With simply two common season rounds to go and the ladder jam-packed, the race for the finals is heating up.
The Panthers and Broncos are in rivalry for the minor premiership, whereas a number of groups are combating for a spot within the prime eight.
Remarkably, the Eels nonetheless mathematically have an opportunity to make finals — sure, you learn that proper — however a number of issues might want to go their method.
And if the Round 27 conflict between the Rabbitohs and Roosters wasn’t already set as much as be a blockbuster, the ultimate eight will seemingly all rely upon that recreation.
There’s 11 groups that may nonetheless make the finals. Below is their greatest and worst-case state of affairs courtesy of Fox Sports Lab.
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Raiders outlast valiant Dogs | 02:07
PENRITH PANTHERS
Current place: 1st (40pts)
Best end: 1st
Worst end: 2nd
Remaining video games: Eels, Cowboys
The back-to-back premiers look set to assert their third minor premiership in 4 seasons. All they should do is win the identical quantity of video games because the second-placed Broncos — in the event that they win one much less recreation over the ultimate two weeks than the Broncos then they’ll end second. Coach Ivan Cleary rested three of his key gamers final week and can seemingly give some others a spell over the subsequent fortnight. They tackle an undermanned Eels outfit on Thursday with Izack Tago anticipated to return from a leg harm earlier than going through a determined Cowboys aspect that’s dropped off within the final month.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Current place: 2nd (40pts)
Best end: 1st
Worst end: third
Remaining video games: Raiders, Storm
What a turnaround it might be if the Broncos can go from imploding within the again finish of final season to ending 2023 as minor premiers? They can do it in the event that they win yet another recreation than Penrith do over these ultimate two rounds. And even perhaps higher news is a prime 4 end is locked in with the worst case state of affairs being a third-place end — however for that to occur they’d must lose their ultimate two video games and the Warriors would wish two large wins. The Broncos can be with out skipper and chief playmaker Adam Reynolds as they head right down to the nation’s capital this week, however will get Martin Taupau again from suspension and Corey Oates is because of return from a knee harm too.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Current place: third (36pts)
Best end: 2nd
Worst end: fifth
Remaining video games: Dragons, Dolphins
Rugby league is prospering when the Warriors are taking part in finals — and that’s precisely what’s going to occur this 12 months. Rookie coach Andrew Webster has guided the Warriors to a possible prime 4 end after the membership completed second final in 2022. They have an out of doors likelihood of ending second if the Broncos endure two heavy losses, however what’s wanting most probably is third place. All they should do is defeat the Dragons and Dolphins — or no less than only one extra recreation than the Storm over the ultimate two rounds. There is an opportunity although that the Warriors might drop to fifth, however they’d must lose their ultimate two video games then have the Storm win one recreation after which cowl them in factors differential and in addition the Sharks would wish two wins.
Rapana in sizzling water for late knees | 00:40
MELBOURNE STORM
Current place: 4th (34pts)
Best end: third
Worst end: sixth
Remaining video games: Titans, Broncos
The Storm have had some cold and warm moments this season however nonetheless look set to complete within the prime 4. They might even end third in the event that they win yet another recreation than the Warriors over the subsequent fortnight and make up any distinction in factors differential. But they’ll drop to fifth in the event that they lose yet another recreation than the Sharks and slip behind on factors differential. Melbourne might even drop as little as sixth in the event that they lose their ultimate two video games and the next occurs: the Sharks lose to the Knights in Round 26 after which beat the Raiders and canopy the factors differential; the Raiders and Knights win their ultimate two video games. The good news is there’s nonetheless a chance the Storm can end fourth even when they drop their ultimate two video games. They tackle an undermanned Titans aspect first earlier than an enormous problem in Round 27 within the Broncos. They’ve additionally acquired Ryan Papenhuyzen ready within the wings after spending the previous few weeks in Queensland Cup since getting back from a critical knee harm.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Current place: fifth (32pts)
Best end: third
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Knights, Raiders
Three straight wins have gotten the Sharks again into type — and on the proper time too with two powerful clashes to come back. If they win each they’ll put themselves within the place to complete third however will want the Warriors to lose each of their ultimate two video games, whereas the Storm must lose one recreation and Cronulla must cowl each in factors differential. On the flip aspect, the Sharks might nonetheless miss finals in the event that they lose each of their ultimate video games by giant margins. However the Cowboys must have two large wins and the Rabbitohs would wish to smash the Roosters in Round 27. One win within the ultimate two rounds will seal sixth-placed end at minimal.
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CANBERRA RAIDERS
Current place: sixth(32pts)
Best end: 4th
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Broncos, Sharks
The Raiders recovered from a horror loss to the Storm to seal a much-needed win final week over the lowly Bulldogs however a lot harder duties are forward in clashes with the red-hot Broncos and the Sharks, who’re beginning to discover their mojo once more. The Raiders can end as excessive as fourth in the event that they beat each the Broncos and Sharks — and the Storm and Sharks lose their remaining video games. However, they might miss finals utterly in the event that they lose each video games and three of the next situations happen: the Knights win no less than yet another recreation; the Rabbitohs beat the Roosters in Round 27; the Cowboys win their ultimate two video games or the Roosters win their ultimate two video games. But if the Green Machine can simply safe one win over the subsequent two weeks they’ll end no less than seventh.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Current place: seventh (31pts)
Best end: 4th
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Sharks, Dragons
Seven appears to be the Knights’ magic quantity in the intervening time. They are sitting seventh after securing seven straight wins for the primary time in over 20 years. They will even end no worse than seventh in the event that they win simply one among their ultimate two video games — which does take some strain off. Newcastle might climb as excessive as fourth in the event that they win each remaining video games and the Storm lose each and the Raiders win simply one among their final two. But they’re remains to be an opportunity the Knights might miss the highest eight. They’d must lose their ultimate two video games and two of the next would wish to happen: the Rabbitohs defeat the Roosters; the Cowboys win each video games; or the Roosters win each video games. The Knights acquired the job executed over the Rabbitohs final week with out their star No.7 in Jackson Hastings in an enormous increase to their confidence — and Hastings is due again this week.
‘Cheap’ Trell elbow sees sin bin! | 00:46
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Current place: eighth (28pts)
Best end: sixth
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: BYE, Roosters
The Rabbitohs have made issues harder for themselves by dropping to the Knights on the weekend — and now they’ll seemingly be with out Latrell Mitchell for his or her ultimate recreation with the celebrity No.1 going through a suspension. They’re greatest end is sixth however for that to occur they’ll must beat the Roosters and hope that the Sharks win each of their ultimate video games, the Raiders lose each and the Knights lose each. However the Bunnies might be headed for an early low season in the event that they lose to the Roosters and simply one of many following happens: the Roosters defeat the Tigers this week or the Cowboys win each video games. The encouraging news is although if the Bunnies can simply get a win over their arch rivals in Round 27, a finals spot appears to be like seemingly as a result of the Cowboys would wish to make up 60+ in factors differential.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Current place: ninth (28pts)
Best end: sixth
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Dolphins, Panthers
The Cowboys went on a run earlier this season however look to have run out of steam on the unsuitable time of the 12 months. They can nonetheless end as excessive as sixth although in the event that they beat the Dolphins and Panthers — however they’d want the Sharks to win their ultimate two video games, the Raiders to lose each, the Knights to lose each and the Roosters to defeat the Rabbitohs in Round 27. Realistically to make the eight, the Cowboys must win each video games and both the Raiders or Knights to lose each or the Rabbitohs lose to the Roosters.
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SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Current place: tenth (28pts)
Best end: sixth
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Tigers, Rabbitohs
The Roosters aren’t any strangers to timing a run dwelling to perfection — however even this one is chopping it very effective. Coach Trent Robinson and his gamers know they need to win each video games to provide themselves any likelihood of creating finals however they’ll additionally want one of many following to happen: the Knights lose each of their video games; the Raiders lose each and the Cowboys lose only one. If in some way all of these three happen the Roosters would end sixth.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Current place: eleventh (26pts)
Best end: eighth
Worst end: Miss finals
Remaining video games: Panthers, BYE
It’s not time to pack away the jerseys, scarfs and hats simply but Eels followers as a result of there may be nonetheless hope of creating the finals! But they’re going to wish another outcomes to fall into place. It’ll be as much as the Eels initially by securing an enormous win over the Panthers. Then they’d want the Roosters to lose to the Tigers — however thrash the Rabbitohs — and the Cowboys win no a couple of recreation however fall behind on factors differential.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
