Cronulla Sharks
26 Points – Points For: 364 – Points Against: 318 – Diff. +46
The run home: Brisbane Broncos (A), Manly Sea Eagles (H), Melbourne Storm (A), Nth Queensland Cowboys (H), Newcastle Knights (H), Canterbury Bulldogs (A)
The Sharks play their three remaining home games against low-ranked teams, which should guarantee them six points. Looking at their run, and that of the current top 4, they will need to win at least five to make the top 4 on points alone. Their points differential doesn’t compare with the current top 4, with a difference of 89 between them and the Roosters. Sharks may miss out on the top 4 based on their points differential.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Penrith Panthers
24 Points – Points For: 382 – Points Against: 318 – Diff. +64
The run home: Manly Sea Eagles (A), Canberra Raiders (H), Gold Coast Titans (A), Newcastle Knights (H), New Zealand Warriors (A), Melbourne Storm (H)
The Panthers currently sit two points out of the eight, and with a much lower points differential to the current 4th placed Roosters, you would think the Panthers would have to win all their remaining games for them to finish in the top 4. The next four weeks they play teams outside the 8, though finishing with the Warriors away, and then Storm, a top 4 finish seems unlikely.
Predicted Finish: 6th
