The latest round of NRL action may have been brief, but it certainly sparked plenty of discussion.
With two major teams from 2025 seemingly slipping, Leichhardt Oval was alive with energy, and the Sharks pulled off an unexpected win against the Warriors.
Off the field, injuries from Origin, fines for coaches, and former stars making headlines keep the buzz alive in rugby league.
Here are 20 insights from this condensed Round 15:
1. At this point in the NRL season, the distinct possibility looms that both the 2025 minor premiers and championship winners could miss out on finals this year. I'm calling it. Both squads seem too far behind to catch up. Brisbane faces a tough schedule in the next month with matches against the Roosters, Sharks, and Panthers. It's curtains for them!
2. Hindsight may be 20/20, but even last year, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt appeared to be nearing the end of their careers. Reynolds, in particular, struggles with injuries consistently. Perhaps the 2025 Grand Final was the ideal farewell? The Broncos simply can't extend Ben Hunt's contract into next season.
3. A perfect illustration of the current state of the Broncos is the moment Preston Riki was struck in the back by a pass from Ben Hunt. Riki was not expecting the ball, seemingly unaware of its trajectory. Hunt clearly wasn't attentive enough to notice his prop was moving away. This is not a good sign.
4. The Raiders allowed halfback Jamal Fogarty to depart, despite leading them to the Minor Premiership. It's difficult to view this as a positive move. While it may pay off in the long run, their chances for a championship title seem to be completely closed.