The whirlwind of flying fists and a resurgent champion have conspired to turn what was a clearing NRL finals picture into a muddy mess heading into the last round of the regular season.

While the NRL judiciary is set to have a large say in the premiership credentials of frontrunners Melbourne and Manly following Friday night's wild brawl at Brookvale Oval, they, along with third-placed Brisbane, seem assured of their finishing order barring improbable mathematical possibilities.

From there it's anyone's guess, St George Illawarra's drought-breaking win over the Warriors leaving the defending premiers as one of four sides still in with a shot of fourth spot and home ground advantage in the first week of the finals.

No matter the result of Monday night's Wests Tigers-Gold Coast clash at Campbelltown, the Dragons, Tigers, Warriors and North Queensland can all still finish anywhere from fourth through seventh - with Saturday night's Warriors-Cowboys clash a vital affair.

It won't be bigger than the battle at Newcastle 24 hours earlier, with the Knights and South Sydney to stage a virtual shootout for the last of the finals spots - Canterbury still with an outside chance but in need of a massive win over Canberra or a draw between the Knights and Rabbitohs.

While Sunday's loss to Brisbane didn't really hinder their top eight hopes - given they still would have had to beat the Knights next week - Souths may have to get there without Greg Inglis who injured his ankle in the 22-10 defeat.

"We'll deserve it if we play the football to get it, it's that simple," coach John Lang said.

"It doesn't get handed to you on a platter.

"I've been proud of the way the boys have hung in all season and the last game of the season we're a chance of making it."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary played down the importance of a top four finish and his side's chances being dealt a blow by the 26-22 loss in Wollongong.

"We're still in their swinging so we'll learn a bit from today and go home and play the Cowboys in another big game against a good team,' he said.

"We'll certainly be match-hardened come the start of the finals which is a good thing to have."

Despite the fact the NRL judiciary is threatening to pull the carpet from under the Sea Eagles and Storm on the eve of the finals - with charges to be handed out on Monday - Dragons coach Wayne Bennett was refusing to talk up his side's chances too much.

"We've had one win in six weeks so we can't really afford to talk about what might be for us, we've just got to come here next Friday night and try and put a similar type performance in and defend a little bit better and we can talk about the top eight then."

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