There are just two weeks remaining in the 2026 NRL season.
16 games.
And still plenty to play out, with multiple positional battles, and still the ability for the very make up of the top eight to look different by the time the knockout rounds commence.
On Monday, we ran through the best and worst-case scenarios for each team across those two weeks, but now we break down each individual game in Round 26, telling you exactly what each contest means for the make up of the final ladder.
Round 26
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos
Both the Storm and Broncos are out of finals contention. The Storm with a win could theoretically jump the Sea Eagles, although are a long way behind on for and against.
The Broncos, at the very least, are out of wooden spoon contention. A win here would move them equal with the Tigers and Eels ahead on the ladder.
Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Illawarra Dragons
The Sea Eagles are the last team left in finals contention, as mathematical as it may be. Their for and against isn't an issue given they are ahead of the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Rabbitohs ahead of them, but they must win against the Dragons to draw level with the Bulldogs, and, on the interim ladder at least, move within two points of the Rabbitohs and Cowboys.
The Dragons can still avoid the wooden spoon with a miracle. They are 131 points behind the Titans on for and against, so they need an enormous win to keep a slim chance of not finishing last.
Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs
The Panthers are in a three way logjam for the minor premiership. They sit equal with the Roosters and Warriors, with a for and against well ahead of the tri-colours, and one point behind the Warriors. Logic says they need to win.
The Bulldogs are also desperate. A win here moves them equal on points (for the time being) with the Rabbitohs and Cowboys, and more importantly, ahead of the Cowboys on for and against.
Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Titans are one win away from securing a not bottom of the table finish. It's really as simple as that for Josh Hannay's side. A win would also level them on points for the time being with the Brisbane Broncos.
The Rabbitohs are in a far dicier position. Their for and against is better than the Cowboys and Bulldogs behind them, so potentially, in the realms of realism, one win is enough for them to lock up a finals spot. A win would also move them level with the Newcastle Knights and in touching distance of the Cronulla Sharks as they potentially push for a home elimination final.
Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins
The hopeful return of James Tedesco for the Sydney Roosters will have Trent Robinson pushing his side for a turnaround in fortunes after their shock loss to the Tigers. That in itself could cost the Roosters the minor premiership given their for and against. They will, at the very least, know whether the Panthers have won or lost by the time they take to the field.
The Dolphins currently sit in fourth spot. A loss could be disastrous to their hopes of a double chance given the Sharks are two points behind them and have a better for and against.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers
The Cowboys return from their bye with the first of two home games to complete the season. Tom Dearden is also back in what is a must-win game. By the time they take to the field, they will know whether the Bulldogs have drawn level or not, and whether the Sea Eagles are still a mathematical chance of playing finals footy. On the flipside, wins could leave them a chance of hosting an elimination final.
The Tigers sit in 14th spot and can still rise to outside of the bottom four. A win would push them ahead of the Parramatta Eels for the time being, although not the Canberra Raiders in 12th who have the bye this weekend.
New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
The Warriors come into Round 26 at the top of the ladder, albeit by a single point on for and against. By the time they take to the field in Auckland, they will know what the Roosters and Panthers have done, but a win here, if results go their way, could go a long way towards locking up the minor premiership, or at the very least, a home qualifying final.
The Knights are lining up for their final game of the year. By the time they take to the field, they may be out of qualifying final contention, although for and against means they are pretty much already there. Getting ahead of the Sharks, or at the very least hanging onto sixth spot and a home elimination final, is their best hope with a win here.
Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks
Round 26 concludes with the Eels looking to fend off the Wests Tigers and potentially draw level with the Melbourne Storm. A loss could well drop them back to 15th spot on the table if the Tigers and Broncos both pick up wins earlier in the weekend.
The Sharks, on the other hand, will be hoping the Dolphins have slipped up so they can surge back into the top four with a win. A loss, if the Knights win earlier in the day, will leave them equal on points with the Hunter-based outfit who have a bye in Round 27, while the Rabbitohs and Cowboys could also move to within two points of Craig Fitzgibbon's side.
