Following Round 26 we have our top eight and top four.
Finishing spots, and home ground advatange, are still very much up for grabs, as is the minor premiership. 2026 continues to bless us as league fans.
Round 26 produced some big scores, a kick off experimentation, a massive upset that may have ended a team's season and much more.
This week the Power Rankings take on a little different meaning.
I've re-aligned the top eight to reflect who is best placed to win the competition. The bottom nine also has some movement which will be explained.
Where did your team land on our NRL Power Rankings following Round 26?:
1. New Zealand Warriors (Last Week: 1)
The Warriors locked in a top two finish and guaranteed two home Finals via a 46-32 win over the Knights over the weekend.
Jett Cleary was brilliant on debut with try/four try assists (depending on which stats group you follow). Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark continue to boss the middle.
They host the Sea Eagles on Saturday afternoon. A win sets the target for the Panthers to match in what has turned into a shootout for the Minor Premiership.
2. Penrith Panthers (2)
The Panthers set up a mouth watering, Round 27 shootout for the Minor Premiership after beating the Bulldogs 24-10 on Friday night.
Dylan Edwards was breathtaking and could be Nathan Cleary's closest challenger for the Dally M medal. Liam Martin crossed for a double in an explosive performance.
They host the Tigers on Sunday, knowing they need to match the Warriors result, plus two differential points, to lift the J. J. Giltinan Shield.
3. The Dolphins (4)
The Dolphins locked in their first ever Top Four finish following their monster 26-12 upset over the Roosters on Saturday evening.
Selwyn Cobbo has locked in a wing spot for the Kangaroos while Herbie Farnworth has ended any discussion re the best centre in the game. I absolutely love Max Plath!
The play the Titans on the Gold Coast on Friday evening. Given the Roosters mass restings, the Phins will likely finish third.
4. Sydney Roosters (3)
The Roosters season has fallen off over the past fortnight. Their 26-12 loss to the Dolphins means they'll likely finish fourth.
Salesi Foketi has made that second row spot his over the past month. Naufahu Whyte had another monster game with over 230 run metres.
Trent Robinson has rested most of his squad against the Bunnies on Friday night. He has conceded and it looking bigger picture. Shame for the occasion.
5. South Sydney Rabbitohs (8)
Souths provided the highlight of the weekend, and probably the season during their 42-22 win over the Titans.
The pre-match Jai Arrow scenes will never be forgotten. Nor will David Fifita's effort to score against his old side. Cameron Murray's opening 40 minutes is as dominant a performance as I have ever seen!
A win over the massively undermanned Roosters guarantees them a home Final against the Knights. A 50 point win puts pressure on the Sharks to hold onto fifth.
6. Newcastle Knights (6)
The Knights were very, very good despite dropping to a 46-32 loss to the Warriors in Auckland this past Saturday.
Daniel Saifiti's send off complteley changed the game. Truthfully, they were a long way on top until the fatigue due to being a man down kicked in.
A bye this weekend allows a rest pre Finals. They'll either host the Bunnies or travel to Sydney for their return to Finals footy.
7. Cronulla Sharks (5)
The Sharks stocks have fallen off a cliff over the past month. Their 38-18 loss to the Eels on Sunday afternoon was the final straw for their Top Four hopes.
Will Kennedy could be forgiven for demanding the other players' deserts. He was so far above the rest of his teammates in terms of effort and performance.
Their game against the Storm doesn't really matter on Saturday night so I'm glad to see coach Craig Fitzgibbon finally blood some young stars. Eight weeks too late.
8. North Queensland Cowboys (7)
The Cowboys locked in Finals footy on Saturday night despite a shaky 24-10 win over the Tigers. Truthfully this was all about the result.
Tom Chester continued his rise as one of the game's breakout stars in 2026. Tom Dearden was very crafty on return from injury and will be better for the hitout.
Their home game against the Raiders on Saturday evening is a tune up for Finals. They'll want to win before heading to Sydney to (very likely) play the Sharks.
9. Manly Sea Eagles (11)
The Eagles walked through the Dragons to the tune of 44 points to 10 to send their Brookie fans home happy for the year.
Clayton Faulalo capped off a wonderful season and has a huge future. Haumole Olakau'atu was unstoppable. Almost literally unstoppable!
Foz and his boys have a chance to upset the Warriors and cost them the Minor Premiership. Manly are capable of anything so this could be fun.
10. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (9)
The Bulldogs season officially ended on Friday night thanks to a 24-10 loss to Penrith. Truthfully it was a steep climb for the better part of two months now.
Jacob Preston has surely confirmed his Kangaroos World Cup spot. Lachlan Galvin had two try assists yet still continues to split the fan base, every single week.
They should wrap their season up with a win over a clearly disinterested Broncos outfit on Thursday night. Fans will feel deflated and rightly so.
11. Canberra Raiders (10)
The Raiders enjoyed what should have been a perfectly timed bye. Unfortunately their Finals chances ended weeks ago.
Their final game of the season has seen them named super exciting prospect Coby Black for their trip to Townsville.
Canberra fans will be super deflated to not play Finals following their Minor Premiership heroics of 2025.
12. Melbourne Storm (11)
The Storm won the most inconsequential Grand Final "rematch" of all time 46-20 over the Broncos.
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown crossed for a highlight reel hat-trick while Stefano Utoikamanu looked like he was under 14s footy during his try.
They play the Sharks on Saturday night in the Shire. The result doesn't mean much but these games are never without incident.
13. Parramatta Eels (13)
The Eels recorded their second win in three weeks, against Top Eight opposition, via a 38-18 thrashing of the Sharks on Sunday afternoon.
Ronald Volkman's incredible form makes me second guess the Jarome Luai decision next year. I'm not the only one. Tallyn Da Silva continued his brilliant 2026. What a future he has.
Their final game of the season should see them walk through a Dragons team clearly focused on better things to come next year.
14. Brisbane Broncos (14)
The Broncos, and their fans, look desperate for the off-season to arrive. Their 46-20 loss to the Storm was insulting at times, such was the lack of effort.
Ezra Mam had a blinder, but largely was on his own.
Their final game of the year will probably see them lose to the Bulldogs on Thursday night. What a fizzer after their near flawless 2025.
15. Wests Tigers (15)
The Tigers were brave, and pretty good despite losing to the Cowboys. The 24-10 score-line seems a little unlucky. Felt closer.
Jarome Luai had two try assists before leaving the game early. I understand he had a quiet weekend otherwise ...
Tigers fans would take great joy in ruining the Panthers Minor Premiership party on Sunday afternoon. Hopefully the players have the same attitude.
16. St George Illawarra Dragons (16)
The Dragons brief rise looks a long way behind them as they limp toward the end of 2026. The 44-10 loss to Manly won't count for much but it wasn't fun viewing.
Tyrell Sloan continues to produce moments that have me wondering why the Red V are letting him go. Then he produces moments that have me question why he is even still at the club. Sums up the club.
Their home game against the Eels is all about pride. The off-season, and 2027, cannot come quickly enough.
17. Gold Coast Titans (17)
The Titans were awful, again, in their 42-22 loss to the Bunnies on Saturday afternoon. The worst thing I said all year was that I believed the Titans had turned a corner.
Oliver Pascoe can be very proud of his season. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui scored a wonderful try. Keano Kini ran for well over 260 metres. Unfortunately they all have to defend also.
They host the Cowboys on Friday evening in what should be a shootout.
