The Penrith Panthers' reign as the top dogs in the NRL has been dethroned, and it's the Roosters who now sit atop the Power Rankings. The Panthers' loss to the Warriors, coupled with a major injury blow, has seen them drop in the rankings. The Roosters, on the other hand, have been in fine form, with their recent win over North Queensland being their most convincing performance since June. The Warriors, too, have been in impressive form, with their defense being a key factor in their recent wins. The Panthers' drop in the rankings is further exacerbated by the news that they will be without Isaah Yeo for at least a few weeks, with no guarantee he will return before the finals. The Cronulla Sharks, meanwhile, have been in good form, but their recent loss to the Dragons has seen them drop behind the Panthers. The Dolphins, despite their impressive campaign, have been let down by their defense, conceding 70 points in their recent wins. The Newcastle Knights, under the leadership of Justin Holbrook, have been performing well, with their season being a solid campaign. The South Sydney Rabbitohs, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, with their recent losses to the Sharks and Raiders. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with their recent performances, have been a surprise package, with Stephen Crichton's switch to the halves being a key factor. The North Queensland Cowboys, despite their recent loss to the Roosters, have a dream run home, with their final three games being against the Eels, Tigers, and Raiders. The Melbourne Storm, despite their lacklustre season, have managed to pile on the points against the Sea Eagles. The Canberra Raiders, despite their recent loss to the Knights, have been unable to back up their minor premiership heroics from 2025. The Manly Sea Eagles, with their recent losses, have been sliding down the list, with their injury toll mounting. The Parramatta Eels, with their recent losses, have been struggling, with their injury curse striking again. The St. George Illawarra Dragons, despite being destined to get the wooden spoon, have jumped up in the Power Rankings thanks to their recent upset win against the Cronulla Sharks. The Gold Coast Titans, with their recent losses, have been feeling the rigours of a long NRL season. The Brisbane Broncos, with their recent losses, have been flaky at best, with their attitude on the field being a concern. The Wests Tigers, with their recent losses, have been struggling, with their final three games being away from home. Overall, the NRL season has been a rollercoaster, with teams rising and falling in the rankings, with the top eight stakes being claimed by the Roosters.
