If Manly are to make this seasons finals, they will have to overcome what is easily the worst start by any team in NRL history.

The Sea Eagles, who could climb into the top eight for the first time this season if they beat South Sydney at Brookvale Oval on Friday night, were in last place until round 17 just five weeks ago.

Statistics provided by Champion Data show no team has ever come from so far back at such a late stage to make the finals, with the biggest improvers being the 2013 Canterbury team, who were last after round six and finished sixth.

The next best effort by a team coming from the bottom of the table to qualify for the finals was Manly's 2009 team, who came from last position in round four to finish fifth.

What would make the achievement even more remarkable is that the Sea Eagles have been able to turn around their fortunes despite the sacking of coach Geoff Toovey after months of speculation about his future in the job.