Rugby League

Teams wait on last-round miracle, top-four permutations

By AAP Newswire

Aug 31, 2025

The Broncos can finish anywhere from fourth to sixth place. -AAP Image

HOW THE LAST ROUND SHAPES UP FOR NRL HOPEFULS

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1. CANBERRA (44 points, +186) vs Dolphins at Kayo Stadium on Sunday afternoon

Highest/lowest possible position: 1st

Wrapped up the minor premiership with the win over Wests Tigers on Saturday, and the only question now is how many players Ricky Stuart rests.

2. MELBOURNE (40, +228) vs Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night

Highest/lowest possible position: 2nd

Have little to gain in the final round, but Jahrome Hughes' return from injury means Craig Bellamy has foreshadowed rolling out most of his big guns for a practice run.

3. CANTERBURY (38, +138) vs Cronulla at Accor Stadium on Saturday night

Highest/lowest possible position: 3rd

Another team with little to gain. Expect most of their first-choice side to play in the last hit-out before a qualifying final against Melbourne that is already locked in.

4. BRISBANE (34, +156) vs Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night

Highest/lowest possible position: 4th-6th

A win will be enough to wrap up a top-four finish, unless Cronulla somehow have a victory margin 66 points greater than theirs. A loss, however, would leave the Broncos below the Sharks and Warriors if those teams win.

5. CRONULLA (34, +91) vs Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Saturday night

Highest/lowest possible position: 4th-6th

Will know after Brisbane's clash with Melbourne on Thursday if a top-four finish is possible. If the Broncos lose, Cronulla have it all to play for. If Brisbane win, the Sharks could rest players with a home elimination final locked in.

6. WARRIORS (34, +22) vs Manly at 4 Pines Park on Friday evening

Highest/lowest possible position: 4th-6th

Need a lot to go in their favour to make the top four. Want Brisbane and Cronulla to both lose, while also beating Manly themselves on Friday night. If one of those results doesn't go in their favour, the Warriors will have a home elimination final.

7. PENRITH (31, +87) vs St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Saturday afternoon

Highest/lowest possible position: 7th-8th.

Out of contention for a home final in week one. A win will keep the Panthers seventh, while they could fall to eighth if they lose and the Roosters win. Who the four-time defending premiers play in week one will depend on other results.

8. SYDNEY ROOSTERS (30, +102) vs South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Highest/lowest possible position: 7th-10th.

Have their fate in their own hands, with a win against South Sydney enough to play finals. A loss would leave them bundled out if the Dolphins beat Canberra, and the combined margins of those two games totals 16 points or more. A heavy defeat could leave them susceptible to Manly.

9. DOLPHINS (28, +87) vs Canberra at Kayo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Highest/lowest possible finish: 8th-10th

Need the Roosters to lose to South Sydney on Friday night and win their own match against Canberra on Sunday. If the combined margins are 16 or more points in those games, the Dolphins will play finals for the first time.

10. MANLY (28, +20) vs Warriors at 4 Pines Park on Friday night

Highest/lowest possible finish: 8th-10th

Do you believe in miracles? Manly need one. Would have to beat the Warriors and then see the Roosters lose to South Sydney hours later with the two games having a combined margin of 82 points. Even after all that, would still need the Dolphins to lose to Canberra on Sunday.