Eight into three doesn’t go, as the fight for the NRL finals heat up

Embed from Getty Images

There are seven rounds to go in the NRL season, and we've got a log-jam of teams who could finish in the final three spots on the table.

Here's why each side can make it to the promised land!

6. Parramatta - 20pts

The Eels sit percentage above Penrith in sixth position on the ladder and four points below the top four. Over the course of the year, the Eels have excelled on offence, averaging 22.8 points per game, which is the third most in the competition. However, an issue they have faced is their ability to wrestle back momentum when opponents go on a scoring spree. In their last five defeats the Eels have conceded 35 points on average, including 64 points against the Storm. If they can find a way to attest their issues when opponents gain the upper hand, then they are every chance of challenging this season.

7. Penrith - 20pts

The Panthers are in a similar position to the Eels whereby they struggle to prevent their opponents from going on scoring sprees. Unlike the Eels, the Panthers are not strong on offence and have scored the second-fewest points in the competition (16.4 points per game). Penrith have won their last seven games to climb their way up the table. They can continue to work their way up the ladder in the next three weeks as they face St George and Canterbury who are in the bottom three and the Raiders.

8. Newcastle - 18pts

The Knights have lost four of their last five games to sit one-point ahead of the two teams vying for their place in the top eight. Prior to their form slump Newcastle were regarded as one of the premiership contenders and on their day and could still be in the race, but first they need to secure their place in the top eight. The Tigers face Manly and Parramatta within the next three weeks which would be pivotal to their finals aspirations.

The Knights were looking strong prior to the Origin period, but have now moved back into the travelling pack, and trailed the Panthers and Eels in which sides are favoured with the bookmakers to make the eight.

However they currently sit ahead of all of the sides beneath them on this list. Be sure to check the rugby league odds here for all of the odds on each side.

9. Warriors - 17pts

The Warriors sit one-point behind the top eight but are the most in-form team of any of the teams outside the top eight. The Warriors have won three of their last four games, including a four-point win over the Knights in round 15. The Warriors have conceded 20.7 points per game this season, which is the sixth most in the league. If they can work on their defence, they will have every chance of making the finals this season.

10. Brisbane - 17pts

The Broncos will need overturn their current form if they are to make the finals in Anthony Seibold's first season at the club. Brisbane are undefeated in their last three games, but prior to that they had lost two games to teams in the top eight and the bottom of the ladder Gold Coast Titans. Their next four weeks will be crucial as they face the Titans again and then the top of the ladder Storm, Cowboys and Panthers. Questions still remain over their halves and their young forward pack, but if they can find form, they will be in the mix for the top eight.

11. Cronulla - 16pts

Cronulla's finals aspirations have diminished following a run of five defeats in a row. The Sharks average 20 points per game but have conceded 20.5 points per game. They face Souths and Penrith in the next three weeks, which will make their chances of making the top eight even more difficult.

12. Wests Tigers

Three defeats on the trot has resulted in the Tigers sitting two points out of the top eight. Their record at home has been a positive, yet it is their form on the round that is a worry. The Tigers have lost six of their eight games on the road, which has left them clinging to their finals hopes.

13. North Queensland - 16pts

The Cowboys' top eight hopes are clinging by a thread after one win in the past month. Fortunately for the Cowboys, their next three games are against teams that sit outside the top eight, which means they could still be a chance of playing finals this season. The Cowboys will need to improve their home form if they are to make the finals as they have won three of their nine home games.