A series of injuries and suspensions to the leading contenders has thrown the race to the title wide open as teams jockey for finals positions in the remaining three rounds.
The loss of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Ryan Papenhuyzen has placed uncertainty around the finish to the regular season for the premiership favourites in the Panthers and Storm, while the Eels’ confounding inconsistency has continued.
Meanwhile the Roosters and the Rabbitohs are looming as two of the in form teams heading into September, despite the fact they are unlikely to finish in the top four.