NRL

If there is one small consolation, at least Parramatta skipper Nathan Hindmarsh's final match in the NRL won't be soured by the collection of the wooden spoon.

It's not quite all over for the Wests Tigers, but coach Tim Sheens and captain Benji Marshall conceded Sunday's 44-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters could be the final nail in their season's coffin.

The Raiders have kept their NRL finals hopes alive with a 24-20 win over the Sydney Roosters in a spiteful clash in Canberra.

A Krisnan Inu field goal with less than a minute remaining in extra time handed Canterbury a controversial 23-22 victory over Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk's right boot put Brisbane in the NRL finals danger zone with a match-winning field goal at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

With their NRL finals hopes on the line, Newcastle delivered on their pre-season promises with a clinical 26-4 victory over Cronulla at Hunter Stadium on Monday night.

Brisbane came as close to beating Canterbury as anyone has since the Bulldogs' 11-game winning streak started in May, giving coach Anthony Griffin and skipper Sam Thaiday the confidence their 201