NRL title race wide open

THE finals are here but the NRL premiership race remains the most open in the history of the competition.

On the final day of the regular competition, a Corey Oates-led Brisbane dismantled Manly and Valentine Holmes fired Cronulla past Canterbury. Just two points separates minor premiers the Sydney Roosters and eighth-placed wildcards the Warriors.

Since the introduction of the top eight in 1995, the margin between top spot and eighth has never been smaller than eight points.

But with barely a sliver between all eight sides, the title is anyone’s for the taking.

Oates crossed for four tries in the Broncos’ 48-16 defeat of Manly yesterday to book sixth spot and a home final.

Wayne Bennett suddenly has his side humming and they look like peaking at the right time.

“We couldn’t do what we’ve done the last three weeks without confidence,” Broncos skipper Darius Boyd said.

“It’s about building this time of year. But it’s a new ball game next week. We need to keep it going or else there’s no point being there.”

Cronulla secured its topfour finish as Holmes once again starred in a 30-18 win over the Bulldogs. They will now meet the Sydney Roosters, who wrapped up top spot with a 44-10 demolition of Parramatta on Saturday night.

Since the end of State of Origin, Shane Flanagan’s side has won six games, more than any other side.

However, Flanagan dismissed the suggestion they should be considered one of the teams to beat.

“I thought the Roosters were really skilful and professional about what they did last night,” Flanagan said.

“They knew they were in the top four but they went out and showed some really classy footy, they put some points on and defended really well.

“I thought Souths, there was a period just before halftime where they put their foot down, the Burgess boys were coming off the back fence. Melbourne, they just had too many out and I know Craig [Bellamy] will have his side ready to play.”

South Sydney fired a shot across the bow of the rest of the competition with a 51-10 defeat of Parramatta on Saturday. Melbourne blew its chance to lock up the minor premiership when it fell to Penrith 22-16 — although the Storm were missing starting halves Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft and Billy Slater.

St George Illawarra will face the Broncos, but they have plenty of question marks hanging over them after their patchy 24-14 victory over a Kalyn Ponga-less Newcastle on Saturday.