The last round of the 2026 NRL regular season has come to an end and the Panthers have finished atop the ladder.
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Here, foxsports.com.au has you covered with the rundown on how the ladder was finalised.
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1. PENRITH PANTHERS (42, +336)
Best-case finish: 1st
Worst-case finish: 2nd
Remaining games: Tigers (H)
Analysis: The Panthers bested the Tigers to leapfrog the Warriors.
2. WARRIORS (42 points, +310)
Best-case finish: 1st
Worst-case finish: 2nd
Remaining games: Win vs Sea Eagles (H)
3. DOLPHINS (40 points, +156)
Best-case finish: 3rd
Worst-case finish: 3rd
Remaining games: Win vs Titans (A)
Analysis: The Roosters’ loss to the Rabbitohs means the Dolphins are guaranteed third place and will play the Warriors in their qualifying final.
4. SYDNEY ROOSTERS (38 points, +118)
Best-case finish: 4th
Worst-case finish: 4th
Remaining games: Loss vs Rabbitohs (A)
Analysis: The Roosters are locked into fourth place and will take on the Panthers in their qualifying final.
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5. CRONULLA SHARKS (34 points, +149)
Best-case finish: 5th
Worst-case finish: 5TH
Remaining games: Loss vs Storm
Analysis: The Sharks are locked into fifth position despite the loss to Melbourne and will now face North Queensland in week one of the finals. Both teams are in poor form entering September, but one will still be in the fight for the premiership come the semi-finals.
6. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (34 points, +113)
Best-case finish: 6th
Worst-case finish: 6th
Remaining games: Win vs Roosters (H)
Analysis: The Rabbitohs are set to host Newcastle in an elimination final.
7. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (34 points, +42)
Best-case finish: 7th
Worst-case finish: 7th
Remaining games: BYE
Analysis: The Knights are guaranteed to finish seventh after South Sydney’s win will face the Rabbitohs in week one of the finals.
8. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (32 points, -84)
Best-case finish: 8th
Worst-case finish: 8th
Remaining games: Loss vs Raiders
Analysis: The Cowboys finish eighth after their heavy loss to the Raiders and will travel to face the Sharks in week one of the finals.