After this weekend there could be only nine teams left

We are now two weeks past the halfway point of the NRL season but after this weekend it is not out of the question that only nine teams will be left chasing a finals spot.

That is a massive call considering the amount of games yet to be played, but the way this season is shaping up, it's the top nine and the rest.

At the start of the round, the Dragons and Panthers led the way on 22 competition points. The Bunnies and Warriors were on 20, with the Storm, Roosters and Sharks on 18. The Broncos rounded out the top eight on 16 points, with the Tigers their closest rivals on 14.

For Canberra (12), Newcastle (12) and the Titans (10) the equation is simple; they must win nearly every game from here on in to play finals footy.

As for Manly, The Cowboys, and the Dogs (all 8) Bali beckons. The Eels despite their win on the weekend have only the six competition points and could have had their Mad Monday a month ago.

Half the competition has already had the bye. The Bunnies, Roosters, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Sea Eagles, Cowboys and Eels all have a guaranteed two points left.

Newcastle and the Tigers will benefit most from the bye points but unless the Knights beat the Storm this weekend, it may all be for naught.

The game of the round, in terms of finals positioning, is the Tigers vs Raiders clash on Sunday afternoon.

If the Tigers win this contest, they can join the Broncos on 16 competition points. This would leave a four point gap between the eighth spot and the Raiders.

If the Broncos upset the Sharks in the Shire, it would point a six point gap between the Broncos in eighth on 18 and the Raiders on 12. That all but ends Canberra's final chances.

Newcastle need to beat the Storm on Sunday afternoon or face being in the same position as Canberra. With Mitchell Pearce due back very soon the Knights probably have more wins in them that the Raiders, but a six point gap now just looks too much.

A Raiders win over the Tigers combined with a Sharks win over the Broncos really opens up the competition. With the Broncos on 16 points, and the Tigers, Raiders and possibly Knights on 14, we could have a massive four-way battle for eighth spot.

That would all but cement the top seven but would open up a mouth watering competition within the competition.

The Tigers and Knights have their bye up their sleeve putting the pressure on the Raiders and Broncos.

Sunday afternoon's two fixtures shape as season defining for all four teams.

Storm: A win over the Knights puts Melbourne on 20 competition points. That positions them, at worse, six points clear of ninth spot. Their top eight position would be all but assured. A top four spot is up for grabs.

Knights: A win over the Storm takes Newcastle to 14 points. That could leave them just one win outside the top eight. A loss means they could fall six points adrift and would mean that they'd have to win almost all of their remaining games. With all due respect to the Knights that doesn't look possible, especially with some tough games in the coming weeks.

Tigers: A win could see the Tigers join the top eight by Sunday evening. They have a far superior points difference to the Broncos who face a tough away trip to the Shire to play the Sharks. That would put the Tigers in a very good position given they have a bye up their sleeve and the fact the Broncos do not. A loss could see them fall four points outside the eight and despite the bye would put them on the back foot.

Raiders: A win would see the Raiders lift to 14 points. That would either put them two or, at worst, four points outside the eight. They've enjoyed their bye. A loss puts them at least four, and possibly even six points behind eighth spot. Six points, given they've banked their bye points, means season over for the Green Machine.

With over two months left in the 2018 season it's incredible to think a team's season could be over but that's a very real possibility for almost half of the competition this weekend.