Vegas Effect: How clubs used season-opener as launch pad for finals tilt

The NRL's Las Vegas season-opener has proved to be an ideal starting point for teams aiming for the premiership, with all four participating teams gearing up for finals football next month.

Currently, Canberra stands at the top of the ladder, followed by the Warriors in fourth place, Cronulla in sixth, and Penrith in seventh. Each of these teams has secured a place in the finals, with just two games remaining in the regular season.

This success challenges the typical belief that early-season travel can hinder a team's performance. Raiders hooker Tom Starling mentioned that his team capitalized on the trip, using it to establish a strong foundation for their championship aspirations.