Dragons have it ALL to play for … in front of no one

It's funny how sport sometimes goes to script.

This weekend's round of fixtures sees an incredible six out of eight fixtures hold genuine competition implications.

The Sharks need to beat the Knights to be a chance at finishing in the top four. History says it's near impossible to win from outside the top four. Given history also says it's also near impossible to go back to back at this level, a win is vital.

The Eels play a South Sydney side playing for pride after a Storm inflicted battering, with their own top four hopes on the line. A win and they finish at least fourth. Incredible.

The Cowboys need to beat the Broncos to guarantee their spot next weekend. If they lose, there's a real chance their brave run comes to an end.

The Broncos need a win to be in for a chance to host in week one of the finals. A loss and they have to travel to either Sydney or Melbourne. A win puts the pressure on the Roosters.

Given recent weeks results, the Roosters should have little trouble accounting for the Titans, but a Broncos win the night before means the pressure is on. A loss here means they're headed to Brisbane. A huge ask.

The Sea Eagles and Panthers are in a straight shoot out for a top eight spot. The winner is in, the loser could very well be on their way to Bali on Monday.

Both could still make the top eight if the Dragons don't put the Bulldogs away.

The Dragons have a huge advantage in that they will host the Bulldogs ... at the Bulldogs home ground, with a crowd of less than 20,000 almost a certainty.

That's right, with a finals spot on the line, the Dragons, after a red hot start and having deserved a finals spot for the majority of the season, the Dragons have their final 'home' game booked or ANZ Stadium.

Despite the obvious fact that ANZ Stadium is the Bulldogs home ground, the Dragons will also run out in front of 60,000+ empty seats, if lucky, rather than a jam packed Kogarah or Win Stadium.

I don't like seeing anyone lose their job, but the person (or persons) responsible for moving the team's final home game of the season to their opponents home ground, in any circumstance should have their sanity tested.

What a way to thank your loyal fans, especially in a season where not a whole lot was expected of the side.

The Dragons have defied critics this season, with many having them closer to a battle for the spoon than a finals spot. With that in mind, a final home game, at a genuine home ground, would have been a good way to go out.

Or on the flip side, what if the Dragons were crowned minor premiers two weeks ago? What a way to celebrate the trophy being handed over in front of a huge home crowd.

Or what if, and stay with me here, the club had to win this weekend to be any chance of finishing in eighth position and qualifying for finals football?

Oh ...

I can't believe some of the decisions that plague our great game. This is a real shocker by the Dragons higher ups.

I guess they can hope that the Cowboys get the job done over the Broncos, and the Sea Eagles and Panthers draw, and the Dragons game on Sunday becomes meaningless....