LIVE NRL LADDER: Robbo’s Roosters reign supreme as finals battle takes major turn

We’ve arrived at the end of the regular season, with almost every game holding finals implications. Foxsports.com.au have delved into each and every possibility.

Watch every game of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

The top four teams are locked in, albeit the final order is yet to be determined.

What we do know is the Panthers and Broncos will either finish first or second and the Warriors and Storm will either finish third or fourth.

The Knights and Sharks are assured of a top eight spot with two of the Raiders, Roosters and Cowboys to make up the rest of the eight after the Rabbitohs were bundled out.

James Tedesco joins the Fox League Podcast and takes you inside the Roosters’ preparation ahead of their must-win clash against the Rabbitohs, the changes he’s made to his game and the lessons he’s learnt as a leader.

LISTEN TO JAMES TEDESCO ON THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST BELOW

MORE COVERAGE

Good, bad and ugly from Dogs’ 2023 disaster and the ‘emergency’ move they must make

‘Leaves a foul taste in your mouth’: Kevvie’s finals headache looms as Broncos let history slip

QLD boss left ‘perplexed’ as shock Origin move floated in secret NRL meeting

NRL LIVE LADDER (As of Friday 12pm)

1st: Brisbane Broncos (42 pts, +214) – lost to Storm 22-32

2nd: Penrith Panthers (40 pts, +301) – to play Cowboys, Saturday @ 5:30pm

3rd: Melbourne Storm (38 pts, +168) – defeated Broncos 32-22

4th: New Zealand Warriors (38 pts, +148) – to play Dolphins, Saturday @ 3pm

5th: Newcastle Knights (33 pts, +155) – to play Dragons, Saturday @ 7:35pm

6th: Cronulla Sharks (32 pts, +104) – to play Raiders, Sunday @ 4:05pm

7th: Sydney Roosters (32 pts, -24) – beat Rabbitohs 26-12

8th: Canberra Raiders (32 pts, -119) – to play Sharks, Sunday @ 4:05pm

9th: South Sydney Rabbitohs (30 pts, +59) – lost to Roosters 26-12

10th: North Queensland Cowboys (30 pts, +36) – to play Panthers, Saturday @ 5:30pm

11th: Parramatta Eels (30 pts, +13) – bye already counted

Eels, Sea Eagles, Titans, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Dragons and Tigers have been eliminated from contention

How Round 27 has played out/will play out

Thursday night: The Storm continued their remarkable win streak over the Broncos, extending it to 14 straight with a ten-point victory at Suncorp Stadium. In the process, Melbourne have (for now) thwarted Brisbane’s claim for the minor premiership. Don’t worry Broncos fans, you can still win the J. J Giltinan Shield but need the Panthers to lose to the Cowboys on Saturday night. Melbourne’s win moves them to third but they’ll be knocked back down to fourth if the Warriors defeat the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon.

Friday night: The Tigers and Sea Eagles game finished a 54-12 flogging. Later, the Rabbitohs went down tothe Roosters at Accor Stadium and a win to the home side will ensure a spot in the finals for the embattled club. South Sydney’s season is now over as Jason Demetriou’s side have slipped out of the top eight. Meanwhile, the Roosters will play finals football if either the Cowboys or Raiders lose against the Panthers and Sharks respectively.

Here’s all the results that would see the Roosters play finals:

– Cowboys win, Knights win, Raiders loss: 8th, play Knights in 5th

– Cowboys win, Knights loss, Raiders loss: 8th, play Sharks in 5th

– Panthers win, Knights win, Sharks win: 7th, play Sharks in 6th

– Panthers win, Knights loss, Sharks win: 7th, play Knights in 6th

– Panthers win, Knights win, Raiders win: 8th, play Knights in 5th

– Panthers win, Knights loss, Raiders win: 8th play Raiders in 5th

Saturday afternoon:The Warriors will clinch third on the ladder with a win over the Dolphins, however a loss means they’ll finish the season in fourth.

Saturday twilight: The most important game of the Saturday slate in terms of finals repercussions. It’s simple for the Panthers. A win clinches a third minor premiership in four years, while a loss locks up second spot. With the Warriors playing before them, Penrith will know what fate awaits the 1st and 2nd placed-teams on the ladder in the first week of the finals (NZ or Melbourne).

The Cowboys need to win to remain alive after the Roosters bested the Rabbitohs on Friday night.

Saturday night:The Knights are guaranteed of a home final in week 1 of the finals, but it is yet to be determined whether they’ll finish 5th or 6th. A win over the Dragons here will lock up 5th, while a loss means Newcastle will finish the season in 6th.

Sunday afternoon: Titans and Bulldogs will be keen to finish their disappointing seasons on a high. The following game should be a ripper. The Sharks are guaranteed a finals spot, with a win over the Raiders locking in a home final at Shark Park.

A loss will mean they finish 7th or 8th.

The Raiders’ fate will be a much clearer by kick-off.

If the Cowboys lose to the Panthers, Canberra will play finals footy no matter the result but it will be an away game against either the Knights or Sharks again. However, if Ivan Cleary’s men go down the Raiders need a win to secure finals football.

If Ricky’s men secure two points on Sunday, they will themselves a home final in Canberra.

Huge game and a cracking way to end the home-and-away season.

CURRENT PREDICTED WEEK 1 OF FINALS

First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th): Broncos vs Storm at Suncorp Stadium

Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd): Panthers vs Warriors at BlueBet Stadium

First Elimination Final (5th vs 8th): Knights vs Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium

Second Elimination Final (6th vs 7th): Sharks vs Cowboys at Pointsbet Stadium

PREDICTED FINAL LADDER

1st: Broncos (42 pts)

2nd: Panthers (40 pts)

3rd: Warriors (40 pts)

4th: Storm (38 pts)

5th: Knights (35 pts)

6th: Sharks (32 pts)

7th: Cowboys (32 pts)

8th: Roosters (32 pts)