Retirement |
| Kurt Mann | Melbourne Storm | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Dayne Weston | Melbourne Storm | Leigh Centurions |
| Adam Clydsdale | Newcastle Knights | Canberra Raiders |
| David Fa'alogo | Newcastle Knights | Retirement |
| Kurt Gidley | Newcastle Knights | Super League: Warrington Wolves |
| Chris Houston | Newcastle Knights | Super League: Widnes Vikings |
| Joseph Leilua | Newcastle Knights | Canberra Raiders |
| James McManus | Newcastle Knights | Retirement |
| Clint Newton | Newcastle Knights | Retirement |
| Tyrone Roberts | Newcastle Knights | Gold Coast Titans |
| Beau Scott | Newcastle Knights | Parramatta Eels |
| Nathan Friend | New Zealand Warriors | Gold Coast Titans |
| Konrad Hurrell | New Zealand Warriors | Gold Coast Titans |
| Sebastine Ikahihifo | New Zealand Warriors | Super League: Huddersfield Giants |
| Dominique Peyroux | New Zealand Warriors | Super League: St. Helens |
| Sam Rapira | New Zealand Warriors | Super League: Huddersfield Giants |
| Sam Tomkins | New Zealand Warriors | Super League: Wigan Warriors |
| Chad Townsend | New Zealand Warriors | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Glenn Hall | North Queensland Cowboys | Retirement |
| Robert Lui | North Queensland Cowboys | Super League: Salford Red Devils |
| Matthew Wright | North Queensland Cowboys | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Beau Champion | Parramatta Eels | Retirement |
| Richie Faʻaoso | Parramatta Eels | Retirement |
| Will Hopoate | Parramatta Eels | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Darcy Lussick | Parramatta Eels | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Ryan Morgan | Parramatta Eels | Melbourne Storm |
| Pauli Pauli | Parramatta Eels | Newcastle Knights |
| Joseph Paulo | Parramatta Eels | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Reece Robinson | Parramatta Eels | New South Wales Waratahs (Super Rugby) |
| Chris Sandow | Parramatta Eels | Super League: Warrington Wolves |
| Anthony Watmough | Parramatta Eels | Retirement |
| Lewis Brown | Penrith Panthers | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Jamal Idris | Penrith Panthers | Hiatus |
| Brent Kite | Penrith Panthers | Retirement |
| Apisai Koroisau | Penrith Panthers | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Sika Manu | Penrith Panthers | Super League: Hull F.C. |
| Nigel Plum | Penrith Panthers | Retirement |
| James Segeyaro | Penrith Panthers | Super League: Leeds Rhinos |
| David Simmons | Penrith Panthers | Retirement |
| Elijah Taylor | Penrith Panthers | Wests Tigers |
| Tim Grant | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Wests Tigers |
| Ben Lowe | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Retirement |
| Issac Luke | South Sydney Rabbitohs | New Zealand Warriors |
| Chris McQueen | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Gold Coast Titans |
| Daryl Millard | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Retirement |
| Joel Reddy | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Retirement |
| Glenn Stewart | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Super League: Catalans Dragons |
| Dylan Walker | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Dylan Farrell | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |
| Mark Ioane | St. George Illawarra Dragons | London Broncos |
| Heath L'Estrange | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |
| Peter Mata'utia | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Newcastle Knights |
| Trent Merrin | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Penrith Panthers |
| George Rose | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |
| Michael Jennings | Sydney Roosters | Parramatta Eels |
| James Maloney | Sydney Roosters | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Willie Manu | Sydney Roosters | Retirement |
| Suaia Matagi | Sydney Roosters | Penrith Panthers |
| Matt McIlwrick | Sydney Roosters | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Sydney Roosters | New Zealand Warriors |
| Jack Buchanan | Wests Tigers | Super League: Widnes Vikings |
| Josh Drinkwater | Wests Tigers | Leigh Centurions |
| Keith Galloway | Wests Tigers | Super League: Leeds Rhinos |
| Pat Richards | Wests Tigers | Super League: Catalans Dragons |
| Martin Taupau | Wests Tigers | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Ian Henderson | Super League: Catalans Dragons | Sydney Roosters |
| Jeff Lima | Super League: Catalans Dragons | Canberra Raiders |
| Michael Oldfield | Super League: Catalans Dragons | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Zeb Taia | Super League: Catalans Dragons | Gold Coast Titans |
| Elliott Whitehead | Super League: Catalans Dragons | Canberra Raiders |
| Mickey Paea | Super League: Hull F.C. | Newcastle Knights |
| Jordan Rankin | Super League: Hull F.C. | Wests Tigers |
| Tyrone McCarthy | Super League: Hull Kingston Rovers | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Adam Quinlan | Super League: St. Helens | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Pita Godinet | Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Joe Burgess | Super League: Wigan Warriors | Sydney Roosters |
| Dane Nielsen | Bradford Bulls | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Sam Burgess | Bath (English rugby union) | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Russell Packer | Imprisonment | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
Source:

### Coaches

| Coach | 2015 Club | 2016 Club |
| Trent Barrett | Country | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Mal Meninga | Queensland | Australia |
| Nathan Brown | N/A | Newcastle Knights |
| Anthony Griffin | N/A | Penrith Panthers |
| Kevin Walters | N/A | Queensland |

## Attendances

Total and average home attendances:
| Team | Games | Total | Average |
| Brisbane | 12 | 404,306 | 33,692 |
| Melbourne | 12 | 216,944 | 18,079 |
| North Queensland | 12 | 200,582 | 16,715 |
| Wests Tigers | 12 | 184,674 | 15,390 |
| Canterbury | 12 | 182,419 | 15,202 |
| Cronulla | 12 | 174,941 | 14,578 |
| Newcastle | 12 | 173,484 | 14,457 |
| Manly | 12 | 173,171 | 14,431 |
| Souths | 12 | 171,973 | 14,331 |
| New Zealand | 12 | 171,620 | 14,302 |
| Parramatta | 12 | 167,144 | 13,929 |
| Gold Coast Titans | 12 | 165,671 | 13,806 |
| St George Illawarra | 12 | 163,588 | 13,632 |
| Penrith | 12 | 153,820 | 12,818 |
| Canberra | 12 | 146,195 | 12,183 |
| Sydney Roosters | 12 | 122,820 | 10,235 |