THE RUN HOME FOR NRL'S WOODEN SPOON CONTENDERS
* CANTERBURY (13th, 12pts, -75)
To play: Brisbane (h), Manly (a), Warriors (a), St George Illawarra (a), Cronulla (a).
Outlook: The round 22 clash with Manly shapes as the most winnable game on the run home. A victory there should lift them to safety, however, a loss could land them in trouble given the remainder of their games are against top-eight teams.
* MANLY (14th, 12pts, -93)
To play: Cronulla (a), Canterbury (h), Gold Coast (h), Wests Tigers (a), Brisbane (a).
Outlook: Realistically need to beat Canterbury and one of the Gold Coast or Wests Tigers to avoid the Sea Eagles' first wooden spoon in their 70-year history.
* NORTH QUEENSLAND (15th, 12pts, -100)
To play: Sydney Roosters (a), Brisbane (h), Cronulla (a), Parramatta (h), Gold Coast (a).
Outlook: Have the talent to avoid the spoon but could fall deeper into the danger zone in a tough three-week period. If they drop each of those, the round 24 match with Parramatta could decide last place before they have one last chance against the Titans in Johnathan Thurston's last game.
* PARRAMATTA (16th, 10pts, -140)
To play: Gold Coast (h), St George Illawarra (h), Melbourne (a), North Queensland (a), Sydney Roosters (h).
Outlook: Have to be favourites for the spoon and need a win at home against the Gold Coast this Saturday before a tough fortnight against the Dragons and Storm. The second-to-last game against the Cowboys could ultimately be crucial.
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