The finals are fast approaching and it was especially fierce fighting taking place in the Premier League, as the formerly 'clear' top eight now has competition from the likes of Surfers Paradise, Central Coast, and Adelaide. Can any of these teams make a miracle finals appearance?

Central have triumphed in what will surely be a preview of the finals, the Phoenix looking strong in a 36-18 victory over the Wollongong Destructors at WIN Stadium. The Phoenix were without star five eighth Ronan O'Gara, but their pack well and truly stood up to make up for their Irish talisman's absence.
Wollongong: Luke Covell, Paul Gallen, and Jaime Soward. Patrick 3/3
Central: Luke Burt, Luke Lewis, Keith Senior, Sean Towers, Ashwin Willemse, and Joe Vagana. Maquina 6/6
HT Score: Central 24-6
Penalties: Central 5-3
Completion Rates: Wollongong 55% Central 73%
Possession: Central 55%
PoM Points: Joe Vagana 3, Jonny Maquina 2, and Sean Towers 1.

Brisbane have been aided to an unconvincing 27-18 victory over doomed Wagga today by a treble of tries to Michael Crocker. The Stallions showed plenty of tenacity, Dominik Bush scoring a double in a beaten side. Crocker's wow of a night was capped off with a somewhat lop-sided field goal.
Wagga: Dominik Bush 2. Magro 4/5
Brisbane: Leon Bott, Michael Crocker 3, and Karmichael Hunt. Hannay 3/6. Crocker 1 fg.
HT Score: Brisbane 10-4
Penaltie: Wagga 7-5
Completion Rates: Wagga 50% Brisbane 70%
Possession: Brisbane 54%
PoM Points: Michael Crocker 3, Karmichael Hunt 2, and David Stagg 1.

Northern have put their top four aspirations back on track today, the Cannons shrugging off last week's shock loss to Central Coast with a big 36-18 victory over top four rivals, Wellington.
Northern: Michael DeVere, Frederick Michalak 2, Matthew Head, George Smith, and Phil Graham. Pariah 6/6
Wellington: Clyde Rathbone, Brent Webb, and David Kidwell. Tai 3/3
HT Score: 12 all
Penalties: Northern 9-6
Completion Rates: Northern 66% Wellington 72%
Possession: Northern 53%
PoM Points: Michael DeVere 3, Trent Pariah 2, and Phil Graham 1.

There is little doubting that Sydney are one of the form teams in the Premier League, the Oilers stepping things up a notch today with a big 38-12 thumping of the Darwin Cyclones.
Sydney: Pennywise Tupanga-anga, Darren Bennet, Robbie Farah 2, Benji Marshal, and Craig Gower. Bennet 7/7
Darwin: Daniel Heckenberg and Steve Menzies. Bowen 2/2
HT Score: Sydney 14-6
Penalties: Sydney 10-1
Completion Rates: Sydney 76% Darwin 53%
Possession: Sydney 58%
PoM Points: Robbie Farah 3, Benji Marshal 2, and Darren Bennet 1.

The return of recently absent coach Ben Quinn has had an immediate effect on the ailing fortunes of Melbourne, the Executioners toughing out a 20-10 victory over long term rivals, Adelaide.
Melbourne: Darren Albert, Richard Horne, and Terry Newton. Constipolous 4/4
Adelaide: Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw. Carter 1/2
HT Score: Melbourne 18-0
Penalties: Melbourne 8-2
Completion Rates: Melbourne 67% Adelaide 61%
Possession: Melbourne 54%
PoM Points: Brent Tate 3, Richard Horne 2, and James Harrison 1.

Game of the round honours were handed to the clash between Capetown and Gold Coast this week, with the form team of the competition playing host to an out of form premiership leader. The game delivered everything expected of it and more, with a late Kevin Sinfield field goal sealing a memorable and hopefully form reversing 25-18 victory for the visitors.
Capetown: Martin Gleeson, Brett Seymour, and Leon Pryce. Way 3/3
Gold Coast: Julian Santarakista 2, Matt King, and Tommy O'Reilly. Johns 4/5. Sinfield 1 fg.
HT Score: Capetown 12-8
Penalties: Gold Coast 8-3
Completion Rates: Capetown 62% Gold Coast 57%
Possession: Gold Coast 56%
PoM Points: Julian Santarakista 2, Andrew Johns 2, and Matt King 1.

Parramatta's good run of form since the arrival of new coach Vahe Ohannessian continued today with a much needed albeit unimpressive 24-20 victory over the Auckland Pirates - who now have to play to avoid the wildcard relegation spot.
Parramatta: David Solomona, Nathan Hindmarsh, and PJ Marsh 2. Fitzgibbon 4/5
Auckland: David Peachey 2, Ben Tune, and Shane Mongta. Hezgoodaba 2/4
HT Score: Parramatta 24-16
Penalties: Parramatta 9-4
Completion Rates: Parramatta 74% Auckland 57%
Possession: Parramatta 53%
PoM Points: Craig Fitzgibbon 3, PJ Marsh 2, and Harley Autitia 1.

The drought is finally over for fans of the struggling Perth Taipans, with the side performing a minor miracle to upset top eight contenders Surfers Paradise today, 30-18.
Surfers Paradise: Darren Lockyer, Paul Deacon, and Steve Bell. Deacon 3/3
Perth: Tony Fabri, Justin Hodges, Aaron Payne, Willie Mason, and Trent Waterhouse. Wilkinson 5/6
HT Score: Surfers Paradise 12-0
Penalties: Perth 7-4
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 66% Perth 75%
Possession: Perth 54%
PoM Points: Jonny Wilkinson 3, Torsten Fiedler 2, and Rhys Wesser 1.

Central Coast's late season charge picked up momentum in today's clash against Hornsby, the Falcons looking unstoppable in a 42-0 whalloping of the hopeless Mavericks. Sean Long was again a key player, but it was English hooker Mickey Higham who stole the show.
Central Coast: Jordan Capri, Reni Maitua 2, Sean Long, Paul Sculthorpe 2, and Graeme Timms. El Masri 7/8
Hornsby: None.
HT Score: Central Coast 18-0
Penalties: Central Coast 12-5
Completion Rates: Central Coast 80% Hornsby 45%
Possession: Central Coast 65%
PoM Points: Mick Higham 3, Reni Maitua 2, and Sean Long 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 18 3 0 670 297 +373 36
2. Northern 16 5 0 548 382 +166 32
3. Wellington 15 6 0 565 363 +202 30
4. Capetown 13 8 0 563 338 +225 26
5. Sydney 13 8 0 505 329 +176 26
6. Central 13 8 0 504 468 +36 26
7. Wollongong 12 9 0 492 343 +149 24
8. Brisbane 11 10 0 410 387 +23 22

9. Melbourne 11 10 0 399 377 +22 22
10. Surfers Paradise 11 10 0 428 468 -40 22
11. Darwin 10 11 0 411 451 -40 20
12. Parramatta 10 11 0 377 466 -89 20
13. Adelaide 9 12 0 440 396 +44 18
14. Central Coast 9 12 0 429 402 +27 18
15. Auckland 6 15 0 290 583 -293 12
16. Perth 5 16 0 318 614 -296 10
17. Hornsby 4 17 0 264 639 -375 8
18. Wagga 3 18 0 318 628 -310 6

i desereved that - damn - big game - teams in next week!i will avenge this loss bumper benny!!!

Whooot.... we're coming up baby! Could this be the start to something beautiful like the Falcons defending their Premiership?

One more defeat and you'll find it very difficult to make the playoffs.

Muahhaahhahaha, you will never defeat me, never..................................

wooooooo

"PoM Points: Jonny Wilkinson 3, Torsten Fiedler 2, and Rhys Wesser 1."

Rhys Wesser? I didnt even name him in my side hes injured.

Typo on my part, it's meant to be Preston Campbell.

Redfern continue to confound their critics, the All Whites bettering their previous scoring best with a massive 46-0 thumping of Geelong today. The All Whites team of relative no names continues to chase its dream of a top eight berth.
Geelong: None.
Redfern: Joe Black 3, Ruben May, Ryan Thumper-Knox, Ryan Hudson, Travis Rose, and Andy Hendersen. Thumper-Knox 5/7. Dynevor 2/2
HT Score: Redfern 28-0
Penalties: Redfern 11-4
Completion Rates: Geelong 53% Redfern 72%
Possession: Redfern 65%
PoM Points: Joe Black 3, Chris Walker-Bush 2, and Nathan Sutton 1.

The absence of Mark Fowler continues to have an effect on the Newcastle Fear, who followed up last week's impressive win with a dismal performance at home to lose 30-16 to Bondi.
Newcastle: Marc Barctholomeausz, Karl Pryce, and Malcolm Alker. Harris 2/3
Bondi: Lee Gilmour, Kane Cleal, and Matt Adamson 2. Thorman 7/7
HT Score: Bondi 18-6
Penalties: Bondi 12-5
Completion Rates: Newcastle 60% Bondi 57%
Possession: Bondi 55%
PoM Points: Lee Gilmour 3, Manuel Manolis 2, and Matt Adamson 1.

Liverpool have scored a shock 22-12 victory over Carnarvon today, the loss casting severe doubts over Carnarvon's top eight aspirations. Whilst the two sides were only separated by one try, the inability to convert from Cameron Dufour meant that Liverpool were never in doubt.
Liverpool: Marcus Bai, Gus McCrae, Adam Hughes, and Grant Johnston. March 3/4
Carnarvon: Cameron Shepard, Cameron Dufour, and Joe Williams. Dufour 0/3
HT Score: Liverpool 22-4
Penalties: Liverpool 10-3
Completion Rates: Liverpool 75% Carnarvon 69%
Possession: Liverpool 53%
PoM Points: Adam Hughes 3, Paul March 2, and Adam Dykes 1.

Eastwood looked like a new side today, the Pumas rampaging over higher placed Campbelltown to give long serving and soon to be departing coach Vahe Ohanessian a 36-6 victory.
Campbelltown: Gareth Raynor. Martin 1/2
Eastwood: Craig Kenniwell, David Hodgson, Anthony Tyan, David March 2, Anthony Watmough, and Aurelion Cologni. March 4/7
HT Score: Eastwood 14-6
Penalties: Campbelltown 6-5
Completion Rates: Campbelltown 56% Eastwood 73%
Possession: Eastwood 58%
PoM Points: Craig Kenniwell 3, David Fa'alogo 2, and David March 1.

It was one sided today in North Queensland's clash against cellar dwelling Waikato, the Dolphins racing in nine tries to nil in a 48-0 humiliation of the hopeless Waikato Breakers.
Waikato: None.
North Queensland: Jean-Emmanual Cassin 3, Paul King, Mark McLinden 2, David Frame, and Bill Narwan 2. Kirchner 6/9
HT Score: North Queensland 8-0
Penalties: Waikato 5-4
Completion Rates: Waikato 61% North Queensland 68%
Possession: North Queensland 62%
PoM Points: Bill Narwan 3, Jean-Emmanuel Cassin 2, and David Frame 1.

New England have all but secured themselves with a top four berth following today's tough 18-10 victory over Lake Heights. Four points now separate fourth placed New England and fifth placed Canberra.
Lake Heights: Rico Gear and Nathan Graham. Kempton 1/2
New England: Manu Vatuvei, Kees Meeuws, and Matt Bickerstaff. Ferris 3/3
HT Score: New England 12-0
Penalties: Lake Heights 8-2
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 60% New England 63%
Possession: Lake Heights 51%
PoM Points: Rico Gear 3, Manu Vatuvei 2, and Rudi Vedelago 1.

Tamworth City continue to dog the heels of Tasmania much as the Devils did to them earlier in the season, the Titans scoring a big 36-22 victory over Port Macquarie today to keep in touch with the league leading Devils.
Tamworth City: Graeme Frame, Matthew Gidley, Paul Stringer, Keith Galloway, and Pascal Jampy. Bates 8/8
Port Macquarie: Jim Gannon 3 and Habib El Muktar. Briers 3/4
HT Score: Tamworth City 18-0
Penalties: Tamworth City 10-7
Completion Rates: Tamworth City 67% Port Macquarie 59%
Possession: Tamworth City 54%
PoM Points: Graeme Frame 3, Eron Bates 2, and Robbie Paul 1.

Canberra remain one of the form teams in Division Two, the Chargers doing it easy in today's game against Christchurch as they recorded a 30-14 away win.
Christchurch: Dean Lawford and Brett Kimmorley. Davidson 3/3
Canberra: Maleky O'Connor, Shannon Hegarty, Gary Coleman, Jason Cayless, and Wayne Godwin. Flatley 5/7
HT Score: Canberra 8-2
Penalties: Canberra 7-5
Completion Rates: Christchurch 51% Canberra 70%
Possession: Canberra 54%
PoM Points: Elton Flatley 3, Shannon Hegarty 2, and Brent Sherwin 1.

Even the absence of inspirational skipper and playmaker Matthew Burke couldn't slow down the Tasmanian Devils juggernaut in today's clash against South Queensland, the Hobart side showing no mercy as they rampaged over the Underdogs on their way to a 42-4 away victory.
South Queensland: Damien Durnford. Takawira 0/1
Tasmania: Mohammed Zian Ali, Varasiko Tokarei, Imanol Harinordoquy 2, Jeremy Tickle, Tristan Law, and Joe Mbu. Zian Ali 7/7
HT Score: Tasmania 24-0
Penalties: South Queensland 7-6
Completion Rates: South Queensland 56% Tasmania 67%
Possession: Tasmania 59%
PoM Points: Imanol Harinordoquy 3, Tristan Law 2, and Jerrie Muller 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tasmania 18 2 1 628 266 +362 37
2. Tamworth City 17 3 1 533 302 +231 35
3. North Queensland 16 4 1 467 307 +160 33
4. New England 15 5 1 502 311 +191 31
5. Canberra 13 7 1 508 390 +118 27
6. Carnarvon 12 9 0 409 330 +79 24
7. Bondi 12 9 0 398 403 -5 24
8. Port Macquarie 10 9 2 359 418 -59 22

9. Campbelltown 9 12 0 350 442 -92 18
10. Redfern 8 12 1 410 399 +11 17
11. South Queensland 8 12 1 297 438 -141 17
12. Eastwood 8 13 0 403 470 -77 16
13. Liverpool 8 13 0 336 511 -175 16
14. Newcastle 7 13 1 349 400 -51 15
15. Christchurch 7 13 1 337 410 -73 15
16. Lake Heights 6 13 2 373 452 -79 14
17. Geelong 5 15 1 300 451 -151 11
18. Waikato 3 18 0 326 575 -249 6

nice one Redfern! I let the boys loose and they lapped it up :D

Another bashing of Darwin by the Oilers. We have done more damage to Darwin than Cyclone Tracy.

Magro, you are walking along the edge, yet have a big mouth about making the finals. I will push you off that edge in the risk.

3 in a row. May this never end. :bang:

Nice
Brisbane have hit the eight in good time for the finals. Now we just have to stay there.