Current position: Second – 32 points, 13 wins, four losses, three byes, +98 points differential
Games against top 8: five.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: none.
Predicted finish: second.
The Bulldogs have hit the magic finals number with 32 competition points, but they’ve got a tough run home, which includes playing four top eight contenders in the final month of the season. How their attack progresses with Lachlan Galvin at halfback is the biggest focus at Belmore.
Current position: Third – 30 points, 12 wins, five losses, three byes, +218 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: one.
Wins to make top eight: one win from seven games.
Predicted finish: third.
Like the Bulldogs, Melbourne’s last month of the season will be a true test of where they’re at come finals time. Ryan Papenhuyzen’s lingering calf injury has disrupted the Storm’s first-choice spine, but Craig Bellamy’s concern is an inconsistency all season that’s been very un-Melbourne.
Current position: Fourth – 30 points, 12 wins, five losses, two byes, +36 points differential
Games against top 8: two.
Games against top 4: one.
Wins to make top eight: one win from seven games.
Predicted finish: fourth.
Sitting in a similar boat to Canberra having punched well above their weight over the first half of the season. The loss of halfback Luke Metcalf to an ACL injury looms large for the Kiwi side come finals, though.
Current position: Fifth – 26 points, 10 wins, seven losses, three byes, +80 points differential
Games against top 8: two.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: three wins from seven games.
Predicted finish: sixth.
For all the criticism and focus on the Broncos – so much of it self-inflicted – Michael Maguire has them sitting reasonably pretty in the final quarter of the season. They face Melbourne twice in the next seven weeks, which will be a good indication of whether they can mix it with the big boys.
Current ladder position: Sixth – 25 points, nine wins, one draw, seven losses, three byes, +45 points differential
Games against top 8: three.
Games against top 4: three.
Wins to make top eight: four wins from seven games.
Predicted finish: fifth.
The Panthers are on a six-game winning streak as they prepare to play the Tigers this weekend – a streak which should extend to nine with the Titans and Knights up after that. Their ability to contend for a fifth-straight premiership comes down to whether Nathan Cleary can stay fit.
Current position: Seventh – 24 points, nine wins, eight losses, three byes, +60 points differential
Games against top 8: three.
Games against top 4: three.
Wins to make top eight: four wins from seven games.
Predicted finish: eighth.
Manly were one of the biggest disappointments of 2025 so far, with all the drama around Daly Cherry-Evans’ future derailing their season, but shifting Tom Trbojevic into the centres and Lehi Hopoate to fullback has proven to be a masterstroke from coach Anthony Seibold. Their gutsy win against the Storm in Melbourne last week was proof of the team they can be. Now they need to turn up every week.
Current position: Eighth – 24 points, 10 wins, eight losses, two byes, +21 points differential
Games against top 8: one.
Games against top 4: one.
Wins to make top eight: three wins from six games.
Predicted finish: seventh.
Wins against the Roosters and Dolphins have taken Cronulla out of the danger zone, but Craig Fitzgibbon’s men can’t fall back into their mid-season form. Their run home is one of the easiest in the competition, and with a bye in hand means they should be playing football come September.
Current position: Ninth – 22 points, nine wins, nine losses, two byes, +169 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: four wins from six games.
Predicted finish: ninth.
Have found their mojo in attack, and then some, but need to keep winning after a dreadful start to the year. Injuries up front are a worry though, and after the bye this week they’ll face the Warriors, Roosters – who are also scrapping for a top eight spot – and Brisbane.
Current position: 10th – 22 points, eight wins, nine losses, three byes, +8 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: three.
Wins to make top eight: five wins from seven games.
Predicted finish: 10th.
The Roosters should be sitting in the top eight right about now, but the screws are coming loose in the halves. The return of Sam Walker was a welcome sight, but Trent Robinson’s decision to play Chad Townsend in the No. 6 instead of Sandon Smith could cost them the season as they scrap for points in these final weeks.
Current position: 13th – 17 points, six wins, one draw, 11 losses, two byes, -163 points differential
Games against top 8: two.
Games against top 4: none.
Wins to make top eight: six wins from six games.
Predicted finish: 11th.
The Cowboys could win all six of their final games, but they’re still unlikely to play finals footy. They’ve been one of the biggest under-performers in 2025, and despite a soft run home, losses to the Dolphins, Bulldogs and Storm in the past three weeks have all but sealed their fate.
Current position: 11th – 18 points, six wins, eleven losses, three byes, -58 points differential
Games against top 8: five.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: seven wins from seven games.
Predicted finish: 12th.
The Dragons will once again miss the finals in 2025. With all three byes out of the way, five games against top eight teams and an injury crisis, St George Illawarra will have their feet up come September.
Current position: 12th – 18 points, seven wins, eleven losses, two byes, -101 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins for top eight: six wins from six games.
Predicted finish: 13th.
The Tigers have improved this season, but after Lachlan Galvin’s exit rocked the club a six-game mid-year losing run was a return to the bad old days at Concord. They’ll avoid the wooden spoon but won’t be getting near finals this year.
Current position: 14th – 16 points, six wins, 12 losses, two byes, -90 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: one.
Wins to make top eight: impossible.
Predicted finish: 14th.
Newcastle won’t be making the finals this year. Simple as that.
Current position: 15th – 16 points, six wins, 12 losses, two byes, -149 points differential
Games against top 8: two.
Games against top 4: none.
Wins to make top eight: impossible
Predicted finish: 15th.
It’s too little too late for the Rabbitohs, and even with the soft run home, they aren’t making finals. Injury has plagues their season, but the loss of Latrell Mitchell and Keaon Koloamatangi is the final nail in the coffin for their season. Better luck next year.
Current position: 16th – 16 points, five wins, 12 losses, three byes, -149 points differential
Games against top 8: three.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: impossible
Predicted finish: 16th.
The Eels have shown promise in the past month, but with Mitch Moses missing large chunks of the season, and the entire squad effectively being overhauled, it was always going to be a tough year. The loss of fullback Isaiah Iongi with a hand injury makes the rest of the year that much harder, but there are good signs for 2026 with Tallyn Da Silva, Joash Papalii and Ryley Smith as part of the team’s roster.
Current position: 17th – four wins, 13 losses, three byes, -157 points differential
Games against top 8: four.
Games against top 4: two.
Wins to make top eight: impossible
Predicted finish: 17th.
Throw 2025 in the bin for the Gold Coast. The Titans are a big chance for the wooden spoon this year, and they’re likely to miss finals again in 2026 if they don’t get their act together in the off-season.
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