The NRL world order is shifting. Can all-out attack topple the Panthers?

The rule of the NRL jungle is well known, and I don’t see it changing this year – you have to finish in the top four to win the premiership.

Last year the Broncos finished fourth with 36 points. In 2024, Cronulla set the cut-off at 38.

And even though we’re only just passing the halfway mark of this season, I’ve got the Panthers and Warriors already locked into a top-four finish. So two spots remain for two more title contenders – and this is where the 2026 run home gets really intriguing.

Here’s how I see the rest of the season playing out, the stars who will decide our title contenders, and a new NRL world order emerging.

No surprises here at all. They’re the title favourites and deservedly so. Their style, structure and systems hold them in such good stead and is custom-made for the biggest games on the calendar.

Even without the NRL’s best player, Nathan Cleary, and NSW and Australia captain Isaah Yeo, there was no change in Penrith’s approach in a quality Sunday night contest against the Warriors.

The big thing for Ivan Cleary compared to 2025 is that their stunning start this year allows them to manage and rest players when needed throughout Origin and leading into the finals. If Penrith stay fully fit, they’re going to be near-impossible to beat.

2nd: Warriors (20 points, nine wins, three losses, one bye left)

It is no surprise, given Andrew Webster worked under Cleary at Penrith and has successfully taken the same playing style to the Warriors, that they hold up under the pressure of big games and deserve all the success coming their way.

They’ll enjoy a huge groundswell of support in New Zealand, and young forwards such as Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga and Tanner Stowers-Smith add firepower to such a well-balanced pack.

My only worry is in the spine: do they have a serious X-factor among them come finals time?

MVPs: James Fisher-Harris, Taine Tuaupiki and their young forwards.

3rd: Roosters (18 points, seven wins, four losses, two byes left)

I’m not sold on the Roosters yet, because they’re so inconsistent and the difference between their good and bad footy is massive compared to other teams. Their ball handling can be absolutely horrible sometimes, and I wonder if they might need to switch Hugo Savala into the halves occasionally when they’re losing their way, as a steadying influence.

The Roosters’ roster should have them playing on grand final day. But the damning stat of how they’ve performed against powerhouses Penrith and Melbourne still stands – they’ve won just three of their past 27 against them.

7th: Dolp