NRL: Storm back on course

Melbourne Storm returned to winning ways and are all set for a minor premiership showdown with the Penrith Panthers.

It was another exciting week of action in the NRL with the top two both winning, while there were more twists and turns in the battle to make finals.

The final make-up of the top eight looks set to go right to the wire after some big results in week 23.

Let’s take a look at the latest state of play with finals fast approaching.

Storm back on track

Melbourne Storm put the shock two-point defeat against the Dragons behind them by beating South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Storm ran out 28-16 winners over the bunnies to remain two points clear at the top of the ladder.

Craig Bellamy’s men are priced at 4.00 to go on and win the grand final, but Penrith remain the hot fancies at 2.60.

The Panthers once again showed they never know when they are beaten as they came from behind to beat Parramatta.

In one of the performances of the weekend, came back from the dead to beat the Eels 36-34 at CommBank Stadium.

Now all eyes will be on Thursday night’s massive clash between the Panthers and Storm.

On home soil, Penrith are 1.50 to get the win, while the Storm can be backed at 2.60.

Dolphins back in the eight

The Dolphins also put in a top performance to edge out the Warriors by two points to move back into eighth spot on the ladder.

They snapped a run of three defeats on the bounce to pick up a crucial two points to boost their finals hopes.

But with the Bulldogs and Storm up next, there is still some hard work to be done.

The Bulldogs are still in the hunt for the top four after knocking over the Dragons at the weekend and will be confident of seeing off the Dolphins on home soil.

Cameron Ciraldo’s side are still dark horses at 12.00 to go on and win the grand final.

Sea Eagles on the march

Manly gave their finals hopes a huge boost while putting a huge dint in those of the Canberra Raiders at the same time.

The Sea Eagles beat the Raiders on their own patch, coming out on top 46-24. The win moved them to sixth, while the green machine are down in 11th spot.

They are two points outside of the eight and now face a huge game against the seventh-placed Cowboys on Saturday.

The Raiders are 2.55 to get the job done in Townsville, while the Cowboys are available at 1.52.

Broncos still fighting

Brisbane Broncos kept the life support machine on with a massive 42-18 win over the Cowboys in the Queensland derby clash.

Defeat would have ended all hopes of finals, but they are still in with an outside chance of making the eight.

The Broncos are two wins away from the Dolphins and have to play Wayne Bennett’s side in week 26.