The big winners of Round 23 are...
Penrith Panthers are now on an imposing nine-game winning streak and, after some fortuitous and controversial circumstances overshadowed last weekend's extra time victory away to the Gold Coast Titans, there was nothing ambiguous about this one.
They piled on 30+ points for a fifth consecutive week and this time had the defence to match their attacking output.
It shows just how far Ivan Cleary's side have come in the space of a few months because, ironically, their last defeat in the competition came at the hands of the Knights (25-6) back in May, which subsequently had them sitting at the bottom of the ladder with a 3-7 record.
Even back then, most of us knew what the three-time champions were capable of and this resurgence should come as no surprise, particularly to Cleary who believed the side was playing some good football in patches even whilst losing to the likes of Newcastle, South Sydney and the Chooks.
They also had another victory off the field when it was revealed at the weekend that they have talked Canberra Jersey Flegg captain Keahn Skipps into moving to Penrith, despite the 19-year-old Queenslander asking Canberra for a release on the basis of homesickness.
Skipps could quickly find himself competing with Blaize Talagi for the five-eighth position, or even replacing Nathan Cleary at halfback if the rumours about Cleary moving to the UK to be with girlfriend Mary Fowler eventuate.
The big losers of Round 23 are...
Undoubtedly the Brisbane Broncos whose season imploded in the space of seconds when their halves pairing of Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds went down chasing a Xavier Coates interception try attempt.
It was far from the worst performance of the weekend - in fact, the Broncos won praise from Storm coach Craig Bellamy for their adaptability and their effort after half-time with a makeshift team - but they were nonetheless unable to record a single line break against a club they still have to face again later this season.
Their own defensive record of 21 points conceded per game, whilst not disastrous, is well short of those belonging to the top-four sides and is one area that Michael Maguire will quickly need to address.
Brisbane's unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances mean they were probably the hardest hit of the losing sides in terms of impact to their Premiership chances, even including the New Zealand Warriors who were outclassed by Canterbury to formally lose their top-four spot to Penrith. The Warriors look well and truly cooked now with some key absences beginning to show a few weeks ago.
Who is facing potential suspension this week?
• Coen Hess - Dangerous Contact - 3-4 matches (no plea entered)
• Briton Nikora - Careless High Tackle - 3 matches (guilty plea)
• Kurt Donoghoe - Shoulder Charge - 2 matches if found guilty at tribunal (no plea entered)
• Francis Molo - Careless High Tackle - 1-2 matches (no plea entered)
• Corey Horsburgh - Shoulder Charge - 2 matches if found guilty at tribunal (no plea entered)
Fines for: Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, Kurt Donoghoe (separate charge), Spencer Leniu (twice), Aublix Tawha, Naufahu Whyte, Francis Molo (separate charge), Sam Hughes, Harry Hayes
Ken Irvine Medal Leaderboard
Mark Nawaqanitawase's first hat-trick of the 2025 season propelled him back up to joint-second on the most tries leaderboard, level with Xavier Coates and Tyrell Sloan who scored two and one try respectively this weekend.
