Round 23 saw the Finals race narrowed to nine. Which of those nine finishes were remains absolutely anyone's guess.
The Dragons upset win over the Sharks re-ignited a top four race that looked over. The Dolphins did their part with a magnificent comeback win over the Broncos.
Manly and Canberra saw their seasons end over the weekend will be looking to upset the apple cart in the run in to Finals.
At the top, the Minor Premiership race is the hottest I can remember. The Warriors 9.5/10 performance sent shockwaves through the competition and the below rankings.
Where did your team land on our NRL Power Rankings following Round 23's round of action?:
1. Sydney Roosters (Last Week: 2)
The Roosters ascend to top spot for the first time this season on the back of a scrappy win that actually further cemented their title credentials.
The 20-10 win against the Bulldogs saw them chase down a lead, quickly, overturn it and hold on. This despite missing James Tedesco. This was their seventh win a row.
A win over Penrith on Thursday night would see them become favourites for the Minor Premiership. They're the form team of the competition right now, undoubtedly!
2. New Zealand Warriors (4)
The Warriors played 75 minutes of perfect football on Friday night in beating the Panthers 28-12. From kick off they dominated and never really looked in trouble.
Luke Metcalf was near perfect on his return to First Grade and must surely be the number seven moving forward. Leka Halasima was literally unstoppable at times in the route.
They should walk through the Broncos, albeit in Brisbane, on Saturday night. A win there locks in a top four spot, and keeps their hopes of a home Final very much alive. It's the biggest advantage in the game right now.
3. Penrith Panthers (1)
They still sit atop the NRL table but their fourth loss in seven games sees the Panthers fall from top spot for the first time, potentially (from memory) all season.
It took 65 minutes for the Panthers to find any gears but by then the damage was done. The 28-12 loss only looks as good as it does due to a 10/10 five minute spell from Nathan Cleary.
The Minor Premiership could very well be on the line on Thursday night as Penrith host the hottest team in the competition, the Roosters.
4. Cronulla Sharks (3)
The Sharks brilliant run came crashing to a halt via a 24-16 loss to the Dragons. The reality check was brutal and reminded fans in the shire that there's a long way to go.
Nicho Hynes missed his chance at history and truthfully was probably the worst player on the park. Billy Burns was the only Shark that could hold his head high in an otherwise dud for the club.
They need to bounce the Raiders on Saturday afternoon or face another lost season. The "straight sets" talk has become loud ... albeit from fans of teams who saw their Finals hopes dashed weeks ago.
5. The Dolphins (5)
The Dolphins locked in Finals football, for the first time in the club's history, via the most amazing of victories over the Broncos on Saturday night.
They managed to overturn a 24-0 scoreline to win 40 points to 32. This came on the back of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Connelly Lemuelu try doubles and a career best game for Max Plath.
They'll start big favourites at Brookvale against Manly on Friday evening. They can keep the pressure on the Sharks with a win.
6. Newcastle Knights (7)
The Knights took a massive step toward a return to Finals footy on Sunday afternoon with their 30-24 win over the Raiders in Canberra.
Dom Young was untouchable in a two try, 200 run metre effort. Francis Manuleleua is a late shout (probably too late) for Rookie of the Year honours.
They'll surely beat the Titans, back at home, on Sunday afternoon and lock in a last to Finals turnaround no one saw coming.
7. South Sydney Rabbitohs (8)
The Bunnies put in 40 minutes of the worst football you'll ever seen in the second half on Saturday, conceding 24 points. Luckily they scored 28 in a near perfect first half effort.
Cody Walker looked on track for ten try assists in the opening stanza. The Bunnies were literally untouchable at times. The second half was gross and almost saw them lose.
Friday night's monster clash against the Bulldogs could very well decide the season for each time. A win here and they're playing Finals.
8. North Queensland Cowboys (9)
The Cowboys bounced back from their horror-show performance last week in thrashing the Titans 30 points to eight. The win puts them back in the driver's seat for Finals footy.
Jaxon Purdue, despite a stint in the Sin Bin was very, very good. Scott Drinkwater continued his run of good game, poor game, good game. Jake Clifford should never not be in this side.
They have a lay up game against the Eels, in Parramatta, on Saturday evening. That's what I'd say if I didn't have literally no idea what Cowboys side will turn up.
9. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (6)
Despite a brilliant effort on Friday now, the Dogs 20-18 loss to the Roosters leaves them a steep hill to climb to play Finals footy.
Jacob Kiraz crossed for two tries and threw his body at absolutely everything, again. They just lacked that quality late on to pinch this game.
They simply must beat the Bunnies on Friday night to be any hope of a top eight finish. A loss leaves too much to do.
10. Melbourne Storm (12)
The Storm overcame a 14-0 deficit early on to absolutely thump the Sea Eagles to the tune of 42 points to 20 on Saturday, in Perth.
Perth-bound Tyran Wishart was brilliant while fellow future Bear Nick Meaney nailed nine from nine from the tee. Hayden Watson is going to be a star.
Finals are gone but the win, and the bye this weekend, will provide plenty to enjoy for fans who are not use to pressure free footy at this time of year.
11. Canberra Raiders (10)
Any mathematical chance the Raiders may have had to play Finals footy ended via a 30-24 loss to the Knights, at home, on Sunday afternoon.
This was a cracking game and one Canberra looked like they could win until Corey Horsburgh's moment of pure madness. He's been linked with an exit that needs to come, for both parties.
They can play spoiler on Saturday afternoon against the Sharks. A win here really stunts their sparring partner's top four hopes.
12. Manly Sea Eagles (11)
Manly looked well on track for a famous victory against the Melbourne Storm yet, somehow, ended up losing the "contest" 42 points to 20.
If you only saw the full-time scoreline and I told you Manly were leading 14-0, I'd forgive you for asking for proof.
They host the Dolphins on Friday evening. They're playing for pride now, and dare I say their spots in 2026.
13. Parramatta Eels (13)
The Eels 28-24 loss to the Bunnies on Saturday summed up their season. They trailed 28-0 at half-time and looked on track to concede 60.
Their second half saw them score 24 unanswered points and almost snatch the contest late on. Truthfully they probably should have.
They host the Cowboys on Saturday evening. Your guess is as good as mine as to the result here. I swear these two teams hit "random" each week.
14. Gold Coast Titans (14)
No side in the sport, other than the Sharks, frustrates me more than the Titans. Two weeks ago they flogged the Dragons. Since then they've looked like they've never even seen a game of rugby league.
Their 30 points to eight loss to the Cowboys, at home no less, was terrible. Phillip Sami scored another try double and will leave the club as the highest try scorer in Titans history. Yay?
15. Brisbane Broncos (15)
The Broncos 2026 went from bad to worse on Saturday night after they choked away a match winning lead to their local rivals, the Dolphins.
To lose 40 points to 32 after leading 24-0 just shows this side is world's apart from their 2025 title winning selves. The opening 22 minutes was flawless. There's a positive.
I see no reason they won't lose yet again on Saturday night to the Warriors. This game should be a cracker and the crowd will be massive. Fun for neutrals.
16. St George Illawarra Dragons (17)
I know, I know. The Dragons have only won three games this season but you simply cannot convince me that they're the worst team in the competition right now. Especially after their 24-16 win over the high flying Sharks.
Clint Gutherson was superb and seems to have a personal rivalry with the Sharks. Hamish Stewart and Setu Tu were both standouts in arguably the Red V's best win of the season.
I'm 100 per cent backing them to handle the Tigers on Sunday afternoon. They'll likely end up with the wooden spoon regardless of the result but a very positive week for the fan base.
17. Wests Tigers (16)
The Tigers had the bye this weekend and stayed out of headlines. This sounds harsh but it's the first positive week for the Tigers in a month.
Right now I believe they're the worst team in the comp. They can prove me wrong on Sunday by beating the Dragons.
A loss here would heap pressure on Benji Marshall, who despite having a long-term contract must be feeling the heat from the seat beneath him.
