NRL playoff chase: Best and worst case scenarios for the Warriors

The Warriors are 15 results away from finishing first. Photo /Getty

There is only two rounds of the NRL regular season remaining as the Warriors look to secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

Stephen Kearney's side currently sit in eighth, needing one more win to make the playoffs. But did you know they can still claim the minor premiership, and also finish in ninth?

The Herald explains...

Worst case for the Warriors - Ninth place

- Lose to the Panthers, lose to the Raiders.
- Tigers beat the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs.

The Warriors currently sit four points clear of the West Tigers and a finals spot could be secured on Thursday night if the Sea Eagles manage to beat the Tigers. On the other hand, a big win by the Tigers will put some pressure on the Auckland side. The Warriors have a points difference of 1, while the Tigers need to overcome a points difference of -44. But all it would take is two half decent wins for the Tigers, along with two big defeats for the Warriors and the spot is theirs.

Best case for the Warriors - First place

- Beat Panthers and Raiders
- Storm, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Sharks all lose remaining games.
- Panthers beat Storm, Broncos beat Roosters but lose to Sea Eagles.

First off, this is not happening but it is possible. They only need to win their remaining two games and then 12 other results to go their way. This would see the Storm, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Panthers and Warriors all finish on 32 points and could come down to points difference.

Here's the points difference chart:
Storm +177
Roosters +161
Rabbitohs +116
Warriors +1

So the Warriors would need to put 100 points combined on their final two opponents and need three other teams to face massive defeats. A best case indeed.

Most likely scenario for the Warriors - Eighth spot

The Herald predicts this to happen:

Storm – 36 points
Beat the Titans
Beat the Panthers

Roosters – 36 points
Beat the Broncos
Beat the Eels

Rabbitohs – 34
Beat the Raiders
Beat the Tigers

Dragons – 34 points
Beat the Bulldogs
Beat the Knights

Sharks – 34 points
Beat the Knights
Beat Bulldogs

Panthers – 32 points
Beat the Warriors
Lose to Storm

Broncos – 30 points
Lost to Roosters
Beat the Sea Eagles

Warriors - 30 points
Lose to Panthers
Beat the Raiders