In years gone by, the last couple of rounds of the NRL season have given coaches a chance to rest some stars before a finals run.
But, with just about every position in the top eight still up for grabs, no-one had that luxury heading into the penultimate round of the regular season.
That left a slew of stars in the firing line, and it’s cost major contenders in a big way, although it’s not all been bad luck. Some have brought it on themselves.
Here’s where your team sits before the final round of the regular season:
Melbourne Storm at Lang Park on Thursday, 7:50pm AEST
The Thursday night game will go a long way towards deciding the final make-up of the top four.
Brisbane have won seven straight games and are in the box seat for their first minor premiership this century, but also haven’t beaten the Storm since 2016.
The Broncos have lost 13 straight and 23 of past 25 games against Melbourne, but will win the JJ Giltinan Shield with a victory.
If they lose, they’ll be banking on Penrith losing to still claim top spot.
A 29-18 win in Canberra put the Broncos on top of the ladder and in control of their own minor premiership hopes.
Fullback Reece Walsh was once against instrumental with three try assists and a try and Selwyn Cobbo scored three down the right wing, but it wasn’t all good news.
Already missing captain and halfback Adam Reynolds with a calf strain, Brisbane lost star lock Pat Carrigan to a foot injury on matchday eve.
He was flown back to Brisbane for scans and the suggestion is he will miss the Storm game and likely a couple of weeks after that.
Walsh also gave everyone a fright when he was hobbling on his knee in the final few minutes of the game, although he insists he’s OK, but centre Kotoni Staggs will miss Thursday’s game after copping a one-match ban for a forearm shiver on Jordan Rapana.
North Queensland Cowboys at Penrith Stadium on Saturday, 5:30pm AEST
One of four games this weekend between two teams with finals aspirations, the Panthers have a top-two spot sewn up, but a win would give them top spot if the Broncos lose on Thursday.
They could also end the Cowboys’ season with a victory.
Penrith wasn’t ready for a Parramatta Eels team eager to end their season on a high.
The Eels, who have a bye this weekend and are out of finals contention, put on the sort of performance that took them all the way to last year’s grand final against the team that beat them in the 2022 decider.
Not only did the Panthers lose 32-18, a scoreline that flattered them thanks to two consolation tries in the final five minutes, they also saw five-eighth Jarome Luai go off with a dislocated shoulder that caused “significant damage”.
According to the club, he doesn’t need immediate surgery, but will be a long shot to get back in the finals.
Melbourne have been relatively inconsistent within games heading into their huge clash against fellow top-four side Brisbane.
The Storm have only lost twice to the Broncos since 2010 and the Thursday night showdown in front of a big crowd at Lang Park will set the tone for the weekend going forward.
They need to win and hope the Warriors lose to jump up to third.
