After 27 rounds, we have our top eight ready to take the next step in September and October. But what about the bottom nine? Which teams were unlucky to miss out and can expect a better 2025? Which teams disappointed? Which teams are due for a cleanout?
9th – Canberra Raiders (Won 12, Lost 12)
After losing Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker, the Raiders were expected to be in the bottom four this season, but again they found a way to stay in the finals race. Crucially, they lost Jamal Fogarty for two months (from round 8 to round 19): while Kaeo Weekes (who eventually found his feet at fullback) and Adam Cook did their best to plug the gap, Canberra won just three games in Fogarty’s absence – and conceded 40 points or more three times in that period. But Canberra finished with three straight wins to enter the off-season with some optimism. Captain Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana – both in their final season before moving to Super League – gave their all, Ethan Strange showed promise at five-eighth, and Xavier Savage flourished on the wing (15 tries in 24 games). English recruit Morgan Smithies had a tireless debut year, playing all 24 games as the starting 13.
Embed from Getty Images10th – Dolphins (Won 11, Lost 13)
After a promising debut season, The Dolphins built on their good work to narrowly miss the 2024 finals. They won three in a row twice (rounds 2 to 5 and rounds 9 to 11) but their attack and defence almost cancelled each other out: they scored 30+ eight times and conceded 30+ six times. Jamayne Isaako was the second-highest points scorer in the regular season (223 points from 12 tries, 87 goals, and one field goal), while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored 15 tries in just 16 games.
Embed from Getty Images11th – St George-Illawarra Dragons (Won 11, Lost 13)
Predicted by many as wooden spoon favourites, the Dragons – led by new coach Shane Flanagan – had a brilliant season, though inconsistency was a problem: they only had consecutive wins twice (rounds 6-7 and 13-14). And they conceded 30 points or more 10 times. Parramatta-bound Zac Lomax had arguably his best season at the Dragons, scoring 186 points (14 tries, 63 goals, and two two-point field goals) from 21 games, and captain Ben Hunt being available for 22 games helped them stay in-and-around the eight all year.
Embed from Getty Images12th – Brisbane Broncos (Won 10, Lost 14)
After coming so close to winning the 2023 Grand Final, Brisbane was expected to challenge for the 2024 premiership. The fact they missed the finals completely was extremely disappointing. The rot set in after Magic Round, losing six games in a row. While injuries didn’t help (with Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh, and Payne Haas spending time on the sidelines), Brisbane should have had enough depth to cover that, though Patrick Carrigan did his best to hold the Broncos together (playing 22 games). Brisbane’s record at Suncorp Stadium was below par: six wins and eight losses (including two ‘away’ games against Manly and The Dolphins). And they were 3-3 against Queensland clubs, including losing both games against the Titans and their first “Battle of Brisbane” loss to The Dolphins.
Embed from Getty Images13th – New Zealand Warriors (Won 9, Lost 14, 1 Draw)
After making the 2023 preliminary final and becoming everyone’s second favourite team, the Wahs fell back to Earth in 2024. The warning signs were there from round 1 after blowing an early lead against Cronulla. While the Warriors strung together three wins in a row twice (rounds 3-5 and rounds 11-14), four losses in a row from rounds 22 to 25 ended their faint finals hopes. They had plenty of injuries, but also threw away a lot of winning positions. Though they finished on a high to farewell Shaun Johnson, coming from 22-4 down to beat Cronulla 30-28. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a hat-trick (finishing with 15 tries in 22 games), with Johnson throwing the cut-out pass for DWZ’s match-winning try. Despite the let-down from 2023, Warriors fans stuck by their team, with an average home crowd of 23,758.
Embed from Getty Images14th – Gold Coast Titans (Won 8, Lost 16)
While the Titans lost their first six games, they showed genuine improvement in the second half of the season (despite captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui only playing two games and Jayden Campbell only playing 15). They won five games between round 16 and 22 as Des Hasler worked his magic, including a 66-6 belting of the Warriors (the biggest win in the history of the Titans/Chargers/Gladiators/Seagulls/Giants) and a 46-18 win over Brisbane. Though the Broncos win was their last of the season, as they lost their final five games. Keano Kini showed his potential at fullback, Keiran Foran played in seven of the Titans’ eight wins, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira (24 tries in 21 games) was the leading tryscorer in the 2024 regular season.
Embed from Getty Images15th – Parramatta Eels (Won 7, Lost 17)
Two years after making the 2022 Grand Final, Parramatta’s downward spiral continued. The Eels never got going, only winning consecutive games once (rounds 26 and 27), five straight losses from rounds 7 to 12, and six straight losses from rounds 14 to 21. Parramatta’s defence was the biggest issue, conceding 40 points five times. One of those losses (48-16 to Melbourne in Magic Round) cost Brad Arthur his job, with Trent Barrett as interim coach, and Jason Ryles taking over in 2025. While Mitch Moses only played eight games, captain Clint Gutherson played 21 games – scoring 112 points (nine tries and 38 goals), and Dylan Brown rebounded from last season’s dramas, playing all 24 games.
Embed from Getty Images16th – South Sydney Rabbitohs (Won 7, Lost 17)
After last year’s capitulation, Souths lost nine of their first 10 games (including the first Las Vegas premiership game) and – despite a five-game winning run between rounds 12 and 18 – never looked like threatening the top eight. That poor start cost Jason Demetriou his job, with Ben Hornby as interim coach, and Wayne Bennett returning from 2025. Former Canberra Raider Jack Wighton was one of their most consistent players: he played 21 games, starting at centre and moving to five-eighth to cover injuries (with Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston only playing 24 games between them). English veteran Tom Burgess left at the end of the season, after 249 games and the 2014 premiership at Redfern, for Super League club Huddersfield. Damien Cook (who played over 200 games for Souths), Dean Hawkins, Dion Teaupa, Izaac Thompson, Leon Te Hau, and Michael Chee-Kam are also leaving.
Embed from Getty ImagesWooden Spoon – Wests Tigers (Won 6, Lost 18)
The 2024 season started positively for the Wests Tigers: Shane Richardson became the new CEO, Benji Marshall the full-time coach, and they won two of their first three games. But nine losses in a row ensured a 13th straight season without finals. The highlights were a 48-24 win over Canberra, a 32-6 win over Cronulla-Sutherland, and a 34-26 win over Manly-Warringah (coming from 16-0 down). But there were signs of improvement, with Lachlan Galvin cementing himself as the game’s next superstar, captain Api Koroisau having an excellent season (22 games for 106 points – five tries and 43 goals), and Jarome Luai coming in 2025. Though a loss in the final round “Spoon Bowl” against Parramatta (60-28) meant the Tigers collected their wooden spoon hat-trick, joining Newcastle (2015-17) and the Gold Coast Seagulls (1991-93) as the most recent triple spooners.
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