NRL 2022 ladder predictor: Top eight, finals contenders, premiership odds

A month ago the Broncos were in line for a top-four finish... now they’re in danger of missing the finals all together. See our full ladder predictions.

With two rounds remaining the race NRL finals spots remains wide open. The only guarantee is that Penrith will be minor premiers but the rest of the top-eight positions are up for grabs.

The Cowboys, Sharks, Storm, Eels and Roosters can all still finish top four, while Raiders are still in the hunt to potentially knock either the Roosters, Rabbitohs or Broncos out of the finals.

Ahead of some blockbuster matches this round we analyse the chances of the remaining contenders, with all the match-ups, betting odds, best and worst case finish – plus our predicted finish.

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The run home to the NRL finals.

1st PANTHERS

40pts, PD +302

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

R24 Warriors (Bluebet Stadium)

R25 Cowboys (Queensland Country Bank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 1ST

Highest finish: 1st

Lowest finish: 1st

Should cruise past the Warriors this week and then take on the Cowboys in the final round, who the Panthers beat 22-0 in round 12 at Penrith. Even though the reigning premiers are guaranteed top spot, if they beat the Cowboys next week that should set up a rematch in week one of the finals. They were outstanding beating South Sydney without Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris, the latter of whom is expected back for Friday night’s clash but it wouldn’t surprise to see Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau rested.

The Panthers have already secured the minor premiership and will welcome back their injured and suspended stars before finals. Picture: Getty Images.

2nd COWBOYS

34pts, PD +252

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

R24 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)

R25 Penrith (Queensland Country Bank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 4TH

Highest finish: 2nd

Lowest finish: 4th

A spectacular season is in danger of crashing back to earth unless the Cowboys prove us wrong again. Need to win both remaining regular-season games against the Rabbitohs and Panthers to guarantee a home final, but will start outsiders in both. Likely to back up against the Panthers in week one of the finals. It certainly doesn’t help that Tom Dearden has suffered a ruptured testicle that will sideline him for at least this round. Ben Hampton is tipped to cover five-eighth.

3rd SHARKS

34pts, PD +171

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

R24 Bulldogs (PointsBet Stadium)

R25 Knights (McDonald Jones Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 2ND

Highest finish: 2nd

Lowest finish: 4th

Have won their last four games and it would be a major shock to see the Sharks go down to either the Bulldogs or Knights to close out the regular season. That could see the Sharks leapfrog the Cowboys into second and secure a week one home final, likely against the Storm. What a game that would be for Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane potentially taking on their former teammates with home-ground advantage. Siosifa Talakai (shoulder) is scheduled back this round.

Melbourne played themselves back into form against the Broncos, but their spot in the top four is not locked in. Picture: Getty Images.

4th STORM

32pts, PD +259

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $4.50, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $1.04

R24 Roosters (AAMI Park)

R25 Eels (CommBank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 3RD

Highest finish: 2nd

Lowest finish: 6th

After going down to the Rabbitohs in round 19 a lot of experts had the Storm down for the count. But have put together four straight since including a highly impressive 16-0 shutout of the Panthers and a 60-12 annihilation of the Broncos where Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes really put on a clinic. Have two tough games to close out the regular season, Friday’s blockbuster against the Roosters followed by the Eels, who beat Storm 28-24 in their only meeting this year.

Paramatta will likely need to win their final two games to snare a spot in the top-four but are guaranteed a spot in finals. Picture: Getty Images.

5th EELS

30pts, PD +64

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $15, Top 8 N/A, Top 4 $9

R24 Broncos (Suncorp Stadium)

R25 Storm (CommBank Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 5TH

Highest finish: 4th

Lowest finish: 8th

Bounced back from the disappointing 26-0 loss to Souths with a 42-6 carve-up of the Bulldogs with Mitchell Moses starring in his return. Now take on the Broncos in Brisbane where a win could potentially secure the Eels a week one home final, which is also likely to be against the Broncos. They need to win this week and hope the Roosters topple the Storm to be any hope of a top-four finish. That makes this round 24 danger game hugely important for Brad Arthur’s team, who have struggled for consistency all season. It’s also worth remembering the Broncos beat the Eels 36-14 in round 19 at CommBank Stadium.

6th ROOSTERS

28pts, PD +187

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $10, Top 8 $1.05, Top 4 N/A

R24 Storm (AAMI Park)

R25 Rabbitohs (Allianz Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 6TH

Highest finish: 4th

Lowest finish: 9th

Have put together six straight wins since that luckless round 16 loss to the Panthers, topped off with that 72-6 belting of a woeful Wests Tigers last weekend. Expected to be boosted by the return of Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Lindsay Collins on Friday night to take on the Storm in Melbourne. Could finish anywhere between fourth and ninth but we have them sixth providing they get one win out of the final two regular season games.

The Roosters may have just handed the Tigers their worst ever defeat, but they still aren’t guaranteed a spot in finals. Picture: Getty Images.

7th RABBITOHS

28pts, PD +130

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $17, Top 8 $1.05, Top 4 $N/A

R24 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)

R25 Roosters (Allianz Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 7TH

Highest finish: 5th

Lowest finish: 9th

Went toe-to-toe with the Panthers and, with a bit of luck, could have won the game. The sting in the tail is a couple of bombed tries has now cost the Bunnies any chance of a top-four finish. Even if they win both remaining games against the Cowboys and Roosters their best hope is to finish fifth, or they could fall as low as ninth. Have shown since Latrell Mitchell’s return why they are fair dinkum contenders, although history shows not finishing top four is always an issue. Tom Burgess is expected back this week.

8th BRONCOS

28pts, PD +21

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $51, Top 8 $1.12, Top 4 N/A

R24 Eels (Suncorp Stadium)

R25 Dragons (Netstrata Jubilee Stadium)

PREDICTED FINISH: 8TH

Highest finish: 5th

Lowest finish: 9th

Have hit the skids at the wrong time after dropping three of their last four, including a 60-12 smashing by the Storm. On that form it’s hard to see the Broncos doing any damage even if they stay in the top eight, which is still no guarantee. Already missing the influential Pat Carrigan, now it looks like the Broncos might be without Kurt Capewell (ankle) against Parra. Really need Payne Haas to deliver against a pack led by Junior Paulo. For all that’s happened before now, this showdown at Suncorp on Thursday is shaping up as the biggest game of the Broncos’ season.

The Broncos heavy loss to Melbourne means they are no hope of a top-four spot. Picture: NRL Images.

9th RAIDERS

26pts, PD -25

TAB ODDS: Premiers: $151, Top 8 $3.25, Top 4 N/A

R24 Sea Eagles (GIO Stadium)

R25 Tigers (Leichhardt Oval)

PREDICTED FINISH: 9TH

Highest finish: 7th

Lowest finish: 10th

Could really live to regret that terrible start against the Knights where the Raiders gave up 22 first-half points before storming home for the win. The reality is they still need to win both remaining games and rely on either the Roosters, Rabbitohs or Broncos losing both games. The other hope would be if the Broncos dropped a game and the Raiders can make up a 46-point differential. While it’s not impossible it looks like they have left their run too late.