NRL

South Sydney's hopes of back-to-back premierships copped a hammering on Thursday night in an Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt-engineered 47-12 thrashing by Brisbane at Allianz Stadium.

Melbourne Storm have blown a golden chance to move into the NRL top four with a shock loss to cellar dwellers Newcastle.

The Sydney Roosters have claimed top spot on the NRL ladder with a gutsy 12-10 win over Brisbane but they have paid a massive toll with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves's season over.

South Sydney's dream of back-to-back NRL premierships is in major doubt with skipper Greg Inglis suffering a knee injury in Friday night's 32-18 loss to Canterbury.

Melbourne have given Cronulla's NRL title aspirations a reality check with a 30-2 win at Remondis Stadium.

Canterbury's 34-16 NRL win over the Gold Coast on Sunday has come at a cost with hooker Michael Lichaa suffering a potentially season-ending ankle injury.

Canberra's hopes of an NRL finals berth are hanging by a thread, after the Raiders went down 20-18 to Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium on Monday night.

Parramatta have kept their mathematical finals aspirations breathing with a dour 10-4 victory over Penrith in Darwin.