Queensland a state of NRL despair

Brisbane Broncos Sam Thaiday and North Queensland Cowboys Johnathan Thurston. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

THE strongest state in rugby league could face an NRL finals wipe-out with Queensland clubs Brisbane, Gold Coast and North Queensland feeling the strain of campaigns that are under the pump.

As Queensland's Origin team prepares to claim an eighth straight series win, the state's three NRL clubs are in disarray with heavy defeats, injuries and coaches fighting to save their jobs.

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If no Queensland team qualifies for the finals it would be the first time in NRL history that the sunshine state has been without a side in the top eight.

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When TattsBet open their markets today they will have the Titans at $2.10 to make the top eight, North Queensland at $2.75 and the Broncos drifting way out to $5 on reaching the finals.

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Gold Coast's fairy tale run for the top four hit a grinding halt with two emphatic losses and season-ending injury to Jamal Idris pushing the Titans to the brink of dropping outside the top eight.The Titans have conceded 86 points in a fortnight and return from a much needed bye to play high flyers Manly and South Sydney.

It is just the start of a landmine lined run home as the Gold Coast play just three of their last eight games at Skilled Park and also confront the top three teams with Sydney Roosters and Melbourne to close out their regular season.

The stockpile of wins to start the year is no consolation as skipper Nate Myles implores his men to turn their recent form around.

"We don't want to be just hanging on or scraping in the top out when it comes finals time," Myles said.

"We want to be improving and the last two weeks we just have not felt or looked like the side that we were.

"It's just going to take a little bit of work for us.

"Brisbane and North Queensland sit two wins outside the top eight, but need to win at least six of their last eight games to climb into the playoffs.

Based on their round 17 form a major turnaround is required as they now face form football teams minus their Origin stars.

The Broncos host Cronulla on Friday night, the Sharks powering into the top four this week and proving back in round 11 when they upset South Sydney that they can fire without their rep heroes.

North Queensland host Manly on Monday night where at least both teams are without their dominant playmaker with Johnathan Thurston to be joined in Maroons camp by Daly Cherry-Evans.

The Broncos and Cowboys have their bye after Origin III and their respective draws from that point look provide at least some glimmer of hope.

Brisbane has lost five of their past six games with last Friday's 32-0 drubbing from Melbourne was the second scoreless defeat of their season.

They still have five home games to come, but also face form teams like Cronulla, Newcastle (twice), Penrith and Canterbury in the run to the finals.

Club legend Gorden Tallis believes Brisbane can still save their season, if they're good enough.

"They don't play a Melbourne Storm or any side like that," Tallis said.

"They do have sides where you think they can win.

"It's a good draw isn't it ... they're all winnable.

"They've got eight weeks to really rip in.

"The Cowboys have perhaps the best finish to the season of all Queensland clubs, with six home games in Townsville, but like the Broncos need to win six of eight to figure in the finals.

With the Titans two games clear of Brisbane and North Queensland they are rightly flying the flag for the state at this stage and coach John Cartwright has vowed they will fight til the bitter end.

"It's been a pretty ordinary two weeks, we will be through the Origin by the time we play Manly and we will attack those last eight games like our lives depend on it," Cartwright said.

An entire state of league fans may be dependent upon it too. 

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