A series of injuries and suspensions to top contenders has thrown the title race wide open as teams battle it out for finals positions in the remaining four rounds.
The loss of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen has created uncertainty around the end of the regular season for Premier League favorites the Panthers and Storm, while the Eels are flying despite an injury to Mitchell Moses.
Only eight teams will get a crack at the playoff game in September and push their claim for a first-place tilt.
Stream every game in every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and ad-free during the game on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The Panthers sit pretty at the top of the competition but there is a chasing pack led by the Cowboys, Sharks, Eels, Storm, Broncos, Rabbitohs and Roosters who are desperate to prove the premiership is not a one-man race single horse
The current ladder is set for a few more twists and turns before the end of the regular season, with a number of clubs fighting for the top eight and top four spots.
In The Run Home, foxsports.com.au looks at each team’s remaining four games and predicts how it will all play out based on the draw, form and injuries.
EXPECTED SCALE AFTER THE 25TH MEETING
1. Panthers (44 points)
2. Cowboys (40)
3. Sharks (38)
4. Eels (34)
5. Storm (30)
6. Rabbitohs (30)
7. Broncos (30)
8. Roosters (28)
9. Raiders (28)
10. Sea eagles (26)
11. Dragons (26)
12. Bulldogs (16)
13. Knights (16)
14. Warriors (14)
15. Tigers (8)
16. Titans (8)
SCHEDULED FIRST WEEK OF THE END
First qualifier: Panthers vs Eels
Second seed: Cowboys vs Sharks
First elimination: Storm vs Roosters
Second elimination: Rabbitohs vs Broncos
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NOT CONVINCING’: Tigers star’s backflip saga spins as Warriors reunion looms
‘ENGINEERED’: NRL accused of scapegoating Ricky with ‘harsh’ ban.
‘NOT IN OUR CLUB’: Payten reveals Thurston didn’t want him amid GF rancor
TEAM ANALYSIS: Reform of the Broncos’ back line; The knights remember the executor
Will Papali’i bounce back with $1.9 million and Tigers? | 07:26
CURRENT SCALE
1. PENRITH PANTHERS (38, +314)
run home: Storm (H), Rabbitohs (A), Warriors (H), Cowboys (A)
analysis: The loss of Nathan Cleary to suspension and Jarome Luai to a knee injury has put a real wrench in the works for the rest of the regular season, but the Panthers have been able to weather the storm so far. The pair won’t play again until the final, but fortunately they have a six-point lead in the race for first minor place and can finish this weekend given their commanding points differential.
Injuries: Viliame Kikau (hip TBC), Eddie Blacker (hamstring round 21), James Fisher-Harris (suspension round 24), Nathan Cleary (end of suspension), Jarome Luai (end of knee)
Projected results: WWWL
Expected finish: 1st (44 points)
2. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (32, +222)
run home: Roosters (A), Warriors (H), Rabbitohs (A), Panthers (H)
analysis: The Cowboys are on fire after taking care of business against a gutsy Bulldogs side and have a real chance to make the finals on the back of seven straight wins. Valentine Holmes is in the form of his life, while Jeremiah Nanai is second in the run-scoring list behind only Alex Johnston. Given that they are near full form after Jordan McLean was named to return this round, the Cowboys have a real shot at going from second to last in the space of a season.
Injuries: Kyle Feldt (round 22), Jordan McLean (round 22), Mitch Dunn (knee season), Heilum Luki (knee season)
Projected results: WWWW
Expected finish: 2nd (40 points)
Get all the latest NRL news, news and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Will Papali’i bounce back with $1.9 million and Tigers? | 07:26
3. CRONULLA SHARKS (30, +113)
run home: Tigers (A), Sea Eagles (A), Bulldogs (H), Knights (A)
analysis: The Sharks are riding high after a win over rivals the Dragons, and given their smooth run home, have all but cemented a top-four spot. Injuries to spine players William Kennedy and Matt Moylan are big blows, but given the form of Nicho Hynes, the Sharks can boost their playmaking department until they return.
Injuries: Connor Tracey (knock to confirm), Matt Moylan (round 22 frame), Royce Hunt (shoulder to confirm), Dale Finucane (suspended round 22), William Kennedy (ankle end), Sione Katoa (shoulder season ), Jack Williams (shoulder). season)
Projected results: WWWW
Expected finish: 3rd (38 points)
4. MELBOURNE STORM (28, +195)
run home: Panthers (A), Broncos (A), Roosters (H), Eels (A)
analysis: The Storm are back in the winner’s circle, and given their excellent pros and cons, a top-four finish is still possible. However, their growing casualty room is a real concern and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s season-ending knee injury and Jahrome Hughes’ shoulder injury threaten to derail their title aspirations. Cameron Munster was a revelation at full-back but the return of Nick Meaney and the unavailability of Hughes means he is needed in the halves this week. Justin Olam returns this week but there is a feeling his injury horror run could finally catch up with the Storm in the finals.
Injuries: Jahrome Hughes (shoulder TBC), Jack Howarth (shoulder round 21), Tepai Moeroa (shoulder round 22), Will Warbrick (chest round 22), Nick Meaney (shoulder / head knock round 22), Trent Loiero (back undefined) , Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee season), Reimis Smith (pectoral season), Christian Welch (Achilles season), George Jennings (knee season)
Projected results: LWLL
Expected finish: 5th (30 points)
Jahrome Hughes’ injury leaves a big hole in Storm’s side.Source: Supplied
5. PARRAMATTA ANGLES (28, +54)
run home: Rabbitohs (H), Bulldogs (H), Broncos (A), Storm (H)
analysis: The Eels beat the Panthers for the second time this season and made light work of the Sea Eagles, showing they have the team to go all the way if they continue to find some consistency ahead of the finals. A finger injury to Mitchell Moses threatened to derail their top four hopes but Dylan Brown has stepped up in his absence. How they fill the Moses void will have a lot of insight into where the Eels end up on the scale. However, if they are all fit in September, the Eels are a real drought-breaking title shot.
Injuries: Bailey Simonsson (round 22-23), Mitchell Moses (finger Round 24-25), Haze Dunster (knee season), Ray Stone (knee season)
Projected results: LWWW
Expected finish: 4th (34 points)
Dylan Brown’s brilliance is leading the Eels.Source: Getty Images
6. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITS (26, +108)
run home: Eels (A), Panthers (H), Cowboys (H), Roosters (A)
analysis: The Rabbitohs’ top four hopes are over given the form of their main rivals, but they appear to be peaking at the right time of the season. The Rabbitohs have a tough run home, but with the Eels and Panthers out of their means, Souths can have a bit of a run in the finals and if they can get Campbell Graham back at some point, it will be a scary proposition. September
Injuries: Campbell Graham (cheekbone round 22-23), Jed Cartwright (hamstring round 23), Hame Sele (hamstring round 23-24), Peter Mamouzelos (wrist round 24), Michael Chee Kam (thumb round 25 ), Liam Knight (knee) season), Jacob Host (shoulder season)
Projected results: WLLW
Expected finish: 6th (30 points)
7. BRISBANE BRONCOS (26, +51)
run home: Knights (H), Storm (H), Eels (H), Dragons (A)
analysis: The Broncos’ run came to an abrupt halt with back-to-back defeats that have all but ended their top-four hopes in the space of a fortnight. However, with the return of their troops, including Te Maire Martin and Herbie Farnworth in time for the final and with three home games to come, the Broncos can be back on track in time for September, but a first title since from 2006 seems a bit premature for that. equipment
Injuries: Jordan Pereira (TB illness), Albert Kelly (foot round 22), TC Robati (arm round 222), Herbie Farnworth (biceps indefinite), Patrick Carrigan (suspension round 25)
Projected results: WLLW
Expected finish: 7th (30 points)
Adam Reynolds’ Broncos are on the slide. Source: Getty Images
8. SYDNEY ROOSTER (24, +107)
run home: Cowboys (H), Tigers (H), Storm (A), Rabbitohs (H)
analysis: The Roosters were dominant against the Broncos and face a real test of how far they have come against the Cowboys in Round 22. Luke Keary is back to his best and is building a strong combination with halfback Sam Walker at the scrumbase. Trent Robinson looks like his side is starting to click at the end of the season, but a growing casualty room makes it hard to keep the anger going. The loss of Lindsay Collins is a big blow, but the return of Siosiua Taukeiaho and the signing of Matt Lodge can help set the stage for their star-studded backline to shine. As long as James Tedesco is in the team, write off the Roosters at your peril.
Injuries: Lindsay Collins (round 23 concussion), Siosiua Taukeiaho (round 23 cheekbone), Billy Smith (knee season), Sitili Tupouniua (knee season)
Projected results: LWWL
Expected finish: 8th (28 points)
9. CANBERRA RAIDERS (22, -33)
run home: Dragons (H), Knights (A), Sea Eagles (H), Tigers (A)
analysis: The season-ending Raiders have faced a serious setback with their loss to the Panthers, which has left them two points behind the eighth-placed Roosters on a poor points difference. The defeat was compounded by Ricky Stuart’s post-match spray on Jaeman Salmon, which saw him banned from the club for a week. In the field, Zac Woolford has been a revelation in the ruck, while Jamal Fogarty and Jack Wighton are showing what could have been had they played the whole season together. The Raiders have a soft draw but their poor points differential means they need to win their remaining four games and hope other results come their way.
Injuries: Joseph Tapine (ribs TBD), Ryan Sutton (head knock TBD), Semi Valemei (ribs TBD),…