Overview
- Penrith ended a three-game skid in Wollongong as Nathan Cleary steered a 40–20 win that secured seventh place.
- Most first-choice Panthers returned after last week’s mass rest, with Liam Martin and Brian To’o held back for another week.
- Penrith will travel to Auckland next weekend to face the New Zealand Warriors in a knockout final.
- Week-one qualifying finals are set with Canberra hosting Brisbane at GIO Stadium and Melbourne facing Canterbury at AAMI Park.
- Cronulla finished fifth and will host the other eliminator, while the Dragons concluded their season 15th at 8–16.