NRL play-offs round up

Melbourne and Canterbury moved to within one game of the NRL Grand Final with wins at the weekend.

Storm, who have featured in the last two finals, thrashed last year’s winners Manly 40-12 at Etihad Stadium, while the Bulldogs won 26-12 over Newcastle.

Canterbury were the beneficaries of Gold Coast Titans 40-32 defeat at home to Brisbane, while minor premiers St George were shocked 25-12 at home to 8th placed Parramatta.

The Eels now go on to face the Titans in the semi finals, while Brisbane play St George, who will be licking their wounds after suffering the loss just a week after they thumped Daniel Anderson’s men 37-0 to end the regular season.

The winners go on to play Melbourne and Canterbury for a place in the 2009 NRL Grand Final, which will be televised in the UK by ESPN.

Qualifying Finals
Melbourne 40-12 Manly
Gold Coast 32-40 Brisbane
Canterbury 26-12 Newcastle
St George 12-25 Parramatta

Semi Finals
Parramatta v Gold Coast
Brisbane v St George