The NRL top four proved to be just that as the opening week of the finals went to script for the first time in history, but the battle for premiership favouritism proved far less clearcut.

Not since the McIntyre system was introduced in 1999 have the four highest-ranked teams all won their qualifying finals - Melbourne and Manly moving straight through to preliminary finals, as North Queensland and Newcastle bowed out.

Wests Tigers' reward for beating premiers St George Illawarra will be a Friday night semi-final against a Warriors side thrashed by Brisbane while, in a promoter's dream, Darren Lockyer will make his last appearance at Suncorp Stadium up against former coach Wayne Bennett when the Broncos host the Dragons.

While the top four all prevailed, there were mixed messages in their deliveries.

The Storm looked their methodical best in going out to an 18-0 lead, but a second-half stumble could have proved a lot more threatening had Knights skipper Kurt Gidley been wearing his goalkicking boots.

The Tigers and Sea Eagles both trailed at halftime before stunning second-half revivals, while Brisbane produced the most complete performance in their 40-10 thumping of the Warriors.

But the Broncos take on the Dragons in a match, boosted by the drama of Darren Lockyer's last appearance against the coach who made him in Wayne Bennett.

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said the confidence gained by the win over the Warriors - and in particular the efforts of Gerard Beale and Ben Te'o filling in for unavailable duo Josh Hoffman and Sam Thaiday - would hold the team in good stead for what will be a high-pressure game on Saturday night.

"The pleasing thing exactly was just the performance in general and also the fact that Ben Te'o, Matt Gillett and Gerard Beale were some of our better performers," Griffin told ABC radio.

"I was really happy for them because, if it hadn't gone so well, everyone would be talking about how they hadn't quite done the job of the other guys."

The Warriors survived after a nervous 24 hours, as they prayed for wins by the Storm and Sea Eagles to ensure their survival.

Speaking before his side's fate was confirmed, coach Ivan Cleary was adamant the Warriors would give a better account of themselves.

"It's going to be a long video session if we go through every error," Cleary said.

"We all know we can do better, hopefully we get that chance and I'm sure we'll deliver something better if we do."

Storm skipper Cameron Smith was just relieved to move on to the penultimate week of the finals, as he remembered his side's loss in the corresponding game to the Warriors in 2008.

"We created a good opportunity for ourselves finishing first, and now we get a week off," Smith said.

"A couple of boys played with a lot of bumps today from last week but we've given ourselves a week off now and we get another home final.

"We need to sharpen up on a couple of things we weren't so good at tonight, but overall a very good win."

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