NRL ladder predictor: The big issues facing South Sydney, Broncos, Cowboys and Roosters

Penrith’s greatest threat could yet come from outside the top-four, with one rival primed for a fairytale finish to the NRL season. See our full predictions.

Can Parramatta crack the NRL’s top four? Picture: Getty Images.

With three rounds remaining in the NRL season, the top eight is still not settled despite the Panthers near certainties to claim top spot.

Canberra, sitting in ninth position, will need nothing less than a miracle to make the play-offs but anything is possible, particularly if the teams a couple of rungs above them lose their nerve.

We look at the prospects of each contender, list their final three matches, premiership odds, plus predict the final top eight order.

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1st PANTHERS

38pts, PD +298

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $2.25, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 N/A

R23 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)

R24 Warriors (Bluebet Stadium)

R25 Cowboys (Queensland Country Bank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 1ST

Could go sun themselves in Bali for the next three weeks and still win the minor premiership, such has been the reigning premiers’ dominance this season. Which is no small thing, right? Despite being kept scoreless for the first time in seven years against Melbourne last start, Penrith were missing so many stars the result meant little. Ditto their upcoming Thursday Night Football clash, when they will be betting outsiders against South Sydney. Right now for coach Ivan Cleary, it’s simply of matter of waiting on that steady return of men like Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin and son Nathan — all of whom will make them the team to beat come September.

2nd COWBOYS

32pts, PD +208

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $9, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $1.01

R23 Warriors (Queensland Country Bank Stadium)

R24 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)

R25 Penrith (Queensland Country Bank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 4TH

In a week where rugby league results have seemed trivial, even inconsequential, it’s hard to gauge exactly where North Queensland sit given the tragic loss of 2015 premiership coach Paul Green. A week ago, we suggested the Roosters clash would reveal what sort of finals team the Cowboys would be. But only days on from their 32-18 loss, it’s hard to know if the result was an outlier, give the emotions of the day for so many within the club, or signs of a side not yet there with the title contenders. Personally, we’re tipping the northerners to be run down by Cronulla and Melbourne in coming weeks, which also impacts their hopes of a home town final in Townsville.

Cameron McInnes and his teammates will enter finals without playing a top eight side for several weeks.

3rd SHARKS

32pts, PD +137

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $8, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $1.01

R23 Sea Eagles (4 Pines Park)

R24 Bulldogs (PointsBet Stadium)

R25 Knights (McDonald Jones Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 2ND

Craig Fitzgibbon must surely confirm himself Dally M Coach of the Year if, as expected, his mob now win three straight and go top two for the NRL playoffs. Almost friendless back in summer, the Sharkies have been outstanding this year under one of the few rookie coaches recently to earn immediate success. About the only downside we can see right now is that, by the time of the NRL finals, the Sharks won’t have played a top eight side in six weeks. That’s a concern.

4th STORM

30pts, PD +211

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $5.50, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $1.30

R23 Broncos (Suncorp Stadium)

R24 Roosters (AAMI Park)

R25 Eels (CommBank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 3RD

Moving Cameron Munster to fullback has proved a masterstroke for Melbourne, who remain a genuine title chance while ever he stays fit and firing. After all, this is the same bloke who goes and wins Origin series with those Queensland sides that nobody gives a hope. So why not a Storm franchise that — while without the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Christian Welch — has Jahrome Hughes and Felise Kaufusi returning as soon as this week to join Brandon Smith, Harry Grant, the Bromwich boys, Justin Olam and big Nelson Asofa-Solomona? Despite facing only top eight sides from here on, we’re tipping Storm to win at least two of three to stay inside the all-important top four.

Underestimate Latrell Mitchell and his teammates at your own peril.

5th RABBITOHS

28pts, PD +134

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $10, Top 8 $N/A, Top 4 $4.25

R23 Panthers (Accor Stadium)

R24 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)

R25 Roosters (Allianz Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 5TH

“Look over your shoulder — we’re coming”. So said Latrell Mitchell after his Rabbitohs went and bashed Parramatta in their own backyard last Friday night. And who would disagree? This time a year ago, Souths got to a grand final without Mitchell. So how good can they be with him in? Outstanding since returning from that hyped American health sojourn, Mitchell and great mate Cody Walker have now assumed the mantle as rugby league’s most dangerous one-two combo. Then, of course, you throw in Cameron Murray, who gets fewer headlines but was still arguably best player on the field against Parra.

Corey Oates on the fly for the Broncos. NRL Imagery

6th BRONCOS

28pts, PD +69

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $29, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $12

R23 Storm (Suncorp Stadium)

R24 Eels (Suncorp Stadium)

R25 Dragons (Netstrata Jubilee Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 7TH

Te Maire Martin’s return has proved timely for Brisbane, who on Sunday arvo still struggled to finish off a Newcastle side whose year, in every sense, has now wound up in the toilet. Worse for Brisbane, their run to the playoffs now includes back-to-back games against Melbourne and Parramatta. While they’re unlikely to go deep into September, coach Kevin Walters’ ability to revive this Queensland powerhouse has been great for the game.

7th EELS

28pts, PD +28

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $17, Top 8 $1.03, Top 4 $11

R23 Bulldogs (CommBank Stadium)

R24 Broncos (Suncorp Stadium)

R25 Storm (CommBank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 6TH

What has happened to Parramatta’s hyped pack? Against South Sydney in Friday Night Football the Eels were, as coach Brad Arthur suggested, bashed up, steamrolled and torn to pieces. Despite missing star No.7 Mitchell Moses, the biggest concerns ran much deeper for the Slipperies — who appeared to be missing the physicality and ruthlessness required at this time of year. On the plus side however, they’re so wonderfully inconsistent they will likely go and put a big score on Canterbury this weekend.

Roosters superstar James Tedesco has the game to beat anyone on his day.

8th ROOSTERS

26pts, PD +121

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $11, Top 8 $1.08, Top 4 $23

R23 Tigers (SCG)

R24 Storm (AAMI Park)

R25 Rabbitohs (Allianz Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 8TH

First team to win a premiership from eighth? Certainly we’re tipping the Chooks will make the playoffs by winning two of their last three. Apart from having the side’s biggest names now back, players like James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii provide genuine strikepower from everywhere. And no matter your take on Matt Lodge, there is no doubting the 11th-hour recruit has added genuine grit to the Roosters middle. While they won’t finish top four, this mob could prove a nightmare proposition for any side who losses week one in the top half of the eight.

9th RAIDERS

24pts, PD -31

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $201, Top 8 $5, Top 4 N/A

R23 Knights (McDonald Jones Stadium)

R24 Sea Eagles (GIO Stadium)

R25 Tigers (Leichhardt Oval)

PREDICTED FINISH:  9TH

Despite all the drama surrounding coach Ricky Stuart this past week — and all the drama surrounding their backline this year — Canberra still remain a chance for the playoffs. To get there, however, they will have to win their last three games against Newcastle, Manly and Wests Tigers, and likely do so convincingly. Currently, Canberra sit a whopping 150 points behind the Roosters on differential.