League: Broncos' bye gives them playoffs spot

The Broncos became the first team to move into playoffs territory thanks to two points from a bye at the weekend after falling only to the Warriors during the State of Origin season. The Warriors are now reduced to hoping other games go their way.

That happened at the weekend with the Sharks, Manly, Dragons and North Queensland stationary after defeats in games they were favoured to win, while the Broncos and Eels, who the Warriors cannot catch, move up as expected.

The Eels have secured second place after thumping the Dragons and look like solid finals contenders.

Four teams are locked on 22 competition points, eight behind Brisbane. Of those, North Queensland scored four times and had a handy lead against the Knights at Newcastle, then struggled against the likely wooden-spooners and collapsed to a 22-18 defeat yesterday.

The Sharks were overturned 24-14 by lowly Souths, thanks to a lack of energy, Manly dropped an away game again 16-12 at Penrith and are starting to look unlikely as finalists because they are not winning away from Brookvale Oval, while the Storm catapulted up the table with a stumbling 20-0 win over Canberra.

Locked on 20 are the Tigers and Roosters after the latter gave the former a 12-4 penalty advantage, Brett Hodgson nailing six points from that, as well as the opening try and two conversions for a personal tally of 14 in a 26-16 result. With them are the losing Dragons and Raiders.

The Roosters are already without prop Adrian Morley and centre Ryan Cross, suspended by the judiciary and unavailable to play the Warriors next Saturday, and are likely to lose Michael Crocker after he was penalised and put on report for a lifting tackle, then sin-binned in the 79th minute yesterday.

Kiwis shine

Kiwis Benji Marshall and Paul Whatuira had good games for the Tigers, who continue to play a smart game plan.

Cowboys kicker Josh Hannay might have won it for them yesterday but could convert only one of four tries, Andrew Johns getting three kicks over, including the 74th-minute conversion of Jarrod Mullen's second in an 18-16 win. The visitors had led all the way after Origin backs Paul Bowman, Matt Sing and Ty Williams, as well as Brenton Bopwen, all scored in the first half. But that was it.

Souths chief Shane Richardson said he would call for an NRL audit of Manly's books if they beat the Rabbitohs to signing Storm halfback Matt Orford. Manly have reportedly offered A$300,000 ($330,000) and Souths A$400,000 plus A$50,000 "outside earnings".

So Richardson clearly believes there must be a brown envelope on offer somewhere if Manly gets him. Orford, and Storm centre Steve Bell, mates going as a package, are expected to announce their decisions this week, as is the Dogs' Braith Anasta.

Solid win

Souths underlined their ability to be competitive with a solid win over the Sharks, fullback Luke MacDougall and bench second rower Mark Minichiello turning on some flash and dash.

The Rabbitohs ground out the early part of the game and gained confidence. MacDougall ran at the line from 30m out and cut through three players to score under the bar. Sharks centre Paul Mellor got a double to keep it close.

In the 55th minute, Souths captain Ashley Harrison did a brilliant off-load to send Minichiello away for his first. Then Minichiello, playing like his State of Origin brother, chipped and regathered the ball, passed and took the return to score and seal a rare win.

The Sharks were hard done-by when referee Shayne Hayne ruled former Warriors centre Vince Mellars had knocked the ball dead while diving at it in the Souths goal. Souths took the possession and scored at the other end.

Panthers struggle

Penrith struggled to beat Manly, bombing several try-scoring chances after Shane Rodney opened their account in the sixth minute. Preston Campbell set that try up with a big bust.

His darts always looked dangerous and eventually he scored. Manly replied through Ashley Alberts. Then Michael Monaghan delivered a cross-field kick for wing Scott Donald, and it was 12-10.

Donald was the villain at the end, muffing a kick from Paul Franze and hooker Luke Priddis was on hand to take the ball, the try and a 16-12 win.

Raiders worse

The Storm also bombed tries but the Raiders were worse in a 20-0 result in Melbourne. Orford kicked for wing Jake Webster to get the only try of the first half and, with a penalty, the home team led 8-0.

It wasn't sealed until the 76th minute when centre Bell ran in, then Webster scored again in the last minute.

Eels slip in

The Dragons were thumped 40-14 by Parramatta on Friday night with an extraordinary try in the 55th minute.

Trent Barrett had kicked the ball, was tackled by P. J. Marsh and chose to come up swinging.

Several players from both teams joined in and, as they punched it out, Eels fullback Wade McKinnon took the ball and ran 65m to score.