The Mole's mid-year report card: Origin star 'trying too hard' and 'needs to lift' amid inconsistent Storm season

We're coming into round 14 - and are at the halfway point of the most congested NRL season in recent memory.

All 17 teams are still in with a chance of finals footy, with the last placed Titans just two wins from eighth spot.

So who will make it, who will fall away and who have been the stars and the flops of the first half of this enthralling season?

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Wide World of Sports examines each club's hopes in this exclusive report.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Current standing: 1st

Last year's finish: 6th

Finals hopes: Will be there for sure - and a huge chance for the minor premiership despite slipping up against the Dolphins in their last outing. Lachlan Galvin's arrival could shake things up and possibly derail the smooth running train - but he is a class act and should improve the team's attack to a new level.

Best player: Skipper Stephen Crichton is in career-best form and has also shown real character as a leader, growing into the role and getting his troops to believe in him.

Needs to lift: Reed Mahoney is one of the Bulldogs' main men but seems off with the men in charge of the club and is free to look around for 2026. If he lifts his game, the club may yet decide to keep him on board.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Current standing: 2nd

Last year's finish: 9th

Finals hopes: Plenty were tipping the Raiders for the wooden spoon but along with the Dogs, are the success story of 2025 to date. Playing with spirit and enthusiasm, they have charged into second spot and have the ability to win this wide open premiership.

Best player: Hudson Young's effort, never-say-die attitude and aggression sum up the Raiders in 2025. He is also scoring tries for fun just about every week.

Needs to lift: Looking through the ranks, I honestly can't find a player who is performing below what he should be - which explains why the Raiders are sitting where they are.

WARRIORS

Current standing: 3rd

Last year's finish: 13th

Finals hopes: After a dismal season last year, the Warriors have been the quiet achievers of the top eight, recovering from a round one mauling by Canberra in Las Vegas to move into a great spot at the halfway mark. With their mix of both size and speed, they could continue to cause surprises.

Best player: Luke Metcalf led the Dally Ms when they went behind closed doors last week and has been a revelation at halfback with his pace and kicking game.

Needs to lift: With the Warriors forward pack firing on all cylinders, fan favourite Bunty Afoa has barely been able to get a look in. Word has it he will be playing in Super League either in a few weeks or next season.

MELBOURNE STORM

Current standing: 4th

Last year's finish: Minor premiers

Finals hopes: Blessed with the best spine and the best coach in the league, the Storm will always be a threat regardless of whether they make the top four or not. They haven't been as consistent as in last year's grand final season - but remain the club everyone fears the most.

Best player: Jahrome Hughes is right up there with Nathan Cleary as the best playmaker in the league - and this season has probably shaded his Penrith rival. A wonderful player with great instincts.

Needs to lift: Cameron Munster is the Storm's X-factor but his error rate has been higher this season than most. Appears to be trying too hard and pushing things rather than playing the percentage game.

CRONULLA SHARKS

Current standing: 5th

Last year's finish: 4th

Finals hopes: Cronulla have a well-balanced squad with a respected pack, two match-winning halves and plenty of strike power in the outside backs. A team that could go all the way if injuries are kind to them.

Best player: William Kennedy was seen as one of the poorer fullback in the NRL a few months back - for much of 2025 he has been in the top three. An instinctive player with rare skills at the top of his game.

Needs to lift: Injuries have been cruel to Toby Rudolph so far this season, restricting him to five games where he struggled for fitness. If he gets back to where he was in 2024, he will push for a spot in the club's best 17.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Current standing: 6th

Last year's finish: 5th

Finals hopes: After starting the season disastrously with three straight losses, the Cowboys have turned things around and are looking healthy for the run in to the finals. Their big guns are firing and when Jason Taumalolo returns from a calf injury, they will be even more formidable up front. A team with strike power and speed across the park.

Best player: Tom Dearden has been slaying them, inspiring his teammates with his 80-minute efforts every week. Should be named the Maroons half for Origin game two.

Needs to lift: Reuben Cotter has been a fan favourite for the last few years in the far north, but he seems to have lost a little of his effectiveness this season. Looks like he may be playing with injury.

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Current standing: 7th

Last year's finish: 7th

Finals hopes: Manly are something of an enigma, capable of beating any team in the league and also capable of losing to any team. The big win over the Broncos last weekend without Tom and Jake Trbojevic showed just how much talent there is in the squad. They appear to be over the DCE drama that had them on tilt when the veteran half made his bombshell announcement that he won't be there in 2026 and have the heavy artillery to do a lot of damage come September.

Best player: With Turbo battling injury, Lehi Hopoate has proved a revelation, filling in at fullback with ease and also shining on the wing. A kid with a massive future.

Needs to lift: Siosiua Taukeiaho returned from two seasons in Super League to join the Sea Eagles this year and could be a handy addition - but injury and form problems have seen him struggle to make the top side.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Current standing: 8th

Last year's finish: 11th

Finals hopes: After a disappointing first season at the helm, Shane Flanagan is mounting a far more compelling challenge this year. Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook have brought a new hard edge to the club and given the youngsters in the ranks a renewed confidence. With an injury-free run late in the year, the Dragons could surprise the critics and force their way into finals footy.

Best player: Gutho is a competitor and a winner and is playing like he was three or four seasons ago, with the change in colours bringing out the best in him.

Needs to lift: The much maligned Lachlan Ilias had the No.7 jersey at his mercy at the start of the year but lost it after some poor performances. He's likely to get another chance at some stage and needs to make the most of it.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Current standing: 9th

Last year's finish: 16th

Finals hopes: The old fox Wayne Bennett has breathed new life into Souths and even if they miss finals, they will improve considerably on last year's disastrous second-last finish. Latrell Mitchell is back to his best after a couple of seasons in the wilderness under Wayne's watchful eye while Jamie Humphreys has proved one of year's best buys.

Best player: Barnstorming forward Keaon Koloamatangi is playing the best football of his career in 2025 and looks fitter and stronger than ever. Was unlucky to miss the Blues team for Origin One and may get a chance before the series is over.

Needs to lift: English recruit Lewis Dodd came to Souths from Super League with a big reputation but has struggled with the pace and physicality of the Aussie game. Maybe in time he will adapt but right now, he looks very average.