The Broncos and Panthers are timing their runs to perfection, while the Bulldogs have more questions than answers heading into the business end of the season.

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Read on four our Power Rankings ahead of Round 21!

1. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Analysis: The Raiders have won the most games this season with 15, including the last eight in a row, with the Bulldogs the next best with 13 and with a soft draw through until finals, they all but have the minor premiership locked up. The only knock on the Raiders is that they have had an easier fixtures list at times, but you can only beat who is in front of you and they have proven themselves the most consistent team in 2025. Whether their young guns can get it done in the pressure-cooker of finals remains to be seen, but they are deserved leaders of the power rankings.

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2. MELBOURNE STORM

Analysis: The Storm have been unusually inconsistent in 2025, but they remain premiership favourites given their experience and class across the paddock. Craig Bellamy was disappointed with his side’s commitment in their 18-16 loss to the Sea Eagles last start, but the Storm have a history of bouncing back after a loss and they will be primed for a big game against the Roosters this week. Provided they can get to the finals in good shape physically, the Storm have the most class players to go all the way.

3. PENRITH PANTHERS

Analysis: The Panthers were in last place early in the season, but they are well and truly back on track in their title defence. The Panthers’ 30-10 win over the Rabbitohs came without their two best players in Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, who are now freshened up for a run at the top four. With their big guns back on deck against the Tigers, Penrith will be looking for their seventh win in a row and given they have won four straight titles, no one will want to face them come finals time.

4. BRISBANE BRONCOS

Analysis: The Broncos are back on track with their 26-14 win over the Titans making it five straight wins before their bye in Round 20, as they make a push for a top four finish. Michael Maguire finally has his first choice spine available with Ben Hunt returning from injury to join Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds in arguably the best spine in the NRL. The Broncos next face the Eels and the Rabbitohs in a soft run home, but their big test will be playing the Storm twice in the final month of the regular season, which will show where their title credentials are at.

5. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Analysis: The Bulldogs are back in the winner’s circle after beating the Cowboys and Dragons, but it was anything but convincing and their remains doubts over their attack heading into the business end of the year. The Bulldogs are one of the best defensive teams in the NRL and deserve to finish in the top four. But the mid-season signing of Lachlan Galvin, who has now replaced Toby Sexton at halfback gives them an element of the unknown heading into the finals. Cameron Ciraldo has done an amazing job to rebuild the club, but it looks like their title hopes might still be a season or two down the track.

6. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Analysis: The Warriors are one of only four teams to win 12 games this season and they deserve their top four spot, but the loss of their halfback Luke Metcalf for the season has thrown their title credentials into doubt. Tanah Boyd has been solid in wins over the Tigers and Knights and the Warriors have a soft draw in the remaining seven weeks, which should see them finish in the top four. However, bigger battles await in the finals and it remains to be seen if they have the class in the halves to match the elite teams come finals time.

7. CRONULLA SHARKS

Analysis: After a mid-season slump the Sharks are back after beating two of their main rivals for a finals spot in the Dolphins and Roosters back-to-back. They next face the struggling Rabbitohs amid a soft draw in the final seven weeks and they look to be timing their run well. With Nicho Hynes finding form in the halves and Addin Fonua-Blake leading the charge up front, the Sharks are still a smokey for the title. Craig Fitzgibbon knows what it takes to win and he will have his team ready to give it a shake come September if they can get there.

8. DOLPHINS

Analysis: The Dolphins might be just outside the top eight at the moment, but their massive positive points differential of plus 169 means they can beat multiple teams to a maiden finals berth if they can just keep winning. In Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the Dolphins have two of the best attacking weapons in the game and they will be a nightmare opposition to face if they sneak into the finals. The Dolphins have the bye in Round 21, which could see them push into the top eight if the Sea Eagles or Sharks lose. That is followed by clashes with the Warriors away and the Roosters at home that could make or break their finals hopes.

9. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Analysis: Manly have had two byes and three wins in the last five weeks, which has seen them move into the top eight, but a tough run home will make it hard for them to stay there. The 18-16 victory over the Storm was huge for the side’s confidence and a team with Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic in it will be hard to handle come finals time, but the challenge will be getting there. Manly face the Bulldogs, Roosters and Raiders in the next three weeks and if they lose all three it could be lights out for their finals hopes.

10. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Analysis: The Roosters are right in the finals mix, but their poor points differential compared to the Dolphins and Sea Eagles will make it hard for them to crack the top eight. James Tedesco is on track to win the Dally M Medal and Sam Walker is back from injury, so the Roosters have the class to not only make the finals, but do some damage if they get there. But a tough run home that sees them play the Storm twice, the Bulldogs and the Dolphins and Sea Eagles could mean they have left their run too late. And Souths will be targeting their last round fixture like a grand final after their horror year.

11. WESTS TIGERS

Analysis: The Tigers have won two of their last three against the Roosters and Titans showing they are out to finish the season on a high, albeit without breaking their finals drought. It has been a tumultuous year for the Tigers with two of their best young players in Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva moving on, but they are much improved from the team that won three straight wooden spoons and avoiding the bottom four will be a win this season, given where they have come from. Clashes with the Panthers and Bulldogs before their final bye will be tough, but the Tigers can jag enough wins on the way home to avoid the wooden spoon and push out of the bottom four.

12. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Analysis: The Dragons have been competitive this season, but a mixture of a horror casualty ward and a lack of class players in key positions is likely to see them fade out late in the year. They were the better side against the Bulldogs last start, but couldn’t get over the line, which shows the gulf in class between the two teams. With a tough list of remaining fixtures starting with the Cowboys away next up, the Dragons are not out of the woods for the wooden spoon. The main issue for the club is their penchant for losing tight games.

13. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Analysis: The Cowboys have the worst defence in the NRL with a points differential of minus 163 and if they don’t turn things around fast the wooden spoon is not out of the question. Todd Payten’s side have lost their last three games and if they can’t beat the struggling Dragons at home in Round 21 things will only get worse before they get better amid a tough list of fixtures to finish the season. Todd Payten is under pressure and fighting for his job and Tom Dearden can’t do everything for the side, who just don’t seem like they want to tackle.

14. PARRAMATTA EELS

Analysis: The Eels have lost three in a row ahead of their clashes with the Storm and Broncos in the next fortnight and the decision to drop Dylan Brown shows they have put the cue in the rack for this season. The loss of their best player Isaiah Iongi to injury for the next four games means they will be fightoing to avoid the spoon. Jason Ryles is obviously planning for the future, but it remains to be seen how much damage losing each week is doing to his younger players. Mitchell Moses can’t come back quick enough this week, but he will not be a silver bullet.

15. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Analysis: The Knights’ last start loss to the Warriors to a try on the bell summed up their horror season. Newcastle have now lost their last three straight and face the Raiders and the Panthers either side of their final bye. Kalyn Ponga has committed himself to the club, but won’t play again until 2026, while the club have struggled in the halves for some time. But $13 million recruit Dylan Brown turned down the chance to join the club sooner. Given the players they have out, the Knights are a real chance of winning the spoon and Adam O’Brien is under pressure to keep his job beyond this season.

16. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Analysis: Few would have predicted Wayne Bennett would be fighting to avoid a first wooden spoon in his return season with Souths, but that is where the team is at. No doubt a brutal run with injuries is behind Souths’ horror season, but they have also struggled to show improvements both individually and as a team. Souths will be up against it beating the Sharks and Broncos in the next fortnight, before a series of spoon bowls against fellow strugglers that will decide their fate before a final round grand final against the Roosters that could decide their arch rival’s finals hopes.

17. GOLD COAST TITANS

Analysis: The Titans’ season was summed up by Des Hasler’s dressing room tirade at his players following their 21-20 loss to the Tigers last start. The Titans have now lost four games in a row and face the Warriors and Panthers in the next fortnight. The Titans have struggled to settle on a spine all season amid injuries to Keano Kini, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell and their big money forward David Fifita has struggled with form and fitness amid reports he could leave the club after falling out with Hasler. The Titans are favourites to win the wooden spoon in a hot race for the NRL’s most unwanted award.