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.
Brisbane Broncos
Grade: A
Record: 8 wins, 4 losses, +63 points differential
The men from Townsville might have been the competition’s first surprise packet, but the Brisbane Broncos have also performed far better than anyone was expecting before a ball was kicked this season.
They were always expected to march away from the bottom of the table after back-to-back bottom-four appearances, but the general expectation for Brisbane seemed to be that they might be able to get near enough to the top eight.
And even that was looking a bit of a stretch after five-match losing streak was capped off with a 40 points to 12 beatdown at the hands of the Penrith Panthers in Round 6.
They have been a different team since then though, going on a six-match winning streak to put themselves into the top four and well on the path to the finals.
Kevin Walters, like Todd Payten, has removed the doubters from his back, while the form of Adam Reynolds has been something like which we haven’t seen for some years after his role became one of game management at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
This is a Brisbane team firing on all cylinders, and while the Payne Haas drama has the potential to de-rail them, weathering that will have them in with a great shot of producing something special come September.
Best player: Adam Reynolds
Best win: Round 10, vs Manly Sea Eagles, 38-0
Worst loss: Round 3, vs North Queensland Cowboys, 38-12
