THE NRL is set for one of the most exciting runs home to September in recent memory with the tightly-congested nature of the ladder throwing up so many variables over the final eight rounds of the competition.
Even the fight to finish in the all-important top four looks like it could be twisting and turning all the way up until the completion of round 27 on September 3.
Back-to-back premiers Penrith (28 points) have done an outstanding job to be sitting on top of the competition ahead of the Brisbane Broncos (28 points) who look destined to right the wrongs of last season’s late-season fade out.
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The Sharks (26 points) are flying under the radar but need to prove they can mix it with the best sides starting with the high-flying Warriors (24 points) in round 20 and then a fair dinkum premiership gauge against the Panthers in round 22.
Melbourne (26 points) are always in the mix with all of their big guns fit in Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Big Nelson.
The Storm look perfectly positioned to make a run sitting in fourth and get an opportunity to make it an arduous run home for the Roosters (20 points) this Super Saturday.
The Roosters – plenty of experts prediction to win the title this year – look like they’re the side most in danger of missing the eight altogether.
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Champion coach Trent Robinson faces the biggest challenge of his career dating back to 2016 which is the only other time the Tricolours have missed the finals during his 11-year tenure.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has done an outstanding job to have Canberra (26 points) sitting in fifth position with a negative differential the only concern for the Green Machine at present.
The Warriors (24 points) are next in sixth with new coach Andrew Webster being in contention for Dally M coach of the year after the way he’s transformed the club into serious premierships contenders.
From the rejuvenation of Shaun Johnson to the improvement in players like Jackson Ford, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Wayde Egan and Dylan Walker, Webster has emerged as a long-term NRL coach due to the way he’s turned the Warriors around.
The Eels (22 points), Rabbitohs (22 points) and Cowboys (22 points) all need to continue winning although South Sydney do have the slight advantage of having two byes up their sleeve in the run home.
‘We just put a stake in the ground’ | 00:52
Parramatta have performed admirably to turn around a 1-5 start to the season but the Eels also have to contend with facing the Cowboys, Storm, Broncos, Roosters and premiers Penrith in the run home.
Manly (21 points), Gold Coast (20 points), Dolphins (20 points) and the Roosters (20 points) are in a log jam from 10th place to 13th.
Only points differential separates the Gold Coast, Dolphins and Roosters – which is where the Tricolours are facing a major challenge.
The Roosters have a minus 92 differential, the worst of any of the contenders looking to force their way into the top eight.
Who have you got making the finals or missing the cut?
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