Wide-open NRL title race now down to eight

The 2018 NRL finals race is shaping as the closest in the history of the competition.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett embraces Anthony Milford.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has embraced another NRL win with his side peaking at the right time. (AAP)

The finals are here but the NRL premiership race remains the most open in the history of the competition.

On the final day of the regular competition, a Corey Oates-led Brisbane dismantled Manly and Valentine Holmes fired Cronulla past Canterbury.

Amazingly just two points separates minor premiers the Sydney Roosters and eighth-placed wildcards the Warriors.

Since the introduction of the top eight in 1995, the margin between top spot and eighth has never been smaller than eight points.

But with barely a sliver between all eight sides, the title is anyone's for the taking.

Oates crossed for four tries in the Broncos 48-16 defeat of Manly on Sunday to book sixth spot and a home final.

Wayne Bennett suddenly has his side humming and they look like peaking at the right time.

"We couldn't do what we've done the last three weeks without confidence," Broncos skipper Darius Boyd said.

"It's about building this time of year.

"But it's a new ball game next week. We need to keep it going or else there's no point being there."

Cronulla secured their top-four finish as Holmes once again starred in their 30-18 win over the Bulldogs.

They will now meet the Sydney Roosters, who wrapped up top spot with a 44-10 demolition of Parramatta on Saturday night.

Since the end of State of Origin, Shane Flanagan's side have won six games, more than any other side.

However Flanagan dismissed the suggestion they should be considered one of the teams to beat.

"I thought the Roosters were really skilful and professional about what they did last night," Flanagan said.

"They knew they were in the top four but they went out and showed some really classy footy, they put some points on and defended really well.

"I thought Souths, there was a period just before halftime where they put their foot down, the Burgess boys were coming off the back fence.

"Melbourne, they just had too many out and I know Craig (Bellamy) will have his side ready to play."

South Sydney fired a shot across the bow of the rest of the competition with a 51-10 defeat of Parramatta on Saturday.

Melbourne blew their chance to lock up the minor premiership when they fell to Penrith 22-16 - though they were missing starting halves Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft and Billy Slater.

St George Illawarra will face the Broncos but there have plenty of question marks hanging over them after their patchy 24-14 victory over a Kalyn Ponga-less Newcastle.

The Warriors were likewise less than convincing as they beat Canberra 20-16 to finish in eighth on Friday.

Johnathan Thurston produced one last bit of magic as North Queensland triumphed 30-16 in the last game of his glittering career.


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Source: AAP



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