The Bulldogs have surged up the NRL ladder as the race for a spot in the top eight heats up in the run to the finals.
Cameron Ciraldo’s side have found form at the right time of the year as the closest competition in recent memory comes down to the wire.
Last week’s upset over the Warriors lifted the Bulldogs to ninth on the ladder, just two points outside the eight, while the Raiders have also found their stride to enter the finals frame.
Just 10 points separate second and 11th, with 16 teams still in the mix to finish in the top eight.
With six rounds remaining in the regular season, every match has taken on greater importance as clubs battle to keep their finals hopes alive.
This is how every finals contender is shaping up in the final six weeks of the NRL season.
1st Panthers – 34 points, +284 for and against
Penrith maintained their two-point lead at the top of the ladder with a scratchy win over the Eels last weekend and they will travel to Mudgee on Saturday desperate to exorcise a few demons when they play the Raiders. The Round 22 match sets the foundation for a pivotal fortnight, with games against the Warriors and Roosters that will likely determine the minor premiership. Penrith are among the healthiest teams in the competition, with fullback Dylan Edwards and hooker Mitch Kenny expected to return in the coming weeks, while Jack Cogger will start at five-eighth in his return from suspension this weekend.
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This week: Panthers v Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Next week: Warriors v Panthers, Friday August 7 6pm (8pm NZST) at Go Media Stadium
2nd Roosters – 32 points, +85
A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal lifted the Roosters past Newcastle last week and into second on the ladder as they keep the pressure on Penrith at the top of the table. Crucially, the win puts them in the frame for a home final in the opening week of the finals as they fight to avoid a trip to Auckland to play the Warriors. James Tedesco and Rob Toia returned last week, however the Roosters were dealt a blow with the loss of veteran winger Daniel Tupou to a shoulder injury. A Thursday-night showdown with the Cowboys in Townsville will have a big impact on the finals picture.
This week: Cowboys v Roosters, Thursday 7.50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Next week: Roosters v Bulldogs, Friday August 7 8pm at Allianz Stadium
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Cowboys v Roosters: Round 22
3rd Warriors – 30 points, +190
The Warriors ran headfirst into the high-flying Bulldogs last weekend and came off second best, falling 18-6 at Accor Stadium. The loss dropped Andrew Webster’s side to third on the ladder in a congested top four. The Warriors have been up and down over the past month and will need to quickly find their stride to solidify their ladder position. A sizeable Warriors fanbase is expected to descend on Cbus Super Stadium for Saturday’s clash with the Titans and the supporters will look to help get their side over the line. The Warriors’ focus will then turn to a showdown with the Panthers next Friday night in Auckland.
This week: Titans v Warriors, Saturday 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Next week: Warriors v Panthers, Friday August 7 6pm (8pm NZST) at Go Media Stadium
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Titans v Warriors: Round 22
4th Sharks – 30 points, +161
Cronulla are peaking at the right time of the year and ran up a big score to topple the Sea Eagles last weekend. Halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes continue to dissect opposition defences, with Hynes’ precision goal-kicking playing a key role in the Sharks’ ability to keep stacking up wins. Cronulla are now level on points with the Warriors as they look to secure a top-four finish. Tom Hazelton missed the win over Manly but is expected back for Sunday’s crucial clash with South Sydney at Ocean Protect Stadium.
This week: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Sunday 2pm at Ocean Protect Stadium
Next week: Dragons v Sharks, Sunday 4.05pm at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium
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5th Dolphins – 28 points, +84
Last week’s bye handed the Dolphins a chance to freshen up ahead of the run to the finals and the troops are set to return over the coming weeks. Jack Bostock, Jake Averillo and Ray Stone have all been named in the 19 while star halfback Isaiya Katoa is in the reserves as he pushes to return from a broken wrist in Friday’s clash with the Dragons. The Dolphins sit fifth, two points behind the Sharks, but are only four points ahead of the ninth-placed Bulldogs and can’t afford to slip up if they want to play finals for the first time.
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This week: Dragons v Dolphins, Friday 6pm at WIN Stadium
Next week: Dolphins v Broncos, Saturday August 8 5.30pm at Suncorp Stadium
6th Rabbitohs – 26 points, +78
Campbell Graham’s late try last Friday night could prove pivotal in the run to the finals as South Sydney steadied the ship with a tense victory over the Storm. Consistency has been the Rabbitohs’ biggest challenge this year and they have another chance to pick up two crucial points when they face the Sharks on Sunday afternoon. South Sydney continue to battle a bulging casualty ward but if they can stay in the eight before the big names return, they will be a premiership force.
This week: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Sunday 2pm at Ocean Protect Stadium
Next week: Rabbitohs v Eels, Saturday August 8 7.35pm at Allianz Stadium
7th Knights – 26 points, +36
It’s been a tough few weeks for the Knights, who have now lost three-straight games by a combined five points and lost both Dylan Lucas and Dylan Brown to season-ending injuries. Newcastle have slipped to seventh and are just two points clear of the ninth-placed Bulldogs as they fight to maintain their place in the eight. The Knights have received a major boost with Kalyn Ponga named for Saturday’s clash with the desperate Broncos.
This week: Broncos v Knights, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium
Next week: Raiders v Knights, Sunday August 9 2pm at GIO Stadium
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Broncos v Knights: Round 22
8th Cowboys – 26 points, -28
The Cowboys claimed a tense Queensland derby victory over the Broncos last Saturday night to maintain their place in the eight, overcoming the pre-game loss of halfback Tom Dearden in the process. North Queensland have a Thursday-night showdown with the Roosters this week and can create some breathing room ahead of a chasing pack with a win.
This week: Cowboys v Roosters, Thursday 7.50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Next week: Titans v Cowboys, Thursday August 6 7.50pm at Cbus Super Stadium
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9th Bulldogs – 24 points, -58
The Bulldogs are the hottest team in the competition at the moment as they continue to surge up the ladder. Canterbury suffocated the Warriors in last week’s 18-6 victory and have now won six of their past eight games to rocket into finals contention. Cameron Ciraldo’s side is just two points outside the eight and riding a wave of momentum, with Stephen Crichton’s shift to five-eighth unlocking a new attacking style. A defensive focus has also played a key role in the turnaround, with the Bulldogs conceding just six points in their last two games.
This week: Storm v Bulldogs, Friday 8pm at AAMI Park
Next week: Roosters v Bulldogs, Friday August 7 8pm at Allianz Stadium
10th Sea Eagles – 22 points, +90
This week’s bye provides the Sea Eagles a chance to regroup as they look to get their finals campaign back on track. Four-straight losses have seen Manly drop out of the eight and they must quickly regroup to remain in touch with the sides above them on the ladder. While they are four points outside the eight, the Sea Eagles are still just one win back and have the talent and high-powered attack to mount a late charge.
This week: Bye
Next week: Storm v Sea Eagles, Saturday August 8 3pm (1pm AWST) at HBF Park, Perth
11th Raiders – 22 points, -35
Canberra have joined the Bulldogs in surging up the ladder and rocketing into finals contention in the past month. Ricky Stuart’s men have recaptured the form that saw them take out last year’s minor premiership and they are now just four points outside the eight. Five-eighth Ethan Strange continues to unleash his dynamic running game while Kaeo Weeks will be looking to recreate last year’s Miracle of Mudgee as the Raiders head north-west to take on Penrith on Saturday night.
This week: Panthers v Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Next week: Raiders v Knights, Sunday August 9 2pm at GIO Stadium
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12th Storm – 20 points, -12
Melbourne’s quest for a 16th-straight finals series was dealt a blow last week when Harry Grant injured his hamstring in a tight loss to the Rabbitohs. The hooker is set to miss the next two games before returning after the Round 24 bye and the Storm need to win at least one of those two matches if they want to keep their top-eight hopes alive. Melbourne host the Bulldogs this Friday before travelling to Perth to play Manly next week. Matches against teams also in the finals hunt take on even greater importance at this time of year and the Storm need four competition points from the two games.
This week: Storm v Bulldogs, Friday 8pm at AAMI Park
Next week: Storm v Sea Eagles, Saturday August 8 3pm (1pm AWST) at HBF Park, Perth
13th Titans – 18 points, -86
Josh Hannay’s men have won back-to-back games to keep their slim finals hopes alive as the Titans continue to show rapid improvement in the coach’s first year in charge. Halves Jayden Campbell and Zane Harrison are two of the most exciting young players in the game and can create points from nothing. With just six wins on the board, Gold Coast must run the table if they are to sneak into the top eight, starting with an upset of the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
This week: Titans v Warriors, Saturday 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Next week: Titans v Cowboys, Thursday August 6 7.50pm at Cbus Super Stadium
14th Broncos – 18 points, -132
Brisbane’s hopes of defending their premiership were dealt a blow last weekend when they fell to the Cowboys in the Queensland derby but the Broncos haven’t been eliminated from the finals picture just yet. With 12 wins the usual cutoff for eighth place, Brisbane must win their final six games to have a chance of sneaking into the eight. It’s a tough task but with Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Ezra Mam in the side, anything is possible.
This week: Broncos v Knights, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium
Next week: Dolphins v Broncos, Saturday August 8 5.30pm at Suncorp Stadium
15th Eels – 18 points, -182
Parramatta join the Broncos and Titans in needing to win their final six matches to keep their slim finals hopes alive. It’s a challenge that starts with a Sunday afternoon showdown with rivals the Tigers this weekend. The Eels showed they can match it with the top in last week’s tight loss to the Panthers, with Parramatta unlucky not to come away with the two points. With some minor tweaks, Jason Ryles’ men are a chance of stringing some wins together.
This week: Wests Tigers v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium
Next week: Rabbitohs v Eels, Saturday August 8 7.35pm at Allianz Stadium
16th Wests Tigers – 18 points, -208
The Tigers may have dropped to 16th on the ladder with last week’s big loss to the Raiders but Benji Marshall’s men still have the bye to come and have one more win than the Eels, Broncos and Titans. The path to the finals remains slim, with the Tigers needing to win their last five games to climb into the eight.
This week: Wests Tigers v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium
Next week: Bye
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