NRL: How the Warriors can finish third ... or last

Deputy Head of Sport·NZ Herald·

24 Jul, 2017 07:10 PM2 mins to read

Mason Lino congratulates Bunty Afoa on the first try of the match against the Cowboys. Photosport

It's that time-honoured tradition of working out if the Warriors can make the playoffs.

The side hasn't made the NRL playoffs since 2011, the second longest drought in the NRL, and currently sit six points outside of the Top 8 following Saturday's defeat to the Cowboys.

With starting halfback Shaun Johnson ruled out for at least a large chunk of the remaining six games, it seems unlikely the Warriors, currently with seven wins and 11 defeats, will be playing playoffs football this season.

28 points has often been regarded as the marker to reach the NRL playoffs, it's been that case for the last eight seasons, but it seems that number will be possibly two or four points higher this year.

However, here's something Warriors fans can hang onto. According to the NRL.com table predictor, the Warriors can finish as high as third place.

All they have to do is win their remaining six games against the Sharks, Knights, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Tigers. Which gets them on 30 points.

The Knights, West Tigers and Rabbitohs need to also win a lot of their remaining games while the Sharks and Broncos have to each win one of their last six.

Nine teams could finish on 30 points from third place to 11th - with some big wins for the Warriors getting them into third on points difference. Playing away to the Roosters in the first week of the playoffs. Simple maths.

How the NRL season could (but probably won't) finish

Now the other side of the coin. The Warriors can finish as low as 16th if they lose their remaining games and Newcastle run the table.

Yes it's equally unlikely but the Warriors are still a chance to get the wooden spoon, a 'mathematical chance' which is a term you often hear with the Warriors in late July and August.

What's more likely to happen is the Warriors win three of their last six and finish on 24 points. That will put them in 11th spot and a sixth straight year without going beyond round 26.