NRLW Run Home: Battle for top four positions to be decided by handful of games

There’s only two weeks left of the NRLW season, but in a close finish only a handful of games will decide who makes the cut for finals. See how your team is tracking.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Millie Boyle of the Roosters runs with the ball during the round six NRLW match between Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium, on August 26, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

With two rounds to go in the regular NRLW season, the battle for finals spots is intensifying.

Both the Roosters and the Knights are assured their place in the top four, but the Titans, Broncos, Raiders and Dragons are scrapping for a semi-final finish.

We take a look at all the premiership predictions, who has a chance to make the finals and how in the NRLW Run Home.

The Roosters are guaranteed a finals finish. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

1. ROOSTERS

Won: 6, Lost: 1, Drawn: 0, Points: 12, Points Differential: 156

Roosters’ run to the finals

R8: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (W)

R9: Cowboys at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (W)

Predicted finish: 1st, 16pts (8-1)

The Roosters had a hiccup against Canberra in round two but have rebounded out of this world, scoring 190 points and conceding just 42 in the five games since. They’re far and away the best team in the NRLW, but this weekend’s clash against Newcastle should give them a thorough test.

The Knights’ NRLW team is going as good as the men’s. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

2. KNIGHTS

Won: 6, Lost: 1, Drawn: 0, Points: 12, Points Differential: 69

Knights’ run to the finals

R8: Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium (L)

R9: Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium (W)

Predicted finish: 2nd, 14pts (7-2)

A loss to North Queensland earlier in the season has been the only blemish on another big season for the defending premiers. They’ve had close calls against Brisbane, Cronulla and Canberra, but have found a way to win tough. The Roosters will be their biggest challenge on Saturday but they should handle the Tigers in the last round to finish top two.

The Titans have battled injuries but are in good position. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

3. TITANS

Won: 5, Lost: 2, Drawn: 0, Points: 10, Points Differential: -8

Titans’ run to the finals

R8: Eels at Cbus Super Stadium (W)

R9: Raiders at GIO Stadium (W)

Predicted finish: 3rd, 14pts (7-2)

The Titans have battled with injuries all season but have managed enough gritty victories to be fighting for the finals – two off the back of Lauren Brown’s boot with field goals in golden point wins. Those four points look set to be the difference for the Titans between making finals and missing the cut. If they lose this week, they’ll need to beat the Raiders in the final round to assure their spot.

The Broncos are in good shape to make the top four. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

4. BRONCOS

Won: 4, Lost: 3, Drawn: 0, Points: 8, Points Differential: 53

Broncos’ run to the finals

R8: Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium (W)

R9: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (W)

Predicted finish: 4th, 12pts (6-3)

It was a slow start to the season for the Broncos who lost their first two games but have found their way into the top four with two rounds to go. They’re desperate to play finals again after missing out last season, but they’ll need to keep winning with the Raiders nipping at their heels. The Dragons could also make a miraculous surge for the top four if the Raiders and Broncos don’t both score a win this weekend.

The Raiders have been the best-performing new team. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

5. RAIDERS

Won: 4, Lost: 3, Drawn: 0, Points: 8, Points Differential: -31

Raiders’ run to the finals

R8: Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium (W)

R9: Titans at GIO Stadium (L)

Predicted finish: 5th, 10pts (5-4)

Canberra have been the best of the competition newcomers this season and had a four-game winning streak through the middle of the season but now have lost their past two to Brisbane and Newcastle. A win over North Queensland on Sunday will keep their season alive, but they’ll need a big win over the Titans in the last round and hope other results go their way to make finals.

The Dragons need two big wins to feature in finals. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

6. DRAGONS

Won: 3, Lost: 4, Drawn: 0, Points: 6, Points Differential: 14

Dragons’ run to the finals

R8: Sharks at PointsBet Stadium (W)

R9: Broncos at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (L)

Predicted finish: 6th, 8pts (4-5)

One-point losses to Canberra and then the Gold Coast have cruelled the Dragons season, which has been up and down to this point. They’re not totally out of the race for the finals yet, but they need to win both games – and in particular the Broncos in the last round, which could decide the top four. A massive swing in points differential could technically get them there too.

It’s been a disappointing season for Cronulla. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

7. SHARKS

Won: 2, Lost: 5, Drawn: 0, Points: 4, Points Differential: -6

Sharks’ run to the finals

R8: Dragons at PointsBet Stadium (L)

R9: Eels at GIO Stadium (W)

Predicted finish: 7th, 6pts (3-6)

It’s been a disappointing season for Cronulla, who have shown plenty of good things in patches, but just not regularly enough. There’s no realistic chance they can make finals now, but they’ll want to finish the season on a high with a local derby against the Dragons on Thursday and a final round clash against the Eels in a double-header in Canberra.

Sarah Togatuki was suspended for a hip drop tackle. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

8. WESTS TIGERS

Won: 2, Lost: 5, Drawn: 0, Points: 4, Points Differential: -26

Tigers’ run to the finals

R8: Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium (L)

R9: Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium (L)

Predicted finish: 8th, 4pts (2-7)

The Tigers started hot with two-straight wins, but injuries and suspensions have been detrimental to building any momentum this season and they haven’t won a game since. They have a tough end to the season against in form Knights and Broncos but there’s plenty of good to build on for 2024.

Last week’s loss was a low point for the Cowboys. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

9. COWBOYS

Won: 2, Lost: 5, Drawn: 0, Points: 4, Points Differential: -87

Cowboys’ run to the finals

R8: Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium (L)

R9: Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (L)

Predicted finish: 9th, 4pts (2-7)

The Cowboys looked like the surprise packet of the competition when they beat the Knights 31-20 back in round two, but they’ve struggled to reach those heights again. A lack of depth and crucial injuries have been hard to overcome, and last week’s 48-16 loss to the Dragons was the low point. It was their last home game of the season, and now they face the Raiders on the Gold Coast and Roosters in Sydney to round off the year.

The Eels have only managed one win this season. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

10. EELS

Won: 1, Lost: 6, Drawn: 0, Points: 2, Points Differential: -134

Eels’ run to the finals

R8: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (L)

R9: Sharks at GIO Stadium (L)

Predicted finish: 10th, 2pts (1-8)

Losing Elsie Albert and Rachael Pearson in the round one captain’s run was a bad sign for the Eels, who struggled early without the two. Pearson has helped tighten up their attack and their win over the Cowboys in round 6 was a reward for it, but it’s been a miserable season of results otherwise for the young team still learning the game.