The NRL season is drawing to a dramatic close with just one round remaining before finals, and we're breaking down all the action as the competition reaches its climax.We kick things off discussing standout performers who've made their mark this season. Matty Nicholson proved Super League talent can translate to NRL success before his unfortunate injury, while rookies Robert Toia and Leka Halasima have exploded onto the scene. Manly's Tolu Kola has been a revelation at center, with his blistering speed apparently inherited from his father – a former Tongan 100m sprinter who reportedly ran a 10.5-10.6 second time.Team performances have delivered major surprises, none bigger than the Raiders claiming the minor premiership after being widely tipped for the wooden spoon. The Bulldogs have been another revelation, securing a finals position after years in the wilderness. Meanwhile, the Warriors and Dolphins both showed promise before injuries derailed their campaigns.The disappointments have been equally notable. Jerome Luai's $1.2 million move to the Tigers hasn't delivered as expected, while Manly's star-studded roster has significantly underperformed despite showing frustrating flashes of brilliance in recent weeks. Even Nathan Cleary has had an uncharacteristically inconsistent season by his lofty standards.Round 26 delivered some fascinating results, with the Roosters demolishing the Storm 40-10 in Melbourne to sound a serious finals warning. The Broncos strengthened their top-four hopes despite Reece Walsh's bizarre toilet water drinking incident going viral, while Manly continued their late-season form surge with a 40-24 win over the Dragons.Looking ahead to the final round, crucial battles remain for the top four and to avoid the wooden spoon. The Knights and Titans are locked in a battle to avoid last place, potentially creating a "spoon relay" as last year's wooden spooners (Tigers) could hand over the unwanted trophy to this year's recipients.With finals approaching, this season feels more unpredictable than most. Multiple teams are hitting form at the right time, creating genuine hope for several contenders. Subscribe to catch our full season review once the premiership is decided!

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