NRL: Giants awake to shake up finals race

Brisbane's win over Penrith yesterday lifted them back into the top eight. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Two sleeping giants awoken, two mercurial teams running hot and the title favourites bashed up by also-rans - the 2009 National Rugby League season is building to one almighty climax.

Brisbane and reigning premiers Manly put the NRL on notice they're not to be overlooked in the race for the premiership with thumping wins, while the Wests Tigers and Parramatta continued their stunning form with equally impressive victories.

Ladder leaders St George Illawarra came crashing back to earth, their seven match winning streak cut down by a physical Canberra side who won 24-12 in the nation's capital on Saturday night.

But the biggest shock was Brisbane's second half blitz of Penrith, turning a 24-18 halftime deficit into a 58-24 flogging with 40 unanswered points at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

It was Brisbane's second win in a row and lifted them to seventh on the NRL table on 26 points.

The loss dropped Penrith from fifth to ninth, while three points still separate teams five through to 12.

"We had an opportunity to make a bit of noise and we did," said Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer.

"The next fortnight (Dragons and Cowboys away) will be pretty crucial for us.

"It's going to be pretty daunting going down there (Wollongong). They'll be pumped and we will find out where we are next week."

Manly and the Tigers are also on 26 points and both boosted their points differentials with big weekend wins.

The Sea Eagles smashed the Sydney Roosters 44-12 on Saturday, while the red-hot Tigers stretched their streak to six wins with a 56-10 demolition of wooden spoon contenders Cronulla on Sunday.

Parramatta made it five wins on the trot on Saturday with the game's hottest player Jarryd Hayne setting up four tries in the 40-4 rout over the Warriors that lifted his side into the top eight for the first time this year.

Bring on Friday night when the Tigers and Eels, the two most exciting teams in the NRL, clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"Unbelievable. He is the freak of the comp at the moment," said Tigers star Benji Marshall on Hayne.

The same could almost be said about the Tigers, Marshall's two try heroics in the flogging of Cronulla earning huge praise from beaten Sharks coach Ricky Stuart.

"What Benji Marshall and young (Tim) Moltzen did today in some phases of their attack was excellent," said Stuart.

"The attack was some of the best I've seen for a long time."

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs secured their top four finish with a 22-12 win over North Queensland in Townsville on Friday, while the Gold Coast secured a maiden finals appearance and put a serious dent in South Sydney's hopes with a 22-14 win.

Newcastle can knock Parramatta out of the top eight tonight against Melbourne at EnergyAustralia Stadium when new coach Rick Stone makes his debut following the sacking of Brian Smith over the weekend.

- AAP