After 27 weeks of the NRL competition, the cream has risen to the top with eight remaining to fight for the premiership trophy on the first weekend of October.
With plenty of sides showing strengths and vulnerabilities in recent weeks, intriguing questions emerge of who will make the significant moves during the play-offs series?
Here are the five biggest questions heading into Week 1 of the finals.
4. Can anyone stop Penrith when the games get serious?
The Panthers are building in strength despite fresh additions to the side this year ahead of the finals race in 2026, but left a solid reminder that they are the top dog after wrapping up the minor premiership in Round 27.
It's as simple as looking at their recent title record to understand why they are such a threat in the finals and are looking for their fifth premiership in six years.
Despite high-profile stars departing over their illustrious four-year run, rookie players step up and do the job, a major credit to their elite pathways and junior nursery academies.
With Nathan Cleary steering the side around, they will always remain a threat, and dropping the foot off the gas during last season would no doubt be burning Ivan Cleary as they prepare for a change of guard at the end of next season.
Isaah Yeo has also returned from his pec injury, and the club has registered six from nine wins to top 8 talent this year, with all the pieces starting to come together for yet another Penrith premiership assault.
