We are officially a quarter of the way through the 2026 NRL season, and the run to the State of Origin window is underway.
There have been surprises a plenty - both positive and negative.
Two coaches being sacked by this stage of the season has been the biggest shock, but with only one winless team left and three wins separating 2nd and 16th place on the table, the season feels as wide open as any in recent times.
The Penrith Panthers might be back to their dominant ways, but with a shake up of the rugby league landscape, and all of last year's top four sitting outside the top eight, there are plenty of opportunities for the season to continue shaking out in the coming months.
Here is every team's grade for the opening quarter of the season.
Newcastle Knights
Grade: B-
Current record: 8th place, 4 wins, 3 losses, 8 points, - 2
The Knights are awarded a higher grade than some might expect, but that all comes down to the fact they have been well above expectations to start the new campaign.
The eighth-place outfit have more wins than losses, and are yet to have a bye.
That is a big thing when ladder position is considered, because they still have a free two points to come when compared to a number of other sides.
Newcastle's spine is the big point of contention moving forward, with Sandon Smith and Fletcher Sharpe excelling while Dylan Brown was out, but the Kiwi international's return leading to a big loss on the weekend at the hands of the Roosters.
Given that followed a poor performance against the Tigers as well, you do have to wonder if the bubble has burst in the Hunter.
Best player: Sandon Smith
Zero Tackle MVP leader: Dominic Young (10th)
Prediction: 11th
