Sporting News
Updated at 7:26 a.m. ET
We're at the pointy end of the season, with finals just a couple of days away.
Melbourne had the Minor Premiership wrapped up weeks ago, while the Cowboys only scraped in courtesy of an almighty choke from the Dragons last weekend.
But which side still remaining in the competition has the best record against other top eight teams?
Ranked from last to first, the list is below...
Penrith Panthers: Anthony Griffin's side only has two wins against other finals bound teams. The first came against Manly in round 18 and the second was opposite the injury-plagued Cowboys in round 23. Penrith lost seven of the nine games they played against top eight teams. The Dragons (four) and the Titans (three) both have more wins over finals-bound sides, while the Warriors and Raiders each claimed two.
Panthers = Two wins and seven losses in nine games against top-eight teams (22.2% win ratio).
North Queensland Cowboys: The eighth placed Cows claimed three wins over top eight teams in a season ravaged by injury. Those wins were against Brisbane, Parramatta and Penrith, with the last coming in round 16. No team inside the top eight lost more games against top-eight teams than the Cowboys - although only the Storm and Broncos played as many games (12) against finals-bound teams. They also lost both of the encounters they had with this weekend's opponents - Cronulla.
Cowboys = Three wins and nine losses (33.3%)
Manly Sea Eagles: Manly recorded five wins and five losses in the 10 games they played against top eight sides. That 50-50 record extends to matches against the Panthers as well, who Manly will take on this weekend. Although...remember Trent Barrett's almighty spray at the refs after the loss in round 18.
Manly = Five wins and five losses (50%)
Brisbane Broncos: The Broncos won six and lost six in their 12 games opposite top eight teams. They split a pair of games against the Cowboys and Roosters, but lost twice to the Storm and the Eels.
Broncos = Six wins and six losses (50%)
Cronulla Sharks: The defending premiers recorded six wins over fellow top eight sides, beating the Eels, Storm, Panthers, Cowboys (twice) and Roosters. Those wins were split fairly evenly over the season, although four of the five losses they suffered against top-eight sides came in the second half of the season.
Sharks = Six wins and five losses (54.54%)
Roosters: Like the Sharks, the Roosters won six of the 11 games they played against top eight teams, beating Penrith, Parramatta, Brisbane, Melbourne, North Queensland and Cronulla. Of the seven losses the second placed Roosters suffered in 2017, five were against finals-bound teams.
Roosters: Six wins and five losses (54.54%)
Parramatta Eels: The fourth placed Eels won six times, but only played nine games against top eight sides. The Eels own wins over the Storm, Manly, Cowboys, Penrith and two over the Broncos. Brad Arthur's team earned three wins over teams that finished above them and were only beaten once by a team that finished in the top three (Roosters).
Eels = Six wins and three losses (66.6%)
Melbourne Storm: No real surprises there, but the Storm's record is very impressive. Craig Bellamy's outfit won NINE game against other top eight sides including two wins each over the Broncos, Sea Eagles and Cowboys. Of the four losses the Storm conceded in 2017, three were against top eight sides, with Cronulla getting doing the business in round six and the Roosters getting it done in round 16. Melbourne's last loss of the year? Against their opponents this weekend - Parramatta.
Storm = Nine wins and three losses (75%)
Replies
Good stats for us, 6 wins out of 9 games against top 8 sides, not bad at all.
Wow Fong, you don't listen to a word anyone says do you? You think making ill-informed comments like this makes you a better man. In actual fact it only highlights my previous observations of you as a pathetic grub. I know you do this to boost your self esteem, since you are the lowest form of life. You even get a kick out of these comments back to you, as you believe they give you a sense of worth. In fact it's now clear that the disgust, shame and acute depression you speak of mirrors your own pathetic life. You need help Fong. I'd suggest you give Lifeline a call.
I'll let you continue to believe that you are the top dog around here if that's what turns you on, but it should be becoming increasingly clear that most 1Eyed Eelers cannot stand you or your ridiculous jibes. Others say that it brings colour to the site, well that may be true but personally I'd rather discuss Parramatta and how we can be the best in the NRL. I'm sure none of this has sunk into your dimwitted head though, and I am expecting another foolish remark from you.
FF ur just boring now, same thing day in day out, it's pathetic ur like a kid trying to get attention, get a life.
Fong, same can be said about your beloved Roosters. The star studded Roosters side just beat a depleted, under strength injury hit rabble in the Titans and they just beat them in the last few minutes.
When other side don't have - halves , hooker fullback they are understrenged but same logic does not seem to apply for our team
I feel sorry for you ,seems you won't enjoy our success unles we are the perform like the American dream team in basketball
Wake up enjoy that we are playing in September and for the first time in 8 years . Wihether we win any games in the semis the rest of us have enjoyed our season , much better than being a sour puss and miserable
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