LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Melbourne Storm are on the brink of clinching the J.J.
Giltinan Shield with a commanding victory over the Panthers, putting them in prime position to secure their fifth minor premiership.
With the live ladder in sight, it's clear that the Storm are well and truly in the driver's seat.
In a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Storm managed to edge out the Panthers, paving their way to the top spot on the NRL ladder.
Sitting pretty with a whopping 40 premiership points and just three games left in the season, they are now four points ahead of their closest rivals, the Panthers.
As the battle for the minor premiership heats up, other teams are jostling for position in the top eight.
A stumble for Cronulla could see them lose their grip on a top-four spot, opening the door for the Bulldogs or Sea Eagles to swoop in.
The Dragons are looking to claw their way back into the top eight with a crucial match-up against the Titans, while the Dolphins and Knights are also fighting tooth and nail to keep their finals dreams alive.
For the Broncos, the bye couldn't have come at a better time, giving them a much-needed breather and a chance to stay in the hunt for a spot in the finals.
With plenty of twists and turns still to come, it's shaping up to be a nail-biting finish to the NRL season.