Finals Tracker: Your team's path to the top-eight

The race for a spot in the top eight is heating up as the closest NRL competition in recent memory races towards the finals series. 

Just 10 points separates second and tenth, with 15 teams still in the mix to finish in the top eight. 

With just seven rounds remaining in the regular season, every match has taken on greater importance as clubs battle to keep their finals hopes alive. 

This is how every finals contender is shaping up in the final two months of the NRL season. 

1st Panthers - 32 points, +278 for and against

Penrith's lead at the top of the ladder has shrunk to just two points after last week's loss to the Broncos. The Panthers have wobbled slightly throughout the Origin period, winning just one of their last four games and will be desperate to get their campaign back on track against the Eels on Thursday night. The end of the Origin campaign will allow Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to commit their entire focus on the NRL season as Penrith chase the minor premiership and another title.

This week: Eels v Panthers, Thursday 7.50pm at CommBank Stadium

Next week: Panthers v Raiders, Saturday August 1 5.30pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

2nd Warriors - 30 points, +202 f/a

A tight win over St George Illawarra helped the Warriors close the gap to the Panthers to just two points as they chase their first minor premiership since 2002. Andrew Webster's men have overcome the loss of Tanah Boyd and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to ACL injuries while tireless prop Jackson Ford is pushing to return from a pectoral injury during the finals series. While the minor premiership is the primary goal, the Warriors still have plenty of work to do to secure a top-four finish as they look to hold off a large chasing pack. 

This week: Bulldogs v Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm at Accor Stadium

Next week: Titans v Warriors, Saturday August 1 3pm at Cbus Super Stadium

3rd Roosters - 30 points, +84 f/a

Trent Robinson's men just keep chugging along, holding off a spirited Melbourne Storm last week as they look to welcome back Origin guns James Tedesco and Rob Toia for Friday's clash with the Knights. The Roosters boast star power across the park and have been steadily building throughout the season to now sit just two points behind the Panthers. Level on points with the Warriors, for and against could be crucial in the race to the finals as they look to avoid a trip to Auckland in week one of the post-season.

This week: Knights v Roosters, Friday 6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Next week: Cowboys v Roosters, Thursday July 30 7.50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

4th Sharks - 28 points, +125 f/a

Cronulla have found their stride throughout the past month after an uneven start to the campaign to climb into the top four. A late lost to the Dragons saw the Sharks drop to fifth last year and that ultimately crippled their premiership chances. The desire to avoid a similar fate is driving Craig Fitzgibbon's men through what has developed into a Last Dance before a host of big names depart at the end of the year. The next fortnight is crucial with matches against Manly and South Sydney before a slightly easier lead into the finals. 

This week: Sea Eagles v Sharks, Sunday 4.05pm at 4 Pines Park 

Next week: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Sunday August 2 2pm at Ocean Protect Stadium

5th Dolphins - 26 points, +84 f/a

Kristian Woolf's men got their campaign back on track last Sunday as they look to secure their maiden top-eight finish. The upcoming return of Isaiya Katoa looms as a pivotal moment in their season, with the halfback leading one of the most exciting attacks in the competition. This week's bye gives the Dolphins the chance to freshen up before a trip to Wollongong and a Round 23 derby against the Broncos. While they currently sit fifth, the Dolphins are still just four points clear of the ninth-placed Sea Eagles and cannot afford to rest on their laurels after the week off.

This week: Bye

Next week: Dragons v Dolphins, Friday July 31 6pm at WIN Stadium

6th Knights - 26 points, +37 f/a

A pair of two-point losses have seen Newcastle fall into a precarious position on the ladder, just four points clear of the Sea Eagles. Such is the close nature of this competition, Newcastle are just as likely to finish in the top four as they are to slide out of the eight depending on how the next seven weeks play out. Friday's clash with the Roosters provides a crucial chance to stamp their top-four claims, while a loss could see them drop into dangerous territory. 

This week: Knights v Roosters, Friday 6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Next week: Broncos v Knights, Saturday August 1 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium

7th Rabbitohs - 24 points, +76 f/a

Consistency has been the biggest challenge for the Rabbitohs, who were left to lament a disappointing first half in Canberra last week. The loss came just six days after a spirited victory over the Knights and reflects South Sydney's turbulent season. Coach Wayne Bennett is the master at preparing his team for the finals and the potential return of Latrell Mitchell could provide the boost they need to solidify their place in the eight.

This week: Rabbitohs v Storm, Friday 8pm at Accor Stadium

Next week: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Sunday August 2 2pm at Ocean Protect Stadium

8th Cowboys - 24 points, -36 f/a

While they didn't secure the two points last weekend, there were plenty of positives to take from halfback Tom Dearden's successful return from an ankle injury. The Maroons star takes charge of a high-powered Cowboys attack that has had no issues scoring points this season. North Queensland have the benefit of a bye up their sleeve and four of their last six games at home as they look to hold off a chasing pack of rivals. 

This week: Cowboys v Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Next week: Cowboys v Roosters, Thursday July 30 7.50pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

9th Sea Eagles - 22 points, +126 f/a

It was a tough trip to the Gold Coast last week for the Sea Eagles, who fell to the Titans and lost Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury in the process. The positives, however, came elsewhere with both South Sydney and North Queensland also losing. That means the Sea Eagles remain just two points outside the eight with a bye to come in Round 22. Sunday's clash with the Sharks could be pivotal as Manly look to close the gap on teams above them on the ladder. Multiple sides are nipping at their heels and the Sea Eagles need to quickly recapture the Fozball magic from earlier in the year.

This week: Sea Eagles v Sharks, Sunday 4.05pm at 4 Pines Park

Next week: Bye

10th Bulldogs - 20 points, -70 f/a

It's been an impressive couple of months for Canterbury, who have won five of their past seven to pick themselves off the canvas and climb into finals contention. The return of star back rowers Jacob Preston and Viliame Kikau have reshaped this team on both sides of the ball, with the pair providing an instant boost.  Questions still remain about the side's best halves combination but Cameron Ciraldo has backed Stephen Crichton and Lachlan Galvin to steer the ship in the run to the finals. Crichton has been named at five-eighth in his return from a nerve injury in Saturday's showdown with the Warriors and the captain will play a key role throughout the next seven weeks. 

This week: Bulldogs v Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm at Accor Stadium

Next week: Storm v Bulldogs, Friday July 31 8pm at AAMI Park

11th Storm - 20 points, -10 f/a

They may have fallen short, but last week's tight loss to the Roosters showed Melbourne can still match it with the competition heavyweights. Last year's grand finalists have talent spread across the park, with Jahrome Hughes named to return from a hamstring injury for Friday's showdown with the Rabbitohs. The next three weeks loom as pivotal for the Storm's top-eight quest, with games against South Sydney, Canterbury and Manly before the bye in Round 24. Win all three and Melbourne could be sitting inside the eight with three games to play. 

This week: Rabbitohs v Storm, Friday 8pm at Accor Stadium

Next week: Storm v Bulldogs, Friday July 31 8pm at AAMI Park

12th Raiders - 20 points, -81 f/a

The Raiders are another team to hit their stride after a slow start to the season. Three-straight wins have kept Canberra's top-eight hopes alive, while Ethan Strange continues to develop into one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. The loss of Hudson Young to a season-ending Achilles injury hurts but Zzc Hosking has been in fine form and will thrive in his shift to the back row. Joe Tapine has also returned to his best form, while Kaeo Weekes can break a game open in an instant.

This week: Raiders v Wests Tigers, Saturday 3pm at GIO Stadium

Next week: Panthers v Raiders, Saturday August 1 5.30pm at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

13th Broncos - 18 points, 124 f/a

The 2025 comeback kings have launched their biggest comeback bid yet as they look to pull off a stunning turnaround to defend their premiership. Last week's win over Penrith was all we needed to see to know Brisbane have the talent to storm into the top eight before the season ends. It's a path clubs have travelled before, Newcastle sat 13th after Round 20 in 2024 before playing finals football and it's impossible to write off any side with Reece Walsh in it. 

This week: Cowboys v Broncos, Saturday 7.35pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Next week: Broncos v Knights, Saturday August 1 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium

14th Wests Tigers - 18 points, -162 f/a

It's been a tough few weeks for the Tigers but Benji Marshall's side remains optimistic they can snap a 15-year finals drought. The equation is simple, just keep winning. Victories over the Raiders and Eels in the next fortnight before the bye in Round 23 will have the side perfectly poised for a late charge into the top eight. History suggests 12 wins will be enough to play finals football, so the Tigers need five more victories to climb into the eight.

This week: Raiders v Wests Tigers, Saturday 3pm at GIO Stadium

Next week: Wests Tigers v Eels, Sunday August 2 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium

15th Eels - 18 points, -176 f/a

Parramatta may currently sit 15th on the ladder but a path has emerged for Jason Ryles' side to play finals, narrow as it may be. The Eels face a host of teams also battling for a place in the top eight and victories over the likes of the Tigers, South Sydney and Cowboys will have Parramatta within touching distance. It would be a monumental effort but Mitchell Moses remains one of the game's elite playmakers and is riding high after the Blues' State of Origin triumph. 

This week: Eels v Panthers, Thursday 7.50pm at CommBank Stadium

Next week: Wests Tigers v Eels, Sunday August 2 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium