NORTH QUEENSLAND’s come-from-behind win over Wests Tigers means the NRL’s top eight is now the final eight.
No-one can dislodge Penrith, New Zealand Warriors, the Dolphins, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla, South Sydney, Newcastle and North Queensland with two games to play in the penultimate round of the regular season.
Manly and Canterbury went into Saturday with their finals hopes hanging by a thread and those hopes were killed off by the Cowboys.
Points differences suggest only the Warriors can deny the Panthers the minor premiership.
Wests Tigers led 10-8 at halftime at Queensland Country Bank Stadium before the Cowboys scored three second half tries.
“It was clunky to start with, that first 40 minutes,” said Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.
“There was a 15-minute period there midway through the second half that got us over the line.
“Sometimes throughout the course of the season you have to win ugly and tonight was our night.”
The match marked the return of captain Tom Dearden for the Cowboys. “He’s a very important part of what we do,” said Payten.
Asked how he felt about qualify for the finals, Payten answered: “Asked me again tomorrow.
“That’s not good enough for September footy.”
