Inside the Wests Tigers' team room at Concord this week there was a simple message written for players as they attempt to defy the NRL's mathematical logic.
"We didn't come this far to only come this far," the whiteboard read.
Tigers players don't need any added motivation, they know their season is on the line against Manly come Thursday night at Campbelltown.
And then on Friday night when the Warriors play Penrith. And again on Saturday when Brisbane clash with the Sydney Roosters.
Because not only must the early-season fairytale story win their final two games of the season against the Sea Eagles and Souths, but they need either the Warriors or Broncos to drop both of their final two-round matches.
Never in the NRL era has a team come from the Tigers' position - of two wins outside the finals - with two weeks to go and made the top eight.
Put simply, the Tigers need a minor rugby league miracle.
"You get to the end of the season and you get what you deserve," coach Ivan Cleary said.
"We get to play first so all we can do now is prepare to play our best footy tomorrow night against Manly.
"The situation is in our hands right now so that's all we can concentrate on and see how the weekend plays out."
Even that might not be enough.
The Tigers trail the Warriors by 45 points in the for-and-against department, while they have to make up 54 points if they want to topple the Broncos.
Even more tricky considering the Tigers' average winning margin is down to less than eight points, with six of their 11 wins coming by four points or less.
But Cleary won't allow his players to throw caution to the wind and go out chasing points against the struggling Sea Eagles.
Because anything less than the club's best-ever defence they've built their season on may mean their hopes end prematurely anyway.
"I think firstly against Manly who have some attacking weapons, our defence has been the cornerstone of our season this year," he said on Thursday.
"For us to win tomorrow night it's going to be at the forefront of what we're trying to do.
"If we can defend well then generally speaking the rest of the game comes off that."
STATS THAT MATTER:
* The Tigers are on track for their best ever defensive season, but their worst ever attacking season.
* Manly have the NRL's worst defence.
* The Tigers have lost a club record seven straight at Campbelltown.
Stats: Fox Sports Stats
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