The regular season has concluded and a sport without a finals series would end here, with Penrith declared the top side. However, the teams below shaded in blue move into the playoffs while the rest can sit back and watch the others battle it out.
Penrith over the last four years has had a 1 2 1 1 record. Looking down the rest of the list shows other clubs aren't nearly as consistent. The Melbourne Storm would be the only side that comes anywhere near that recent record.
The New Zealand Warriors have been operating out of Australia for the last two years, all home games effectively away ones and being separated from families for long periods. The first full year back to normal and they had a surprisingly successful season. Well deserved. The only issue is their form has dipped recently and they may not win a finals match.
Both the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights were big improvers in 2022. The Paramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys were well short of their last season standing. As for unwanted consistency, the West Tigers collected their second wooden spoon in a row. Manly, the Gold Coast and Canterbury were likewise consistent.
I look at points difference to see how a team performed over the season. On that basis, Canberra is very fortunate to make the playoffs. Had South Sydney won their last game, they would have been playing for at least another round as their goal difference was much better than Canberra's.
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