After 29 weeks of action, the NRL 2023 has found its two grand finalists. This Sunday, a champion will be decided. Can the Brisbane Broncos spoil the Panthers three-peat? Or will Penrith write themselves down in rugby league history? We take a look at the latest NRL standings, and break down the most recent NRL results ahead of the final week of the playoffs in 2023.
National Rugby League results – playoffs week three
Looking at the latest NRL results, here’s how week three of the playoffs panned out last weekend:
- Penrith Panthers 38-4 Melbourne Storm
- Brisbane Broncos 42-12 New Zealand Warriors
There were no fairytale wins for the Melbourne Storm or New Zealand Warriors last weekend, as the Panthers and Broncos proved unequivocally why they’re the No 1 and 2 teams in the competition this year. While New Zealand put up a valiant fight in the first half, the reality is, both of these matches were largely uncompetitive, as both teams stretched their legs and built their cases for winning the NRL this year.
Who will come out on top this week?
National Rugby League standings – updated after regular season
With the regular season complete, here’s how the NRL ladder is looking as ahead of week four of the playoffs:
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Differential | Points |
| 1 | Panthers | 24 | 18 | 0 | 6 | +333 | 42 |
| 2 | Broncos | 24 | 18 | 0 | 6 | +214 | 42 |
| 3 | Storm | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | +168 | 38 |
| 4 | Warriors | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | +124 | 38 |
| 5 | Knights | 24 | 14 | 0 | 9 | +175 | 35 |
| 6 | Sharks | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | +122 | 34 |
| 7 | Roosters | 24 | 13 | 1 | 11 | -24 | 32 |
| 8 | Raiders | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | -137 | 32 |
| 9 | Rabbitohs | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | +59 | 30 |
| 10 | Eels | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | +13 | 30 |
| 11 | Cowboys | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | +4 | 30 |
| 12 | Sea Eagles | 24 | 11 | 1 | 12 | +6 | 29 |
| 13 | Dolphins | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | -111 | 24 |
| 14 | Titans | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | -126 | 24 |
| 15 | Bulldogs | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | -331 | 20 |
| 16 | Dragons | 24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | -199 | 16 |
| 17 | West Tigers | 24 | 4 | 0 | 29 | -290 | 14 |
With the top eight set, nine teams saw their seasons end, while the remaining eight headed into the post-season. Now, six teams have been eliminated, with the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks losing in week one, the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights joining them in week two, and now the New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm exiting. All that leaves are the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers–one of which will go home empty handed this Sunday, the other will be crowned NRL champions.
Understanding the NRL ladder
The National Rugby League standings are about as simple as it comes in terms of points systems used in sports competitions.
Teams compete over a 27 round regular season, with each side playing 24 matches and receiving three byes. A win is worth two points, and a loss worth zero, and a draw worth one. Teams will also automatically receive two points on each of their bye weeks.
The top eight teams on the NRL ladder at the end of the regular season move through to the post-season, where four weeks of finals footy will determine the NRL champions for 2023.
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