The 2024 NRL season has come to an end for Newcastle and Canterbury-Bankstown as minor premiers Melbourne staked their claim to favouritism.
In tropical Townsville, the Cowboys scored a 28-16 win over the Knights on Saturday night in an elimination final.
England-bound winger Kyle Feldt inspired the Cowboys when he scored his side’s only first half try, played a key role in the match winner by Rueben Cotter and ran 281 metres (with an intercept try).
The Cowboys will now meet Cronulla-Sutherland in Sydney this weekend for a place in the qualifying final against Penrith.
Meanwhile, a Harry Grant hat-trick ensured that the Storm captain’s 100th NRL appearance would be in a grand final qualifier after they smashed the Sharks 37-10 at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
The Storm piled on six tries and produced a second half shutout to leave Cronulla seeking to end a seven-match losing streak in finals when they host the Cowboys.
Melbourne are one win away from a grand final appearance and will have a week off before they meet the winner of this next weekend’s clash between Roosters and Sea Eagles match at AAMI Park.
The Sea Eagles outlasted the Bulldogs 24-22 at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
After they trailed 22-12 with 25 minutes to play, tries to Daly Cherry-Evans and Tolu Koula kept Manly in the running for premiership glory.
On Friday, the Panthers defeated the Roosters 30-10 at home as halfback Nathan Cleary returned from injury.
This weekend, the Sharks take on the Cowboys on Friday night at Allianz Stadium while on Saturday, the Roosters and Sea Eagles clash at Allianz Stadium.
In the women’s competition, Parramatta defeated the Raiders 18-16 in Canberra, the Roosters defeated the Cowboys 24-12, defending champions Knights demolished the Titans 46-10, the Broncos beat the Sharks 20-16.
Earlier last week, the West Tigers defeated the Dragons 16-14 at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
