The biggest weakness of every NRL finals team

September has arrived, and the start of finals footy is here, as eight teams are left fighting for the premiership. With every side making the cut, we take a look at the weaknesses that could bring their 2026 campaign to an end. Penrith Panthers: Halves Combination Arguably the most successful team in NRL history, the Penrith Panthers have once again found themselves in finals footy. The side secured their spot for a home finals game and look to lift the trophy for the fifth time in six years. However, the Panthers have faced several key injuries to their side and don't quite seem to know their best halves pairing yet. Will doubt around their halves prove to ruin the premiership favourites? Nathan Cleary has remained the star halfback for the majority of the 2026 season for the Penrith side. However, the team is making continuous changes to find their ideal five-eighth to combine with Cleary. Blaize Talagi looked to be the dominant five-eighth for the season, but due to his poor defensive efforts, Ivan Cleary dropped the 21-year-old. Jack Cogger was brought into the starting side but was handed a three-match ban for a high shot on Tyran Wishart in their Round 25 clash against the Melbourne Storm. Jack Cole has been named as the starting five-eighth since Round 25, as Cogger will miss the first week of finals. The combination of Cole and Cleary is an unproven halves combination, especially in finals. New Zealand Warriors: Finals inexperience The New Zealand Warriors have had a stunning season and have secured their spot for a home finals game. With the success the side has had during the regular season, can they continue their success in unfamiliar territory? The Warriors have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season, beating seven out of the eight top teams. With their current position on the ladder, the Warriors are entering the finals series as genuine premiership contenders rather than the underdogs. The New Zealand side has reached the finals 10 times since their inclusion into the NRL in 1995. They have made two Grand Finals, won one minor premiership, but are yet to lift the trophy. As their chances this year are looking promising, the Warriors need to find success in close and intense games. The Warriors have plenty of players who have played finals and won premierships, but as a pack, this is the first year they take on September together. Facing sudden-death games and finding success is vastly different to regular-season games. Without the experience of facing finals footy, the pressure could potentially derail premiership hopes. [caption id="attachment_237636" align="alignnone" width="2560"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 30: Tanner Stowers-Smith runs out ahead of the round 26 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium, on August 30, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] The Dolphins: Defensive consistency The Dolphins have marked the competition this year as they secured their top four spot in the regular season. Coming into the NRL in 2023, the club has found immense success early in their inclusion. However, the club has faced significant losses in games this season that show their inconsistencies in their defence. The Dolphins have put up great performances against many teams, but have also leaked significant points throughout their campaign. Losing to Manly 18-52 in Round 5 and their significant loss 0-66 to Cronulla in Round 19 raise alarm bells about their defence. Against a finals team, Redcliffe may only have a few genuine attacking opportunities; giving away tries or lacking momentum may prove costly. Redcliffe need to find a way to gain control, as teams have proven to achieve dominance and flush out the Queensland side. [caption id="attachment_236657" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Selwyn Cobbo of the Dolphins takes on the defence of Stephen Crichton of the Bulldogs during the round 10 NRL match between Dolphins and Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, on May 07, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Roosters: Sam Walker's injury The Round 26 clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins brought a significant loss in addition to the Roosters losing their top 2 spot. The Chooks star halfback, Sam Walker, sustained a high-grade syndesmosis injury. As the seven is ruled out for the foreseeable future, the club has to find a way to keep their premiership dreams alive. The Roosters have now been forced to change their spine to accommodate Walker's injury, and with finals footy here, this may very well be the end of the Sydney Roosters' premiership campaign. Daly Cherry-Evans will be launched into the dominant half in the Roosters' combination, with the club moving Hugo Savala from the centres into halfback. Savala has proven to be valuable to the Sydney side in the centres; however, can the halves pairing handle the pressure? Sam Walker has been able to provide creativity and control through the spine; now ruled out for at least the opening weeks of the finals, the rest of the Roosters spine need to take on that responsibility. The Roosters have been dominant and can tear teams apart, but with an injury at this time of the season to such a star, their premiership looks unlikely. Cronulla Sharks: Their finals history The current form of the Cronulla Sharks has dropped dramatically since their climb to the top eight. In addition, their history with finals games has brought consistent heartbreak for the club. Cronulla has made the finals many times, but has only made it to the grand final four times, bringing home one premiership. The club seems to fall short when pressure rises in finals, and with their current form, the same story may just rewrite itself. They have had impressive performances over the season but also significant losses that create cracks in their foundation. With their recent 38-18 loss to the Parramatta Eels followed by a final round blunder against the Storm, Sharks fans fear that the side peaked too early. Under Craig Fitzgibbon, the Sharks have made four finals and two preliminary finals, but have failed to reach the grand final and have often struggled to get it done against the top sides. Will the current squad of the Cronulla Sharks be able to overcome previous results? It's tough to see it happening. South Sydney Rabbitohs: Their second half South Sydney Rabbitohs have proved to be a dark horse this season; they have managed to clinch a top eight spot for finals footy. However, their ability to remain consistent through 80 minutes has shown to be a significant weakness for the club. The Bunnies have displayed impressive attacking plays that stump teams when trying to remain in the game. Maintaining their intensity after half-time exposes the team's liability; they have often let their opponent back into the game during the second half, almost causing big upsets. In finals, there is little room for a drop in play and poor second halves. If the Bunnies can find the form they have throughout the first 40 minutes of the game and bring 80 minutes of flying form, they may just be on track to lift the trophy. As the Rabbitohs come into September, opposing teams have nailed their attacking plays and consistency. If the South Sydney team don't maintain control throughout the game, their finals series will come to an end swiftly. [caption id="attachment_229902" align="alignnone" width="2560"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Thomas Fletcher of the Rabbitohs celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the round 25 NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Dolphins at Accor Stadium, on August 21, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Newcastle Knights: Injuries and suspensions The Newcastle Knights have had a turnaround season from last year, securing their spot in the finals. However, injuries and discipline may interrupt the underdogs in their campaign to win it all. Dylan Brown, their star halfback, suffered an ACL injury in Round 21, ending his season prematurely. Dylan Lucas, another breakout star for the side, sustained an ankle injury also in Round 21, ending his season. With the recent suspension of Jacob Saifiti, the forward will miss four games for Newcastle. Losing key players this late in the season disrupts their pack entirely, as there is little time to produce new combinations and have them ready for finals. Newcastle's depth will be tested against teams who have solidified their spines. The Knights have shown promise this season, but will the key absences in their squad take hope from Newcastle fans? North Queensland Cowboys: Inconsistency The North Queensland Cowboys have found their way back into finals footy this season, but their biggest problem has been their inconsistent form in producing their best football. North Queensland have shown they can compete against the best teams, but their performances haven't always been at the level required to win consistently. Finals football brings a lethal pressure that breaks teams' seasons in one game. As the Cowboys are in eighth position on the ladder, they must find consistent form to fight their way through the finals. Their inconsistency was evident in their Round 26 clash against the West Tigers. The Cowboys were trailing the Tigers at half-time, but found their form in the second half to win. Against a top eight side, a poor first half won't be enough to keep their premiership dreams alive.

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	PEN	24	18	6	42	336
2	NZW	24	18	6	42	310
3	DOL	24	17	7	40	156
4	SYD	24	16	8	38	118
5	CRO	24	14	10	34	149
6	SOU	24	14	10	34	113
7	NEW	24	14	10	34	42
8	NQL	24	13	11	32	-84

The biggest weakness of every NRL finals team

Eight contenders, eight potential problems

Newcastle Knights: Injuries and suspensions

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