The NRL's salary cap has, for the most part, ensured plenty of competitiveness over the last 20 years, with most teams playing a grand final over the last decade.
While the Panthers and Broncos contested the 2023 decider, only the Manly Sea Eagles, Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons, New Zealand Warriors, Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights have been waiting ten or more years for a trip to the big dance.
The Knights have the longest current drought, sitting at 22 years.
Every team's current NRL grand final drought
Brisbane Broncos - 0 seasons
Canberra Raiders - 4 seasons
Canterbury Bulldogs - 9 seasons
Cronulla Sharks - 7 seasons
Gold Coast Titans - 17 seasons*
Manly Sea Eagles - 10 seasons
Melbourne Storm - 3 seasons
Newcastle Knights - 22 seasons
New Zealand Warriors - 12 seasons
North Queensland Cowboys - 6 seasons
Parramatta Eels - 1 season
Penrith Panthers - 0 seasons
South Sydney Rabbitohs - 2 seasons
St George Illawarra Dragons - 13 seasons
Sydney Roosters - 4 seasons
The Dolphins - 1 season*
Wests Tigers - 18 seasons
* - Never played in an NRL grand final.
