Rugby league always provides some shocks, whether it be the high-flying start to the season by the un-fancied Dragons or the continued struggles of some of the pre-season favourites.
Even the most loyal of fans of teams such as the Raiders, Panthers, Titans and Bulldogs can't argue that much more was expected of their sides than their current form and ladder position.
As we break (kind of) for Origin, we're going to look at the four sides who we believe have been the biggest disappointments in 2017.
Half jokingly, I have left the Warriors off this list as it's almost impossible to know what to expect from them.
After a super season of recruiting that saw Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Peats, Dale Copley and Konrad Hurrell picked up, much was expected of the Titans this season. The return of Kane Elgey meant fans were expectant of improving on their surprise finals appearance in 2016.
Unfortunately, a mix of indifferent form and a horror injury toll have meant that the Titans now look at long odds to repeat their 2016 heroics and feature at the business end of the season.
The Titans have been forced into using more players than any other club, by some margin, due to a horror run of injuries. Peats missed the start of the season, as did Jarryd Hayne. Other stars such as Chris McQueen, Kevin Proctor, Dale Copley, Chris Grevsmuhl, Konrad Hurrell and Kevin Proctor have all spent time on the sidelines. Recently Kane Elgey has also been absent.
That said, the Titans are a good four wins outside of the finals spots given they're less than impressive points differential, and as a result, have plenty to do.
I had the Titans in the top eight contention in the pre-season and despite the injuries, I thought they'd be a lot closer to finals footy than they are. Hopefully they can stay relatively injury-free, however, finals look gone.
Another team who now look at long odds to feature in the second weekend of September is Dessie's Dogs. No team has dominated negative headlines as of late than the boys from Belmore, and for good reason.
Their first half efforts this season has been downright awful. I honestly can't remember the scoring more than a penalty goal, or try at best, in a first half this season. I'm sure it's been done ... well, I assume it's been done.
Moses Mbye was asked about his Origin chances, although I think a fairer question would have been his justifying the big contract he signed last season. He is a wonderful player but has shown massively indifferent form in 2017. As the team's halfback, he needs to lead.
They've signed two monster arrivals for 2018, one literally, but there is still a third of the 2017 season to worry about first. Fans have been extremely angry across social media, and I can't blame them. I'd be angry too.
Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but I'm fairly confident in saying the Dogs have already blown their finals chances. Des Hasler is in serious trouble despite signing a contract extension earlier in the year.
Given that they've already had their two byes, the Panthers sit at least two wins outside of the eight. Considering the ridiculous talent roster, combined with their efforts of 2016, I fully expected the Panthers to be red hot in the running for a top four spot, not struggling to stay in touch of the top eight.
Bryce Cartwright, before his injury, was easily the competition's most disappointing player. I thought he was Origin-bound this season, but his form saw him little more than a shell of his amazing 2016 self. Hopefully, when fully fit, he returns and fires the Panthers on, as he's one of the competition's most exciting players and one of my personal favourites.
Matt Moylan's move to the halves has kick-started their faltering season, somewhat. Dylan Edwards has been a real hit of fresh air since his return to the top grade. The two moves have seemed to spark Nathan Cleary on.
The Panthers have one of the best packs in the game, but Merrin, Tamou and co. have failed to dominate as we all thought they would. Tyrone Peachey, another favourite of mine, has been shifted around and needs to be made a priority if the Panthers are any chance of featuring in finals.
I wouldn't write the Panthers off just yet, especially with Josh Mansour back, but it's a long journey from here. Honestly I, and certainly their fans expected much better.
After 17 rounds the Raiders sit twelfth. TWELFTH!?! Last year's attacking superstars were expected to go one step further their 2016 season and contest this year's Grand Final. I had them as minor premiers, with a fair amount of confidence too.
They now sit six points behind the eighth-placed Eels and look dead set gone when it comes to contesting finals footy. To suggest they were massive odds to feature in the finals at this stage of the season would have lead to you being labelled crazy earlier in the year.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what has gone wrong, but the lack of form in the Raiders spine has really stood out. Last year Hodgson, Sezer, Wighton and Austin were unstoppable. This year they aren't in the top five or six spines. I say that with great disappointment, as there are few more entertaining sides when they're on than the Green Machine.
The Raiders forwards haven't had the impact they did last year, and are really missing Paul Vaughan. Rapana has announced himself as the best winger in the game, but his right side partner, Joey Leilua, is firing at about half capacity.
Ricky Stuart looked as though he was building a Raiders side capable of something very special. They're going to need something very, VERY special if they're even going to be a shot at upsetting some apple carts come September.
They, for mine, are by far, the most disappointing side in 2017. They should be pushing the Storm, Sharks and Roosters for the Minor Premiership, not caught in a mid-table scrap.