LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
As the State of Origin series concludes, attention shifts to the NRL finals race.
The Raiders observed from a comfortable position while other teams strived to showcase their intentions.
Penrith and Brisbane have emerged as serious contenders, joining the ranks of the top four.
Meanwhile, the Sharks and Roosters made notable comebacks.
The week also saw the retirement of two legends and the potential onset of a coaching carousel.
Here are 20 insights from the pivotal Round 20:
1.
"It's funny how the top four teams are so different." The Storm and Raiders are dominating their matches with impressive scoring, whereas the Bulldogs and Warriors are predominantly focusing on defense, grinding out wins.
Although the Bulldogs excel in this approach, the Warriors maintain a modest points differential of only 31.
The effectiveness of these contrasting styles will be crucial to monitor as the finals approach.
Overall, as the season nears its climax, the juxtaposition of offensive firepower and defensive resilience among the top teams will likely play a significant role in determining the ultimate victor in the NRL finals.