The run to the finals – Sharks v Warriors

Cronulla Sharks (8th place/18 points) Draw:

Round 18 – Warriors (home), round 19 – Roosters (TBA), round 20 – Raiders (TBA) The Sharks are a talented side – just ask the Warriors, following the 46-10 belting they copped in July. But Cronulla have been somewhat of a flat track bully in 2020.

They haven’t beaten a topeight side all year and have matches against heavyweights the Roosters and Raiders to round out their campaign.

Those games may not matter, though, as they can essentially end the Warriors’ season with a win next week.

That task will be made all the more difficult with the expected loss of halfback Chad Townsend and captain Wade Graham, who face three and two-week suspensions respectively with early guilty pleas. But Shaun

Johnson is likely to return from injury. The former Warriors star, in close to career-best form, is pivotal to the Sharks’ chances. And having been criticised during his time at Mt Smart for failing to step up in the big games, how ironic would it be if he led Cronulla into the top eight at the expense of his old club?

Warriors (9th place/14 points) Draw:

Round 17 – Eels (Central Coast Stadium), round 18 – Sharks (away), round 19 – Raiders (TBA), round 20 – Sea Eagles (TBA)

As well as they have played over the last month, the reality is the Warriors will have to play better in the final stretch of the season – and even that may not be enough to make the playoffs.

With three top-eight sides in their last four games, the draw has done them no favours. The match against the Raiders is all but certain to be in Canberra – the toughest road trip in the competition. Even injury-hit Manly could have the services of star fullback Tom Trbojevic by the time they play the Warriors, and they are a different team with him in the No 1 jersey.

On top of that, the Warriors are walking the injury tightrope, with only 20 fit players available to face the Eels. They also have to cross their fingers that Parramatta and Penrith don’t run into injury trouble in the hope of getting George Jennings, Daniel Alvaro and Jack Hetherington back on loan.

In a season where the odds have been stacked against them, so much needs to go their way. Yet it was only a few weeks ago that they were not even in the conversation.

Improbable, yes, but not impossible.