With just one round of the NRL regular season remaining, surprisingly the top nine teams can all change ladder position depending on certain results on the final weekend.

Given some of the positional changes take a lot of working out, we at Zero Tackle have gone through all the possible outcomes so you don't have to, and they're here!

Melbourne Storm - 1st, 40 pts

Best: 1st

If the Storm can beat the Sharks on Saturday night, they'll be crowned the 2016 minor premiers. Even a draw would suffice for Melbourne, as they currently sit ahead of Cronulla by one point and have a much superior points differential.

Worst: 2nd

Even with a loss this weekend, the Storm will only drop down to second position, meaning they be playing at AAMI Park in the first week of the finals regardless of the result.

 

Cronulla Sharks - 2nd, 39pts

Best: 1st

A win for the Sharks will see them leapfrog the Storm into first position and claim the 2016 minor premiership. Cronulla beat the Storm in Round 4 this season and will come into the game on the on the back of a strong result against the Roosters last weekend, and will fancy themselves to cause an upset on Saturday night.

Worst: 3rd

Providing the Sharks lose to Melbourne, Shane Flanagan's men may need to travel to Canberra in the opening week of the finals. If Canberra beat the Tigers on Sunday both teams will be equal on 39 points, although as the Sharks' points differential is only six points better than Canberra's after Round 25, so if the margin of a Sharks loss and Raiders win are over seven points combined, Cronulla will drop down to third.

 

Canberra Raiders - 3rd, 37pts

Best: 2nd

A win to the Raiders and a loss to the Sharks will more than likely see the two sides switch positions, as long as the combined margin of the two results exceeds seven points. If they do Canberra will jump into second place, and almost more importantly take a 10-match winning streak into the finals.

Worst: 3rd

The Raiders are five points clear of the Cowboys in fourth, meaning they'll finish in third place if Wests beat them.

 

North Queensland Cowboys - 4th, 32pts

Best: 4th

It's simple for the Cowboys, beat the Titans on Saturday afternoon, and a spot in the top four awaits. North Queensland can't go higher than fourth, but Paul Green's men would just love the fact they get a double chance.

Worst: 6th

With three teams all on 32 points a loss to the Cowboys, plus wins to the Broncos and Bulldogs, will see the Cowboys shuffle all the way down to sixth position. A loss to the Cowboys and a win to just one of those teams will see them finish in fifth.

 

Brisbane Broncos - 5th, 32pts

Best: 4th

The Broncos will be relying on Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, and if the Titans can beat the Cowboys, a win against the Roosters will be enough to see Brisbane occupy fourth spot. If both teams win the Cowboys will stay in fourth as their points differential is much better than Brisbane's.

Worst: 7th

While it may not be a likely conclusion, the Broncos could possibly slip to seventh if big results don't go their way. If they lose to Sydney and the Bulldogs beat the Rabbitohs they slip down to sixth position, but a big loss could slip them further. If Penrith's winning margin and Brisbane's losing margin exceed 40 points combined, then Penrith will overtake the Broncos and Wayne Bennett's men will need to travel to keep their premiership hopes alive.

 

Canterbury Bulldogs - 6th, 32pts

Best: 4th

If Canterbury win and North Queensland and Brisbane lose, then the Bulldogs will jump into the top four. A win to the Dogs and a loss to either of those two sides and the Doggies will finish in fifth.

Worst: 7th

It's the same scenario as the Broncos above, although this one is much more realistic. Should Penrith beat Manly on Sunday and the Bulldogs lose to Souths and the combined margins are over six points, then the Dogs will drop below the Panthers and finish in seventh.

 

Penrith Panthers - 7th, 30pts

Best: 5th

A big win to Penrith and a big loss to Brisbane will see the Panthers jump into fifth, so long as the combined margin of results is more than 40 points. The Bulldogs must lose as well for this to happen. If the Broncos win, then turning over a six point differential between Canterbury and the Panthers will see Penrith host the Dogs in an elimination final.

Worst: 7th

A loss with see Penrith remain in seventh, and wins to Brisbane and Canterbury this weekend will also eliminate the Panthers from climbing the table.

 

Gold Coast Titans - 8th, 27pts

Best: 8th

Gold Coast face another easy scenario, as a win against North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday afternoon would see them play in their first finals series since 2010. Even a draw will do for the Titans, as their points differential is a lot better than the Tigers'.

Worst: 9th

A loss to North Queensland and a victory to the Tigers on Sunday would see the Titans miss out on a finals berth.

 

Wests Tigers - 9th, 26pts

Best: 8th

A Titans loss coupled with a Tigers victory over Canberra on Sunday at Leichhardt Oval would see Wests finish in eighth position. Exciting news for Tigers fans over the past couple of days, however as Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said if the Sharks beat the Storm on Saturday night he'll rest his main players against the Tigers as Canberra won't have anything to play for.

Worst: 9th

A loss to the Tigers ends their season, and a win to Gold Coast no matter the Wests result has the same outcome.

Comments are closed.