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SYDNEY - The NRL's top eight is now set, but the finishing order is yet to be determined after the Wests Tigers threw away their last shot at the playoffs with a 26-24 capitulation to Newcastle on Friday.
The Tigers led 24-12 with eight minutes remaining, but folded like a deck of cards to suffer their second successive loss with a Kurt Gidley penalty goal after the siren.
The result ensures the NRL Premiership will be a battle between Melbourne, Manly, North Queensland, New Zealand, Bulldogs, Parramatta, South Sydney and Brisbane.
Only the Storm, Sea Eagles and Cowboys are assured of their finishing positions, but below the top three a dogfight looms over a tense weekend.
The Warriors can secure fourth spot and the last remaining home final with a win over Penrith tonight at CUA Stadium, a result that would also hand the Panthers the wooden spoon.
The Bulldogs blew their shot at a home final by going down to the Cowboys 38-32 in Townsville on Friday.
The Dogs however avoided a dreaded trip to Melbourne next week by reeling in a massive 22-point deficit late in the game to save themselves from finishing in eighth position.
But the blue and white campaign could suffer an even bigger blow than Friday's defeat, with superstar Sonny Bill Williams placed on report for a late tackle on North Queensland gun Johnathan Thurston.
It wasn't just Newcastle fans cheering Friday's remarkable win, as the Tigers loss ensures South Sydney's first finals appearance since 1989.
The Rabbitohs can finish as high as fourth with a win over the Sydney Roosters tonight at Telstra Stadium, but require the Warriors and Eels to both suffer defeats.
Parramatta host Brisbane on Sunday in the other finals-defining clash, both teams desperate to win and avoid an eighth place finish and a trip to Victoria to face the minor premiers.
- AAP
