Nine teams remain in contention for the National Rugby League finals and three for the minor premiership heading into what promises to be a gripping final round of the competition.

Every match next weekend will have a bearing on the finals despite St George Illawarra becoming the latest side eliminated from the equation.

The Dragons were beaten 42-8 by Newcastle at Oki Jubilee Stadium - but still have a role to play in the make-up of the top eight.

And Parramatta is hoping it's a winning one.

A St George Illawarra victory over Brisbane on Friday night would ensure the ninth-placed Eels have something to play for heading into their mouth-watering clash with Penrith at Penrith Stadium on Sunday.

Parramatta closed to within two points of eighth-placed Brisbane on the premiership ladder with a 16-14 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

It was Brisbane's sixth loss in succession.

Penrith, meanwhile, moved into outright first after its 52-26 win over Manly and the Sydney Roosters loss to the New Zealand Warriors.

The Roosters were beaten 26-24 at Aussie Stadium and dropped to second spot - on points difference - over Canberra.

Those two sides meet next week with the loser likely to drop to fourth.

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