Round 18 saw the back of the major Origin-hit rounds.<\/p>\n
This weekend saw wins at both ends of the table, literally, whilst seeing the seasons of both the Broncos and Tigers officially end.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere the Dolphins<\/a> incredible win streak due to an end, Newcastle continued to prove themselves and the Sharks continued their predictably unpredictable season.<\/p>\n Where did your team land on our NRL<\/a> Power Rankings<\/a> following Round 18?:<\/p>\n 1. Penrith Panthers (1)<\/p>\n The Panthers rebounded from two straight losses with a massive win (sans their Origin players) over the Bunnies on Friday night. The 36-14 win was a return to form.<\/p>\n Thomas Jenkins<\/a> crossed for another hattrick while Dylan Edwards<\/a> was absolutely monstrous at the back. Lindsay Smith<\/a> and Liam Henry<\/a> lead from the front with overy 180 run metres each.<\/p>\n The have the bye this weekend, allowing their scores of Origin stars to rest up before their Premiership charge.<\/p>\n 2. The Dolphins (2)<\/p>\n The Phins eight game win streak came to an end in Newcastle. A hugely Origin depleted side lost 13-12 to the red hot Knights.<\/p>\n Jake Averillo’s two try assist, 174 run metres provides an incredible stat line. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki<\/a> produced a massive night despite the pain of being left out of the Origin decider.<\/p>\n They host the Sharks on Saturday afternoon, at Kayo Stadium, in a game that could very well shape both teams seasons. Sign me up!<\/p>\n 3. Sydney Roosters (3)<\/p>\n The Sydney Roosters<\/a> sat out this weekend via the bye. Considering their Origin involvement, this had to be very welcomed.<\/p>\n They return this weekend, at home, in hosting the Eels. Their Origin stars are all named. It will be interesting to see who plays.<\/p>\n The Roosters are setting up a very real title charge over the next few weeks and months.<\/p>\n 4. New Zealand Warriors (4)<\/p>\n The Warriors had a full bye week to mull over their two point loss to the Dolphins<\/a> in Round 17. Fun stat, their last three losses have each been by two points.<\/p>\n They have a rare Friday night game in Australia<\/a> this week when they play the Tigers. <\/p>\n The Origin stars are back as are Leka Halasima<\/a> and James Fisher-Harris<\/a>. Amazing things are building.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 5. Newcastle Knights (5)<\/p>\n Newcastle’s one-point win over the Dolphins<\/a> on Sunday afternoon was their seventh in eight games. Their only loss during that time was a two point loss in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Dylan Brown’s 75th minute field goal was enough to bank two competition points, continuing his brilliant debut season in the Hunter. Fletcher Sharpe<\/a> has rep footy written all over him, across multiple positions.<\/p>\n They’ll start as favourites against the Bunnies, in Sydney on Sunday afternoon. With both of their Origin stars named to return, this should be a ripper!<\/p>\n 6. Cronulla Sharks (8)<\/p>\n The Sharks returned from their final bye of the season to heap more misery on the beaten Broncos on Saturday night.<\/p>\n KL Iro<\/a> won his direct battle with Katoni Staggs by some distance. Billy Burns<\/a> has done literally everything he can for the Sharks all season. Jesse Colquhoun<\/a> has rep footy in his future.<\/p>\n Saturday afternoon’s clash with the Dolphins<\/a> is a chance for the Sharks to prove they are the real deal… or not. I don’t even know if the Sharks know the answer to that.<\/p>\n 7. Manly Sea Eagles (6)<\/p>\n Manly fell to a shock loss at the hands of the Eels on Sunday afternoon. It was a huge short to their top four chances.<\/p>\n Lehi Hopoate<\/a> crossed for a try and run for a ridiculous 261 run metres. Joey Walsh<\/a> provided moments of great excitement for the future.<\/p>\n They’re back at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon against the Cowboys. This has game of the weekend written all over it.<\/p>\n 8. South Sydney Rabbitohs (7)<\/p>\n The Rabbitohs suffered a shock loss to the Origin shattered Panthers on Friday night. The Bunnies were missing plenty but this felt like a lost opportunity.<\/p>\n Cody Walker’s moment of madness cost them massively. Dayne Jennings<\/a>, luckily, was able to finally score a debut try, saving Walker a very difficult conversation. <\/p>\n Sunday afternoon’s home game against the Knights could serve as a real marker of what Souths really want to achieve in 2026.<\/p>\n 9. North Queensland Cowboys (9)<\/p>\n The bye this week surely saw the Cowboys relive their season saving win over the Panthers in Round 17.<\/p>\n With Tom Dearden<\/a> named in the extended reserves this weekend, the Cowboys are set to step it up with the run into Finals.<\/p>\n A Sunday afternoon clash with Manly shapes as a Finals preview this Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n 10. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (10)<\/p>\n The Dogs final bye this past weekend needs to be used to set up a potential Finals charge that looked unlikely a month ago.<\/p>\n Both the Dogs halves spent time in Origin camp this week which should be a huge plus.<\/p>\n They host the Raiders on Saturday evening in a must win contest. An outside crack at the Finals is very much on the line.<\/p>\n 11. Melbourne Storm (11)<\/p>\n The Storm’s second bye of the year meant they didn’t have to endure an Origin battered loss this past weekend.<\/p>\n Melbourne are two wins (given their awful points differential) outside of Finals spots. They need to be flawless from here.<\/p>\n Sunday evening’s home game against the Titans is simply must win. Everyone other fanbase will be cheering the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n 12. Parramatta Eels (14)<\/p>\n The Eels recorded one of their greatest wins of the season in defeating the Sea Eagles 23-14 on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n Isaiah Iongi<\/a> continues to be a real bright spark and shapes as the future in blue and gold. Jonah Pezet’s performance was what the Eels would have been expecting all season.<\/p>\n Saturday night’s game against the Roosters shapes as a tall task but if they want to be serious, they need to start winning these games.<\/p>\n 13. Canberra Raiders (13)<\/p>\n Canberra’s second bye of the season provided a brief respite from what has been a horror season to date.<\/p>\n The Raiders -115 points differential means their Finals hopes are almost certainly dashed.<\/p>\n Saturday evening’s away game against the Dogs has to result in a huge win if they are any kind of chance.<\/p>\n 14. Wests Tigers (12)<\/p>\n Unfortunately it looks like another lost season for the Tigers. Their 24-10 loss to the Dragons shapes as a genuine rock bottom.<\/p>\n Adam Doueihi<\/a> crossed for a double and would surely have been in Origin contention if he has stayed fit. <\/p>\n The Tigers need to turn Campbelltown Stadium into a fortress. That starts on Friday night when they host the Warriors.<\/p>\n 15. Gold Coast Titans (15)<\/p>\n The Titans had the bye this weekend, which hopefully helped them get to the bottom of their horror loss to the Dogs a week prior.<\/p>\n They return from their final bye of the season via a Sunday evening clash with the Storm.<\/p>\n Despite a few moments of excitement, the Titans Finals hopes ended many weeks ago. It’s all about 2027 now.<\/p>\n 16. St George Illawarra Dragons (17)<\/p>\n I’m unsure how moving a side with only two wins this season off the bottom here will be received, but I’d much rather be a Dragons fan right than a Broncos fan. By a wide margin.<\/p>\n The Dragons beat the Tigers 24-10 on Saturday evening on the back of Valentine Holmes<\/a> playing his best game in the Red V. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga<\/a> continues to show why the club fought to keep him at the Dragons.<\/p>\n Their final bye of the weekend comes at a good time. They can now set up a run home to build for next year when the calvary truly arrives.<\/p>\n 17. Brisbane Broncos (16)<\/p>\n I am fully aware that the Broncos are three wins better than the Dragons, but right now the Broncos are the worst team in the competition.<\/p>\n They were brave against the Sharks but it was their eighth loss in a row. Media personalities are drawing up lists of potential next coaches. <\/p>\n A bye this weekend won’t allow the club to escape from any scrutiny. Their fall off from their 2025 selves is all time. I have no answers. Neither do the Broncos brass.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Round 18 saw the back of the major Origin-hit rounds. 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