NRL finals race heats up after Sea Eagles, Broncos win

This Saturday could well be one that NRL fans look back on and remember as the day that shaped the top eight in 2024.

The Manly Sea Eagles, Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs all secured decisive victories to improve their chances of making the top eight – and damaged those of the Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons.

With just four rounds left to play after this weekend, the finals picture is becoming clearer.

Sea Eagles thrash Raiders to strengthen top-eight chances

The Sea Eagles headed to Canberra to begin Saturday’s action, taking on a mercurial Raiders team.

Both sides were desperately seeking a win. For Manly, it would secure their place in the top eight, while for Canberra it would see them return to the eight.

The visitors had a slight edge in the betting odds ($1.64 to $2.26), but were the far better side, thrashing the Raiders 46-24.

Manly ran in eight tries within the first hour, with two late scores for Canberra making the scoreline appear more flattering than the match was.

The win takes the Sea Eagles to sixth place on the ladder with 29 points, while the Raiders stay in 10th place, two points adrift from the cut off.

Broncos hurt Cowboys’ chances

Saturday’s second match saw a hurting Brisbane side, who were embarrassed by the Gold Coast Titans last week, head to Townsville to take on the North Queensland Cowboys.

Brisbane finally gave their fans something to cheer about, putting on the kind of performance that had them as second favourites to win the title heading into the 2024 season.

The Broncos ran in seven tries, including four in the final 17 minutes, scoring 36 unanswered points after falling behind early.

Their slim finals hopes are kept alive with the victory, but Brisbane still sit in 11th place, four points off eighth spot on the NRL ladder.

The Cowboys, however, fall further and now rest in seventh place on 28 points, having previously been pushing for a top-four spot earlier in the season.

Bulldogs dominate in-form Dragons

Last week, the Dragons showed they meant business by upsetting the top-of-the-table Melbourne Storm.

This week, it was the Bulldogs turn to signal their intent, comprehensively beating their fellow top-eight side.

Playing away from home at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney, the Bulldogs got off to a perfect start through Matt Burton in the third minute of the game.

A brace to Bronson Xerri saw them take a 20-10 half-time lead, which they extended while keeping St George Illawarra scoreless in the second half.

Their victory takes them to within touching distance of the top four, sitting fifth on 30 points.

The Dragons, meanwhile, teeter on the brink, currently placed eighth with 26 points.

Top sports bookmakers have improved Canterbury’s odds of winning the title this year significantly, putting the Bulldogs at $13 now, the joint-fourth line of betting.

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