Ditto if the Roosters lose all three of their matches and Canberra win two. More secure are the Sharks (+15), who can be usurped from the top four only if they lose all of their remaining games against the Roosters, Wests Tigers and the Cowboys as they are already on 32 points.

Also on 26 points are the Dragons (+67) but with matches against the Warriors (26), Parramatta (24) and the Roosters they would appear to face a tougher draw.

With a negative for-and-against (-81), the Warriors seem out of reach of a top-four place but they will secure a finals berth if they win two of their matches against St George Illawarra, Penrith (25) and the Eels.

Had they beaten the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium last week, the Broncos (27) would be perfectly placed to sneak into the top four but a draw with Penrith when they were undermanned during Origin may prove costly to both clubs.

Brisbane's run home comprises tonight's local derby with Gold Coast (24), the Bulldogs and an emotional last regular-season home match for departing coach Wayne Bennett against Newcastle (24). If the Broncos do manage to claim fourth place there would be a potential clash with the third Bledisloe Cup Test at Suncorp Stadium on September 13 but indications are that the Australian Rugby Union would not object to the NRL final proceeding the night before - even if the Wallabies and All Blacks had to forego a final training session at the venue under lights.

Of the teams outside the top eight, the Panthers will have to win two - and possibly all - of their three remaining matches against the Storm, Warriors and Sea Eagles to make the top eight, while Parramatta suddenly appear to have the simplest equation as they play the Bulldogs then the Dragons and Warriors. With the Dragons and Warriors two points ahead of them on the premiership ladder, the Eels hold the key to their own fate.

Like Penrith, the Tigers face a tough draw against Manly, Cronulla and the Titans, whose run home also comprises Brisbane and the Sea Eagles.

The Knights host North Queensland tomorrow night but then face the Storm and Broncos.

After losing their past two matches to Melbourne and Souths, Manly need the Storm to be beaten by either the Panthers, Knights or Rabbitohs to have any chance of winning the minor premiership.

  RUN TO THE FINALS Melbourne (34 pts, +231) Panthers (a), Knights (a), Rabbitohs (h)

Manly (32, +222) Tigers (a), Titans (h), Panthers (a)

Cronulla (32, +15) Roosters (h), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h)

Sydney Roosters (30, +73) Sharks (a), Rabbitohs (h), Dragons (h)

Brisbane (27, +68) Titans (h), Bulldogs (a), Knights (h)

Canberra (26, +92) Rabbitohs (a), Cowboys (a), Bulldogs (h)

St George Illawarra (26, +67) Warriors (h), Eels (h), Roosters (a)

NZ Warriors (26, -81) Dragons (a), Panthers (h), Eels (a)

------------------------------------------------------------ ------

Penrith (25, -33) Storm (h), Warriors (a), Sea Eagles (h)

Newcastle (24, +37) Cowboys (h), Storm (h), Broncos (a)

Wests Tigers (24, +10) Sea Eagles (h), Sharks (h), Titans (a)

Parramatta (24, -12) Bulldogs (a), Dragons (a), Warriors (h)

Gold Coast (24, -72) Broncos (a), Sea Eagles (a), Tigers (h)