Clint Gutherson was excellent as the Eels marched towards a top-four finish with a 26-12 win over cellar-dwellers Brisbane.

It's virtually an elimination final - more than one week early. The stakes are very high for St Kilda who know they'll secure a finals spot with victory over GWS.

Penrith shoot for a 14th win in a row before Brisbane aim to spring an upset and hand last spot back to the Bulldogs. Live coverage from 5.40pm.

The men from the foot of the mountains are officially minor premiers after breezing past the Cowboys on Friday night.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for the Swifts, who are battling to hold onto their finals spot.

The Western Bulldogs, desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top eight, face the third-placed Brisbane Lions in a huge game at the Gabba.

It is too early to say if a changing of the guard has taken place but it isn't too early to brand the Power the genuine article.

Chairman Paul Lederer wants to get to the bottom of the "inconsistency" that made Western Sydney the only club alongside Central Coast Mariners to miss the past three finals series.

Blake Green made an immediate impact for Newcastle, leading his new team to a 44-4 thumping of Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Melbourne Victory's interim coach Grant Brebner broke his duck when his young side put in a convincing performance to beat Perth Glory 4-0.

The Kangaroos have made three changes for Sunday's clash against Melbourne and hope to have Ben Brown back soon from a knee injury.

Nick Ghabar normally keeps a low profile. But the lawyer who the star players turn to felt the need to speak up about a looming crusher crackdown.

All you need to know about Sunday's eight-race program in the Central West.

Carlton will have to face a formidable West Coast side without dangerous key forward Harry McKay.

Nash Rawiller will have to see a sports psychologist after he was hit with an eighth careless riding suspension in just over a year during his Missile Stakes victory.

A double-header against India in Sydney could be on the cards if Cricket Australia is forced to shift the traditional Boxing Day Test from the MCG.

It's a fight for a top eight spot as the Bombers and Giants clash at Metricon Stadium.

Reds star Jordan Petaia's world has been turned upside down after his father, Tielu, suffered a heart attack on Wednesday evening.

Former GWS skipper Callan Ward appeared to feign head-high contact to win a free kick that sealed a stirring four-point win against Essendon on Friday night.

The most talked about man heading into tonight's late game at ANZ Stadium won't be anywhere near the venue but before that the Sea Eagles take on the Warriors.

Wayne Bennett's fine dining dramas proved no problem for Souths and assistant coach Jason Demetriou as they triumphed 28-10 over Brisbane.

Two contenders for goals of the season by Alessandro Diamanti sealed a 5-3 win for Western United against Wanderers.

Alessandro Diamanti produced a sparkling performance as Western United almost blew a three-goal lead.

Highly-rated Yokohama F Marinos assistant Arthur Papas is the favourite to land the head coach's role ahead of John Aloisi and Grant Brebner.

Four first-half tries – the most points the Rebels had ever scored in an opening 40 minutes outside of Melbourne – left Australia’s premier side speechless and bereft of answers.