WHAT’S AT STAKE IN THE FINAL ROUND FOR THE NRL’S TOP EIGHT
* MELBOURNE (1st, 34 pts, +179)
To play: Penrith (h)
Outlook: The defending premiers got the win in a week where premiership rivals the Roosters and Rabbitohs slipped up, and are now likely to finish in top spot. Should still get a home qualifying final if they get upset by the sliding Panthers.
* SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2nd, 32 pts, +147)
To play: Parramatta (a)
Outlook: A genuine contender when they had won nine of 10 but have since dropped two in a row and are set to be without Dylan Napa for most of the finals series. Need to show some form against the Eels or risk losing home ground advantage in week one of the play-offs.
* SOUTH SYDNEY (3rd, 32 pts, +104)
To play: Wests Tigers (h)
Outlook: World-beaters just a month ago, the Rabbitohs now own the longest losing streak of all the teams in the top eight with three in a row. Unlikely to drop out of top four with another loss but must get some confidence against the Tigers.
* CRONULLA (4th, 32 pts, +84)
To play: Canterbury (a)
Outlook: Their bullocking win over Newcastle means the Sharks are the most in-form team in the competition with three wins. Can still finish top two if they topple the resurgent Bulldogs but could also drop out of the top four if they lose and other results go against them.
* PENRITH (5th, 30 pts, +50)
To play: Melbourne (a)
Outlook: Look a shadow of the team that led the league in May and are a strong chance of losing a home elimination final should they lose to the Storm as expected and then either the Broncos or Warriors claim wins against teams below them.
* ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (6th, 30 pts, +37)
To play: Newcastle (a)
Outlook: Face limping into the finals as cannon fodder after six losses in eight games, including blowouts to Parramatta and Canterbury. Injuries to Gareth Widdop, Euan Aitken, Paul Vaughan and Jason Nightingale aren’t helping and a road elimination final could be the result.
* BRISBANE (7th, 30 pts, +24)
To play: Manly (h)
Outlook: Finding form at the right time of the year with wins over title contenders the Rabbitohs and Roosters in the past fortnight, and could even steal a home elimination final if they beat Manly and other results go their way.
* WARRIORS (8th, 30 pts, +21)
To play: Canberra (h)
Outlook: Have won three of their past four and, like the Broncos, could snatch a home elimination should they take care of business against the Raiders and some scores fall in their favour. A Warriors final on their home turf is a scary proposition.
