12 rounds are in the books for 2022, and with it comes the halfway point in the campaign, as well as the Origin window.
From the Penrith Panthers running away at the top of the table, to two of last year’s top four becoming two of the season’s biggest disappointments, there has been plenty to keep footy fans on their toes.
Add that to the Queensland teams becoming the competition’s biggest surprise packets, a sacked coach and the Warriors' impending return home whilst still in finals contention, and it has been an excellent first 12 weeks.
So, before things get just a little bit crazy this weekend, with new players, byes and then a Wednesday night game that stops the nation - well, not the nation, but the east coast anyway - it’s time to look back at the opening three months.
Here is how your team has performed during the opening 12 rounds on the Zero Tackle mid-season report card.
Keep in mind that these grades factor in pre-season expectations as much as they do form and results over the first 12 rounds.
North Queensland Cowboys
Grade: A
Record: 8 wins, 4 losses, +134 points differential
The first of two surprise packets, the Cowboys have come from the clouds to sit in third place on the table at the halfway point of the season with a stunning eight wins from their 12 games.
That’s even more miraculous when you take it back to Round 1 when they lost at home to the now last-place Canterbury Bulldogs in one of the more dour games you’re ever likely to see.
They hit back in the following weeks with a couple of wins, then had a loss to the Sydney Roosters where Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was injured.
Their form was so good after that though that he couldn’t get his spot back, with the club going on a six-week winning streak before finally running into a buzzsaw named the Penrith Panthers on Friday night in Round 12 at the foot of the mountains.
Scott Drinkwater’s form has made him undroppable, while Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend have performed far better than anyone ever thought they might have been able to.
Wins over the Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm have put them into the premiership picture, and now it’ll be intriguing to see how they handle six players in the Origin camp over the coming weeks.
Regardless, Todd Payten has thrown the doubters off the back and anything less than a finals appearance from here will be an abject failure.
Best player: Scott Drinkwater
Best win: Round 11, vs Melbourne Storm, 36-6
Worst loss: Round 1, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, 6-4
