The NRL season is over, but some of this year's contests will live on in the memories of fans for at least a couple of years.
We've had a look back at every game this year to pick 10 of the best, from amazing comebacks to heavyweight clashes that lived up to the billing. We've tried to steer clear of games that ended controversially, but there were still plenty of exciting battles to pick from across 200-odd games.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the best games this year - did we miss anything?
If there was a better comeback this year, it must have been in another code – because the Cowboys recovering from a 14-point deficit with less than eight minutes remaining was one of the most impressive NRL fightbacks in recent memory.
The Sea Eagles had won their last four against the Cowboys and were also undefeated at home, and the trend looked set to continue after some haphazard Cowboys defence saw Manly get two kicks away on the same tackle, with the second being a delicate cross-field effort for Christian Tuipulotu to open the scoring.
The Silvertails were in again after a Morgan Harper line break put Reuben Garrick through, and the fullback exchanged some words with Valentine Holmes after scoring.
North Queensland opened their own account in similar style, with two kicks put in on the last tackle – the second being a cross-field chip to Holmes who finally opened the Cowboys' account with six minutes left in the half.
The Cowboys kicked themselves ahead at the start of the second half after Manly spilled a simple-looking kick. All Jeremiah Nanai had to do was touch the ball and the Cowboys had hit the lead.
That sparked Manly to life and once again a try was scored from the boot after Tuipulotu jumped highest to catch a Lachlan Croker bomb to the corner. Croker wasn't finished either, kicking a 40/20 before racing through to score from a grubber in the following set.
There was more madness to follow from Manly, with another two kicks coming from the last play of a set and Croker putting through a grubber that hit the post, only for the No.9 to win the race to the deflected ball to grab his second try in four minutes, establish a 14-point lead and virtually put the game beyond doubt.
North Queensland weren't done either, with Jeremiah Nanai leaping highest to collect a Chad Townsend kick before dishing an offload to Reece Robson to score.
With an almost impossible margin still facing them, they chanced their arm on the next set, with a series of risky offloads reaping rewards as Connelly Lemuelu went over for the second try in 90 seconds.
When Cherry-Evans spilled the ball on the Cowboys' 20 another minute later, Holmes picked up the ball and ran the length of the field, beating the fullback to score the third try in three minutes and complete a comeback for the ages. Only two tries in the high-scoring contest didn't come from kicks.
Some of the year's best games were miraculous comebacks, but this was a headline contest that lived up to its official billing as a heavyweight clash, with two teams expected to do well in 2022 taking each other on and exchanging blows in a thrilling contest.
The scoring was opened in the 11th minute by Brandon Smith, standing out in the number 23, after an offload from Josh King. But the Eels hit back quickly after Dylan Brown put on one of his trademark steps to round Jahrome Hughes before feeding it back inside for Clint Gutherson.
Brown was provider once again soon after, with a cut-out ball sent left to Waqa Blake. Blake saw Ryan Papenhuyzen in front of him but wouldn't be stopped, putting on a huge fend to take the lead.
The Eels looked set to take a lead to the break, but their defence was caught short on the right by a quick Melbourne move and Nick Meaney found himself in acres of space to cross the line.
Hostilities continued after the break, with the next try seemingly coming from nothing after Cameron Munster collected a horrible pass on the half-volley on the 40m line, taking a moment before putting a hefty chip kick out to the left, where Meaney was once again waiting to go over.
But the Eels weren't done, and 15 minutes later a simple Moses bomb was grabbed by centre Tom Opacic and scores were level again.
If Meaney's second was a strange try, what followed was even more strange. Ray Stone's attempt to catch a Moses bomb deflected straight into the face of Nelson Asofa-Solomona before bouncing into the in-goal, where it was leapt upon by Ray Stone.
The back-and-forth wasn't done, and when Brandon Smith broke the line and set up Ryan Papenhuyzen, we were destined for golden point and a field goal shootout.
After a strange contest it was never going to be a straightforward finish, but when Moses' last field goal attempt hit the upright, it fell fortuitously to Stone again, who stepped past Hughes with ease to score one of the most thrilling victories of the year.
Both of these teams were flying high in the home stretch and fighting for the best finals spot – with both a chance of securing a top four finish.
Latrell Mitchell opened the scoring with his boot after an early penalty, and by the 12th minute they had officially crossed the line thanks to that lethal left edge and record-breaker Alex Johnston.
The Sharks hit back within 10 minutes after a brilliant display of strength and control by Connor Tracey, who was replacing Sione Katoa. A swift shift to the right ended in Tracey's hands, who was able to resist the defence's momentum to get the ball down.
Cronulla drew level after Tom Burgess collected Wade Graham high, and they were suddenly in the lead after Ronaldo Mulitalo leapt highest to take a stunning catch from a Nicho Hynes bomb, taking a lead to the break.
The Rabbitohs struck first in the second half, with a Cody Walker bomb causing chaos and trickling into the in-goal, where Mitchell proved the fastest to act.
But the Sharks weren't done either, with Andrew Fifita virtually replicating his match-winning try from the 2016 Grand Final, hauling a number of desperate defenders over the line to plant the ball down.
That wouldn't be the match-winner, though, with Junior Tatola forcing the game to golden point after a bullocking run.
The twists weren't done there, with Burgess once again the centre of attention, sent from the field after catching a breakaway Mulitalo high. Within 30 seconds of Burgess being sent, Hynes slotted the valuable one-pointer to end the drama filled encounter.
Though these teams would meet in the 2022 Grand Final, this Round 9 encounter was a far superior contest.
Coming into the game, the defending premiers had won an astonishing 26-straight games at home. They had also beaten the Eels in a contentious preliminary final the year before, so the blue and gold weren't lacking in motivation.
But despite these factors, it was Penrith who crossed first, opening the scoring within the first five minutes thanks to a simple set-up from Api Koroisau.
After a bit of spice on the sideline following a Viliame Kikau hit on Clint Gutherson, the Eels went in next thanks to a combination of individual brilliance from Will Penisini and the fact that Kikau was down during the play, with the Eels exploiting the gap that had been created.
Parramatta continued to work their way back into the contest, but it was a technicality that saw them claim the next points after Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon was judged to have held back Reeed Mahoney with the line in sight before he had secured the ball.
It was then Penrith's turn to have a try disallowed, but they were in again shortly after. A Nathan Cleary line break saw the halfback take the hit from Clint Gutherson, before a quick shift to the left ended with Kikau kicking from a seemingly-impossible position for winger Taylan May to score in the final two minutes of the half, sending teams to the sheds all level.
Much like the grand final, the Panthers came out firing after the break and it was another link-up between Kikau and May that resulted in the next try.
But unlike the grand final, the Eels maintained their resolve to strike back, with Gutherson stepping past Cleary before putting a perfect pass on the chest of Ryan Matterson, who tore through the line to score.
Moments later the Eels were in again as the Panthers' defence decided to let a Moses bomb bounce. It landed in the arms of Dylan Brown, who had little else to do but run to the line for an eight-point lead.
The Panthers were given a late glimmer of hope when Spencer Leniu crossed with two minutes remaining in the contest, but the damage had already been done and the Eels' had secured an impressive win, proving that the premiers were in fact fallible.
Some games go to golden point, some are decided before the game is over, but there was only one game this year where the ball virtually sailed between the sticks as the final siren sounded.
The Tigers were winless after five rounds but still optimistic, unaware of what the season would hold for them. But by the end of the game they were absolutely euphoric after a Jackson Hastings field goal saved their blushes against a fast-finishing Eels side.
The Tigers hadn't beaten the Eels since 2018, but they started well after Hastings and Luke Brooks combined to send Luciano Leilua over to open the scoring, also proving the elasticity of his jersey as defenders held on for dear life but couldn't stop him.
The Eels hit back almost immediately when Clint Gutherson won the race to a Mitchell Moses grubber, but the Tigers refused to yield and David Nofoaluma soon went over from a Brooks cut-out ball to restore the lead.
The Concord club was playing with confidence and Hastings soon turned provider to send Nofoaluma in again after a cheeky chip kick over the defence.
Poor goal-kicking meant the Tigers had just an eight-point lead despite having two more tries, and that lead was cut down quickly as incoming Tiger Isaiah Papali'i burst through the line to score out wide.
The Eels looked to be wresting back control of the game heading in to half time, but the Tigers scored first after the break thanks to a leaping Ken Maumalo and may have started feeling comfortable with a 10-point lead.
Once again the Eels hit back within five minutes after a trademark Dylan Brown step put him in the clear to set Reed Mahoney.
The Tigers defended valiantly for the next 20 minutes, but after Daine Laurie misjudged a Moses bomb, Bailey Simonsson batted back to Marata Niukore to tie the scores.
Though there were still 10 minutes remaining in the contest, both teams seemed content to shoot field goals from that point.
After a number of unconvincing shots it was left to Hastings to convert the last play of the game, putting his laces through the ball from 37-metres out to seal the club's first win of the season in enthralling fashion.
It's hard to believe that two teams who were well out of finals contention in the last game of the season – effectively a dead-rubber - could put on such an entertaining contest, but anyone who stuck with the Manly/Bulldogs game in the final round will be glad they did after a herculean comeback in atrocious conditions.
The Sea Eagles made the most of the conditions early, scoring through Daly Cherry-Evans after the captain backed up Dylan Walker.
When Christian Tuipulotu and Martin Taupau both went over within five minutes of each other, Manly were scoring at a point a minute and the Bulldogs seemed to have forgotten to show up. Combined with the weather some fans may have already been thinking about leaving.
But 10 minutes later the Bulldogs finally struck a blow. A simple move to the right was suddenly enlivened when Raymond Faitala-Mariner held up three defenders and got an arm free to offload. Quick hands shifted the ball to Braidon Burns, who went over with ease to give the Bulldogs some hope as halftime neared.
But they weren't done there, crossing again in the final minutes of the half after another strong run by Faitala-Mariner.
Zach Dockar-Clay scooped up the ball from dummy-half and went on a jinking run to his left, capitalising on the tough conditions to score and bringing the Bulldogs back to within four after being blown off the park in the early stages.
Manly seemed to reclaim the ascendancy after the break as conditions settled down, but the game was suddenly brought to life by Aaron Schoupp, who took an intercept 15 metres out from his own line and ran the length of the field to level the scores.
The Sea Eagles fought back again though, and looked to have dealt a critical blow when Haumole Olokau'atu scored from a grubber kick with 15 minutes remaining.
But the game wasn't done, with a Kyle Flanagan bomb causing headaches for the Manly defence before being spilt into the path of Tevita Pangai Junior, who got an offload back to Flanagan to score in the corner and restore parity.
With 90 second left, the Bulldogs hit the lead for the first time in the contest after a Matt Burton field goal, bringing a captivating game to a close and ensuring golden point would be avoided.
The first week of the finals was certainly the closest of the four, and no game was closer than this one between the somewhat-traditional foes.
Unassuming prop Tom Gilbert opened the scoring from a Chad Townsend chip, finding a way to get the ball down despite a mountain of defensive pressure.
Cronulla were next in after Toby Rudolf dragged a number of Cowboys – including Jason Taumalolo – over the line, and it was already looking like ‘one of those games'. The Sharks were in again 15 minutes later thanks to a swift left-side move that resulted in Siosifa Talakai going over untouched.
Tom Dearden reminded everyone of his individual brilliance moments later, scything through the line and multiple challenges to finish off a stunning solo effort. On the very next set they were in again after a cut-out ball from Taumalolo and some brilliant individual work from Peta Hiku.
There was barely any time to catch your breath before the Sharks were in again, with Hynes putting Mulitalo through before the winger found fullback Will Kennedy supporting back on the inside. The teams would go to the break at 18-all.
It was clear defence was neither side's primary concern after the Cowboys exploited a poor read on the Sharks' right edge to go through again via Murray Taulagi, and the Sharks hit back almost instantly through Cameron McInnes to take a two-point lead after a missed conversion by Holmes.
When Kennedy grabbed his second less than five minutes later the Sharks had finally created some breathing room and looked to have secured a week off.
But rugby league is rarely that straightforward, and with less than 10 minutes remaining, Tracey was sent to the sin bin after being judged to have tackled Holmes without the ball as he pursued a grubber kick.
Holmes converted to bring the margin back to six. Though the Sharks defended valiantly while a man down, fatigue started to set in and, with just 90 seconds left in the game, Taumalolo stormed over from close range to bring scores level.
With extra time instead of golden point both teams seemed willing to chance their arm to gain an advantage, but neither could capitalise despite coming close, and the period ended with scores still level.
With both teams exhausted it was left to Valentine Holmes, who drained a clutch field goal from 45 metres out to leave the home crowd stunned.
A grand final spot on the line, two of the game's best attacking teams and soupy conditions in the tropical north meant few people gave the Eels a chance.
The blue and gold opened the scoring in controversial fashion as halfback Mitch Moses danced around the defence before passing while facing backwards to Isaiah Papali'i. Though his positioning didn't help, the forward pass went uncalled and WIll Penisini went over.
But as they've done all year, the Cowboys hit back quickly as Reuben Cotter ran straight through a gap at Clint Gutherson, who couldn't stop the hard-running front-rower so close to the line.
Just as the Cowboys looked to have regained some momentum, Jason Taumalolo was sent to the sin bin after a careless shot on Papali'i, and the Eels capitalised on the numerical advantage soon after through Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The Cowboys didn't wait for Taumalolo's return to hit back, scoring through Luciano Leilua despite the numerical disadvantage.
The second half started in less-enthralling fashion, with two penalties from the boot of Holmes taking the Cowboys in front. They finally crossed the line after 13 minutes after some nice link-up play and quick hands by Scott Drinkwater and Holmes sent Taulagi through again, giving the Cowboys an eight-point lead as fatigue started to set in.
But despite the conditions and the margin, Parramatta refused to yield with a grand final on the line, and Campbell-Gillard went over for his second just minutes later. With 15 minutes remaining a remarkable no-look offload from Shaun Lane to Maika Sivo put the Eels back in front.
The Cowboys came agonisingly close through Kyle Feldt and took the Eels to the very last tackle, but they couldn't find a way through as Parramatta secured a historic grand final return.
The annual ANZAC Day clash isn't always an accurate reflection of where the participants are at in terms of title prospects, but the Dragons and Roosters played out the closest battle between the two sides since the corresponding fixture in 2017.
The play wasn't particularly attractive, with both sides missing a number of tackles and both reaching double-digit errors in the contest.
Francis Molo opened the scoring in innocuous fashion, waltzing through the middle of the defensive line with surprising ease. The teams traded blows in the next stage with both going close to scoring, before the Dragons doubled the advantage in the 25th minute.
Paul Momirovski and Zac Lomax contested a Ben Hunt bomb, but neither was able to secure the ball, which was scooped up by Jaydn Su'A on the line for the easiest of put-downs. A Lomax penalty late in the half handed the Red V a 14-0 lead at the break.
The Roosters scored the first try of the half thanks to some diabolical play from the Dragons, who showed a real lack of composure in good attacking position, forcing terrible offloads that hit the deck. One was scooped up by James Tedesco, who ran most of the length of the field, and one tackle later the Roosters were finally in through Sitili Tupouniua.
The Tri-colours were lucky to finish with 13 after Daniel Tupou caught Mikaele Ravalava high in a challenge that would have seen him sent off later in the season. He was only placed on report.
The Bondi team came home with a wet sail, and when Joey Manu crossed with 11 minutes remaining a grandstand finish was in order – although they weren't helped when Tupou allowed a Ben Hunt 40/20 to cross the line, seemingly unaware that the attempt had been made.
They chanced their arm on the final play of the game and managed to go 70 metres, but Tupou's horror day continued, with his inside pass going to ground, allowing the Dragons to pounce on it and wind down the clock for an entertaining victory.
It's hard to remember how good the Broncos were during their streak in the middle of the year, given how poorly they finished, but for the wide array of wins they secured during that period, the comeback over the Gold Coast was the most enthralling.
The game started with a sin-bin before scores had even been opened, with Jordan Riki sent for 10 just seven minutes into the contest following a late challenge.
It took the Titans less than a minute to capitalise, with a right-side move shifting the ball through six sets of hands before Preston Campbell challenged the line and won.
They didn't score again with the numerical advantage, but in the moments after Riki's return they found their way across the line through Corey Thompson.
Six minutes later and the Titans were in again after an offload from Tino Fa'asuamaleaui kept the play alive for Toby Sexton to dish out another assist, this time with a perfectly-weighted grubber kick into the in-goal for halve partner AJ Brimson. It was beginning to look like the Broncos' streak was going to end at five games.
But the Broncos finally found a foothold after a break by Selwyn Cobbo. Though he was stopped by Sam McIntyre, the Titan tried to slow play down illegally while a teammate lay injured on the ground, and he was penalised accordingly and sent to the sin bin.
The Titans did well to maintain their composure and line until a brain snap by Esan Martsers, pushing Kurt Capewell back to the ground as the Broncos attacked the line, earning himself 10 minutes in the bin and leaving his team critically undermanned.
They were made to pay immediately as Cobbo went over in the corner, but they restored the 18 point lead despite being two men down after David Fifita bullied his way through for a 20-point lead with 30 minutes remaining.
The Broncos needed to score next and did through a piece of individual brilliance by Te Maire Martin before another mind-boggling decision from the Titans. A short kick-off was immediately pounced on and taken the other way, with Jordan Riki crossing for the second try in two minutes.
With all the momentum, Brisbane continued to catch up, with a Herbie Farnworth try bringing the margin back to two before Kurt Capewell was the first of three Broncos to an in-field kick from winger Corey Oates to take the lead for the first time.
Though the Titans already looked defeated, the Broncos had one more to score, with an excellent Farnworth offload putting Ezra Mam in to seal the result before a Tyson Gamble field goal.