sport, nrl

Brisbane have become just the eighth team to qualify for rugby league's finals with a losing record after finishing the NRL season on 25 points. The Broncos finished the regular season in eighth spot after Cronulla's crucial victory on Sunday over the Wests Tigers, with a record of 11 wins, 12 losses and one draw. In comparison, the Warriors finished eighth last year with a 15-9 record. The Broncos are only the second side this decade to reach the finals with a losing record after Gold Coast did it in 2016. Parramatta in 1975, Gold Coast in 1997, St George Illawarra and Canberra in 2002, the Raiders in 2004 and Brisbane in 2007 are the other teams to have done so since the finals were introduced in 1926. Of those sides, only the Eels of 1975 and Gold Coast in 1997 have advanced past the first week. Brisbane's effort to make the finals is notable, however, considering their 14th placing after the halfway point of the competition. But coach Anthony Seibold warned they would just be cannon fodder for Parramatta next weekend at Bankwest Stadium if they repeated the performance they put in against Canterbury. "If I look at the second part of the year, we have made some really big strides," he said. "But I am annoyed because now we hope tomorrow (Sharks-Tigers, Sunday) doesn't go into a golden-point draw. And that's not a good strategy. "And if we are fortunate enough to get into the top eight, we will be playing Parramatta away. "And if we turn up like that, they will beat us and beat us convincingly." Earlier this year, the NRL suggested the idea of introducing a wildcard weekend for teams placed seventh to 10th. At the time, there was backlash against the proposal as critics claimed it would reward mediocrity. Bulldogs coach Dean Pay on Saturday night joked he would like to advance via the system, given his team had won five of their past six to finish the season. MAKING THE FINALS AFTER A LOSING SEASON: * Gold Coast, 2016: 11 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw - 27 pts * Brisbane, 2007: 11-13 - 25pts * Canberra, 2004: 11-13 - 26pts * Canberra, 2002: 10-13-1 - 25pts* * St George Illawarra, 2002: 9-12-3 - 25pts * Gold Coast, 1997 (ARL): 10-11-1 - 21pts * Parramatta, 1975: 10-11-1 - 21pts* * Parramatta in 1975 and Canberra in 2002 both qualified after rivals were stripped of points. Australian Associated Press

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/766c38a2-3f98-4a36-8899-12457a176f0d.jpg/r0_74_800_526_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg