The race for a top-four finish in the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership will come down to the final match of the season with the Titans, Raiders and Broncos vying for two spots on the ladder.
Brisbane will travel to Kogarah on Saturday for a clash against the Dragons and must win to advance or otherwise be reliant on the Titans to beat the Raiders on Sunday.
Canberra and Gold Coast clash in the final match at GIO Stadium with the Titans two competition points ahead of both the Broncos and Raiders going into Round 9.
Newcastle Knights (1st)
- Current: 14 points, +85 differential
- Best case finish: 1st
- Worst case finish: 2nd
- Remaining game: v Wests Tigers (A)
The Knights can secure their first-ever minor premiership with victory at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night after a win against the Roosters last week gave them the upper hand leading into the finals. If the Knights lose, the Tricolours have a chance to finish first with victory over the Cowboys. Either way though, a home final is locked in for the defending premiers.
The top 10 plays from Round 8, 2023
Sydney Roosters (2nd)
- Current: 12 points, +140 differential
- Best case finish: 1st
- Worst case finish: 3rd
- Remaining game: v Cowboys (H)
The Roosters’ loss to Newcastle last week leaves them in a position where they’ll need to beat the Cowboys to lock in a top-two finish and home final. If they’re unable to beat North Queensland they will hope the Raiders can beat the Titans and avoid being overtaken. The Roosters’ strong points differential will see them finish no lower than third.
Gold Coast Titans (3rd)
- Current: 12 points, +14 differential
- Best case finish: 2nd
- Worst case finish: 5th
- Remaining game: v Raiders (A)
The Titans will know where they stand going into their final round clash against the Raiders on Sunday but put simply, must win to avoid any chance of being bundled out of the finals. Gold Coast’s 6-2 record is impressive but their close wins mean their points differential can be overtaken. If the Broncos beat the Dragons and the Titans are beaten they can’t afford it to be by 12 points or more.
Brisbane Broncos (4th)
- Current: 10 points, +57 differential
- Best case finish: 3rd
- Worst case finish: 5th
- Remaining game: v Dragons (A)
The Broncos have been the sleeping giant in the past month and are the major beneficiaries of a longer competition, winning three of their last four games. A victory could put them as high as third given the Roosters' points differential is 83 ahead of them. A loss to the Dragons though will have Scott Prince's side facing a nervous wait with the Titans then needing to beat the Raiders for them to advance.
Canberra Raiders (5th)
- Current: 10 points, -9 differential
- Best case finish: 3rd
- Worst case finish: 5th
- Remaining game: v Titans (H)
A big win against the Cowboys last week has put the Green Machine back in the frame for a top four finish but they still have some work to do on home turf this weekend. They must beat the Titans by a margin of at least 12 points to move through to the finals. It's been an impressive first season by Darrin Borthwick's side but their minus differential could cost them with some heavy losses in between memorable wins.
Missing the finals: St George Illawarra Dragons (6 points), Cronulla Sharks (6 points), Wests Tigers (4 points), North Queensland Cowboys (4 points), Parramatta Eels (2 points).
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