Round 26 set up a mouthwatering final round of the NRL season.
Unfortunately for fans of eight teams, the season is officially over and the off-season now looms. The Cowboys have wrapped up a 2025 season that won’t be looked upon positively.
For seven teams, Finals footy is locked in and the business end of the season is upon them.
For the Roosters and Dolphins, they have it all to play for this weekend. The Roosters can end all discussion on Thursday night with a win, but if they slip up, all attention will turn to Kayo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
This week sees a slight recalibration of the Power Rankings. The purpose of each NRL season is to win the competition. Rankings are now based on this.
Results are still the main contributor but context matters. Just see the Panthers result on paper vs. reality for all the proof you need.
With that said, we present the penultimate round of our NRL Power Rankings following Round 26:
1. Canberra Raiders (Last Week)
The Raiders wrapped up their second ever Minor Premiership via a brilliant 24-10 win in Canberra on Saturday afternoon. Feeding us all plenty of crow in the process.
Corey Horsburgh has been the revelation of the season and capped it off with yet another monster game. Jamal Fogarty and Joseph Tapine were, again, massive for the Minor Premiers.
Ricky’s men have earned the right to rest players in their final game against the Dolphins this weekend. No matter what happens from here, what a season.
2. Melbourne Storm (2)
Results have to matter but I’m not looking into Friday night’s result with any great urgency. I dare suggest Craig Bellamy may view it differently, though.
That second half in Melbourne was the stuff nightmares are made of. They were reduced to spectators at the Roosters ran in 40 unanswered points.
Expect to see the big guns back for their season closer in Brisbane on Thursday night. The Storm need to win this to kick-start their Finals campaign.
3. Brisbane Broncos (3)
The Broncos went a long way to wrapping up a top four spot on Saturday night by beating the Cowboys in Townsville.
Again, it was Reece Walsh who saw the Broncos’ best moments come to be. His post game celebration videos though, probably not ideal. Payne Haas is bossing people for fun.
A top four spot is on the line come Thursday night’s clash with the Storm. A win here and they become very, very dangerous.
4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (7)
The Dogs jump three spots here as their walk in the park victory over Penrith wraps up a top four spot. They now become the real deal.
The 28-4 victory can be taken with a grain of salt, considering the circumstances, but the Dogs did their part.Jacob Preston was arguably the player of the round with his three tries.
A clash with the Sharks presents a Finals preview this Saturday night. It will be interesting to see how many late changes eventuate for both teams.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 04: Connor Tracey of the Bulldogs scores a try during the round nine NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on May 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
5. Cronulla Sharks (6)
Despite a slow start, the Sharks got it done against the Knights with a minimum of fuss. They not await the Broncos result on Thursday night to keep their top four chances alive.
Will Kennedy started the game horribly but ended up best on ground. The Sharks’ bench dominated and swung momentum, just as you hope they would. Hynes had a good afternoon in the Shire sunshine.
Their clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday night shapes as a Finals preview. Just how much is on the line will already have been decided before kickoff.
6. Penrith Panthers (5)
Little, if anything, can be taken from the Panthers Thursday night loss to the Bulldogs.
The next few weeks will prove whether or not Ivan Cleary was right to rest 16 players. He handed the Dogs victory, let’s call a spade a spade.
I expect most of Penrith’s players to return and use the clash with the Dragons this Saturday as a tune-up for Finals.
7. Sydney Roosters (8)
At halftime on Thursday night the Roosters Finals chances looked to be slipping away. 40 unanswered points in the second half will calm your nerves though.
Four tries to Mark Nawaqanitawase lit up AAMI Park in the second stanza. Sandon Smith put himself in the shop window will a brilliant effort. James Tedesco wrapped up the Zero Tackle MVP Award and probably the Dally M.
To qualify for Finals they need to beat old rivals the Bunnies on Friday night. The smart money is on them getting it done.
8. New Zealand Warriors (4)
The Warriors top four hopes copped a brutal blow on Friday night. They will need both the Broncos and Sharks to come up short to regain that spot.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Leka Halasima and Chanel Harris-Tavita all did everything in their power to guide the Warriors home but it was not meant to be.
A difficult trip to Brookvale Oval awaits. Their fate may already be set by then but the Warriors need to find a win here for momentum heading into Finals.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 07: Jacob Laban of the Warriors is tackled by Chris Vea’ila of the Sharks during the NRL pre-season match between Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors at Sharks Stadium on February 07, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
9. The Dolphins (10)
The Dolphins kept their Top Eight hopes alive with an entertaining win over the Titans. They had to work hard for it, though.
Trai Fuller is so much fun. We need to see more of him. Tevita Naufahu looks a real talent. Isaiya Katoa continues to look the goods.
The Phins will know on Friday night if they have Finals footy hopes or not. That said, either wa,y I’d expect a big win against a resting Canberra side at Kayo.
10. Manly Sea Eagles (9)
I hate moving sides down following a win, especially a big one, but the fact is Manly are out of the competition. It would take three 50-0 results in their favour to qualify for Finals.
That said, this past Saturday afternoon’s 40-24 win over the Dragons was a beauty. Daly Cherry-Evans is finishing the season breathing fire, while Corey Waddell arguably had a career-best performance.
They’ll wrap up their season in front of a sold-out Brookvale Oval crowd where they host the Warriors. They’ll look to send DCE out a winner.
11. North Queensland Cowboys (11)
The Cowboys season ended on Saturday night with a 38-30 loss to the Broncos. A late try probably padded the score-line a little bit if I’m being brutally honest.
Jason Taumalolo was a monster in the middle. He needed more help. Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden had their moments.
A bye this weekend means their off-season starts early. A long, long off-season ahead. Literally.
12. Wests Tigers (12)
The Tigers game against Canberra went much like their season. Moments of brilliance, moments of being a distant second best. Like their season, it was more of the latter.
Jahream Bula has had a brilliant season and was again very good. He crossed for a try and topped the Tigers run metres. Something to build on there for sure.
The Tigers have the chance to hand the Titans the wooden spoon on Saturday evening. That’s a story in itself.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 20: Taylan May of the Tigers is tackled during the round 20 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans at Leichhardt Oval, on July 20, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
13. South Sydney Rabbitohs (13)
The Bunnies have a chance to end their horror 2025 on a massive high this Friday night.
Not only can they see Alex Johnston break the all time try scoring record but they can deny old rivals the Roosters Finals footy.
14. Parramatta Eels (15)
The Eels continue to deliver late victories, further annoying fans who will be asking where this was many weeks ago.
Isaiah Iongi, with his two tries, was best on ground and looks set for a three way shootout for Rookie of the Year honours.
They’ll end the season with a home game against the broken Knights. Should be party time at Commbank.
15. St George Illawarra Dragons (14)
The Dragons are absolutely limping to the end of the 2025 season. Despite moments of such promise, they’re likely to finish 10 competition points behind eighth spot.
Christian Tuipulotu and Jaydn Su’A were probably their standout players in their 40-24 loss to Manly. Jacob Liddle surely needs to start next season.
With Penrith set to welcome back some, or all of their stars this weekend, even a home game looks a tough ask.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 15: Hayden Buchanan of the Dragons warms up during the round 24 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons at Go Media Stadium, on August 15, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
16. Newcastle Knights (16)
The Knights started their game with the Sharks brilliantly only on Sunday afternoon, racing out to a 10-0 lead before being mowed down.
A 40/20 and attacking set on the Sharks line could have set up the most unlikely of victories, but instead another big loss eventuated.
They may need to beat the Eels to avoid the wooden spoon. It’s more likely they’ll need to rely on the Tigers to do them a favour.
17. Gold Coast Titans (17)
The Titans loss to the Dolphins followed the script from their entire season. Moments of brilliance. So much entertainment. Lots of points. A loss.
AJ Brimson has been the Titans best all season. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was big in the middle.
The Titans need to beat the Tigers, albeit at home, on Saturday afternoon, otherwise they’ll collect the wooden spoon. Does Des Hasler have one more coaching masterclass in him?