Round 25 looked as though it would be so straight forward.
Surely the Roosters would put the Tigers away and move closer to the minor premiership? Surely Canberra would beat the Broncos and stay in the finals race? Surely Newcastle would bypass Manly and end the Sea Eagles season?
No, nope and not even close!
Every game provided it's only talking points but here are just 20 from a shortlist of many more.
1. Shock news dropped during the week that Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is exiting his position post the World Cup. He'll head to St Helens in the English Super League. I'm expecting to see Cameron Smith named as coach, with Billy Slater as his assistant. Dream team!
2. With Slater stepping down as QLD coach, and Smith declaring himself unavailable, it looks as though Darius Boyd might be the frontrunner for the position. He has success coaching the Under 19s at Origin level and is undoubtedly a QLD great. Makes a lot of sense.
3. The Titans have finally made the right decision in allowing AJ Brimson to explore his options. I still believe Brimson is an elite fullback and is being paid elite fullback money. To have him be ok to ok-plus in the centres is a complete waste of resources. The Dogs and Sharks are a playmaking fullback away from being very dangerous. I hope he considers both very seriously.
4. Hudson Young is an absolutely magnificent, rep regular, footy player. That said, a million dollars for a second rower is very difficult to justify. It feels as though he's pushing for a tax free cash-in at the Chiefs and has priced himself out in Canberra.
5. Speaking of the PNG Chiefs, they are quietly putting together a side very capable of winning the Premiership ... if this were 2024. No doubt they've added a heap of stars but their title window is probably only a second or two before players age out.
6. Is anyone else driven round the bend by referees randomly calling "held" in tackles, despite the momentum still being there? So many times a player is driven backward only for the ref to randomly yell "held" and a penalty awarded. Players can't just stop due to the, stay with me here my friends, momentum! This needs looking at in the off-season for sure. Just award a play the ball like they do if the ball is passed post held call.
7. The Wests Tigers win over the Roosters was super unexpected. It has absolutely blown the Minor Premiership race wide open. The Roosters need to make up a near impossible points differential now, or hope both the Warriors and Panthers slip up. One point in differential separates the top two teams. This is a shoot out!
8. Unfortunately this was another week of several identical hip drop tackles leading to multiple different outcomes. I understand not all high tackles are the same but hip drops should almost always be a Sin Bin. I'm yet to see one that isn't a leg break risk. This tackle needs to be put in the rear view mirror.
9. Four class wingers will miss Team of the Year honours. It's absolutely the most difficult spot to decide upon. I think Tom Jenkins and Mark Nawaqanitawase will end up named but for Alex Johnston, Selwyn Cobbo, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dom Young to miss out seems harsh.
10. For the record, my team of the year is: Tedesco, Jenkins, Farnworth, Toia, Nawaqanitawase, Trindall, Cleary, Whyte, Brailey, Fisher-Harris, Papali'i, Olakau'atu, Clarke. There can be several arguments across those 13 for sure.
11. A few weeks ago I was sure that Justin Holbrook was headed for Coach of the Year honours. Although I would not begrudge him the win, Andrew Webster coaching the Warriors to within touching distance of the Minor Premiership surely has him as the favourite.
12. Canberra let down one of their all time great middle forwards, at home, in a a very winnable game. As a Sharks fan, I know the feeling. Despite the result, the occasion was absolutely magnificent and that walk on for Josh Papalii was truly special.
13. This blatant giving away a six-again infringement on the first or second tackle is really starting to wear thin on me. If teams give away an infringement, with the pure intention for the side to set their line, it should be a penalty regardless of where on the field it happens.
14. Speaking of six-agains, the Panthers and Storm really gave the referee no choice but to use the Sin Bin. The Storm seemed intent on pushing the limits right up until Oryn Keeley was sat down. The Penrith were daring the referee to return the favour before Lindsay Smith also spent ten in the bin.
15. The Bulldogs absolutely need to re-sign star second rower Jacob Preston. I just can't remember a time though where a team had the better part of two million dollars tied up in their second rowers. They really need to find a class nine and/or a playmaking fullback. Matt Burton is earning mega dollars to play centre also which further complicates things.
16. Kalyn Ponga has a real habit of either being the best player on the field, or the worst. There isn't a lot of in-between, and with the Finals looming, that is a real issue.
17. How bout the Bunker ruling the Dolphins incorrectly challenged on Friday night only to allow them to retain their challenge!? It was so early in the game so it has largely been glossed over but the Bunker clearly stated they were incorrect in their challenge ... yet allowed a retain? What a cop out.
18. Sam Walker now looks like the player we over react to, each and every single week. When he plays well, he's a future Immortal. When he has a below par game he is thieving a living. He may have taken the mantle from Nicho Hynes.
19. Mark Nawaqanitawase is special. It's a real shame he's headed back to the other code because he was produced some genuine highlights for the Roosters, NSW and Australia, that will be replayed for many, many years.
20. The Penrith Panthers are looking like they may become the first team in history in win a Minor Premiership whilst not knowing who their number one halves combo are. Jack Cogger looked to have maybe taken the mantle but his suspension rules him out until the second week of the Finals. Isaiah Iongi has been playing NSW Cup so he'll be fit but won't exactly be brimming with confidence. Jack Cole has 80 minutes of footy in well over a month.
