Sharks halt Panthers’ run
After next weekend’s clash with Dragons, they host Gold Coast, are on the road against the Wests Tigers, travel to New Zealand to take on the Warriors, then finish with home matches against Melbourne and South Sydney. Meanwhile, St George Illawarra must beat Wests Tigers today to keep their flagging finals hopes afloat. Monday’s loss ladder leaders Manly has pitched the Dragons behind the playoffs eight ball to the bottom of the logjam of teams fighting it out for a finals berth over the final seven weeks of the regular season. A win will thrust them into the top eight at the end of the round, following Brisbane’s 30-8 loss to Melbourne on Friday. Caretaker coach Paul McGregor believes the Dragons have to win four of their past seven to feature in the September action, but with their poor for and against only five victories will likely guarantee them a playoffs berth.