Roosters captain James Tedesco watched his team's premiership hopes go up in flames in the space of 26 minutes nearly 12 months ago.
The Roosters lost Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to serious knee injuries, and any hopes of a title went with them.
Concern for Sam Walker
While Smith has since moved to the Rabbitohs, Walker is back on the field and has emerged as the biggest wildcard in the competition as sides navigate late-season injuries in the run to the finals.
Unlike last season, the Roosters are one of the healthiest teams in the league as they have soared up the ladder. The difference for Tedesco is clear but the fullback knows everything can change in an instant.
"Being healthy at this time of year is so important, especially with guys in key positions," Tedesco told 94ddz.com. "The healthiest team is up there winning most years.
"For us having everyone back fit and healthy is really important to build the connection through the team. Hugo [Savala] and Sam have had the past five weeks to build that combination and it's been really good for us."
The Roosters' pain of 2024 has this year been felt by the Sharks, after captain Cameron McInnes ruptured his ACL in Saturday's win over the Titans.
The injury is a major blow to the side's premiership aspirations and will make climbing into the top four a difficult task. After this week's bye, Cronulla play the Knights and Bulldogs to close out the season.
While the Sharks currently have six players in the casualty ward, the Roosters are in the midst of a smooth injury run.
Siua Wong is on track to return from a concussion in Saturday's clash with Parramatta, while Daniel Tupou suffered a head knock last week and joins Nat Butcher on the sidelines.
Other clubs are not so fortunate.
Barnett suffers suspected knee injury
The Warriors' season was sent into a tailspin when Mitchell Barnett tore his ACL in Round 13 and then started to nosedive when halfback Luke Metcalf suffered the same injury four weeks later.
While last week's victory over the Dragons may be enough to keep them inside the top four, the Panthers are breathing down their necks.
Penrith battled a minor injury crisis of their own throughout the first half of the season, with Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi and a host of others spending time on the sidelines.
It's no coincidence the Panthers struggled without their Origin stars and were languishing in last place after 12 rounds.
Their improved health, and a renewed mindset, saw Penrith win nine-straight before last week's golden-point loss to the Storm.
Harry Grant Try
Perhaps the biggest unknown in the Panthers' quest for a fifth-consecutive title is the health of co-captain Isaah Yeo, who is a week-to-week proposition with a shoulder injury.
The Golden Boot winner has been listed in the extended squad for Friday night's showdown with the Raiders in Mudgee and his return would provide a major boost.
Melbourne also have a big question mark hovering over their campaign, with reigning Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes hoping to return in Round 27 after dislocating his shoulder in Round 21.
The halfback is looking to emulate Nathan Cleary, who returned from a similar injury last year to lead Penrith to the title. Haumole Olakau'atu's experience, however, is a cautionary tale of what could happen.
Like Hughes, Olakau'atu avoided surgery after dislocating his shoulder earlier this year. The gamble backfired spectacularly, with the Manly forward dislocating his shoulder again in his first game back. His season is now over.
The Storm are also expecting to welcome back Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Warbrick, Sua Faalogo and Jack Howarth in the coming weeks in a major boost to the finals campaign.
While all clubs suffer injuries throughout the year, some teams navigate the blows better than others.
Melbourne have depth few teams can boast, with both Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet ready to step straight into the halves.
What a kick from Pezet
Canberra have enjoyed a similar luxury this year, with Zac Hosking stepping up as Matty Nicholson's replacement and Jed Stuart turning plenty of heads after filling in for Savelio Tamale.
The form of the replacements means coach Ricky Stuart doesn't have to rush the pair back and they are set to return to the field in the coming weeks.
Raiders hooker Tom Starling said the club is reaping the rewards of a long-term focus on building depth in all positions.
"We want to keep our top 17 fit but unfortunately in this world that's probably not going to happen," Starling told 94ddz.com. "We need people who step into those positions to perform and that's what's happened this year.
"It's contributed a lot to our success and it comes back to the depth of our squad and the players underneath us. Our reserve grade side is a quality team with some good first graders who we're leaving out of the NRL side.
"We need everyone that steps up to be NRL-ready and everyone has been so far so we need to keep that going leading into the finals."
Stick off the old block
While some teams are enjoying a clean bill of health in the run to the finals, injuries are starting to catch up with others.
Brisbane's premiership bid was dealt a serious blow on a horror Thursday night in Melbourne, when Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo all suffered hamstring injuries.
Reynolds is likely to return in the opening week of the finals, while Mam and Cobbo need the Broncos to progress to the grand final to have any chance of playing again this year.
The Dolphins have battled repeated blows to their forward stocks this season and the struggle is starting to catch up with Kristian Woolf's men.
The absence of six key forwards was clear in back-to-back losses to the Roosters and Broncos, with the pack unable to hang with their opponents for the full 80 minutes.
Manly's quest to play finals was also crushed by injuries to their middle forwards, starting with Taniela Paseka's Achilles rupture.
The Sea Eagles remain an outside chance of playing finals this year but must beat the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon to keep their playoff hopes alive.
While injuries have made their task tougher, captain Daly Cherry-Evans said they haven't given up hope of finishing inside the top eight.
"It's really important to know when there's still hope for me to hang on to," Cherry-Evans said. "Hope's a really important part of sport and chasing a result.
"We still have a glimmer of hope and we are going to hold on to that I hope that comes out through our performance this weekend."
