With a month remaining in the 2019 regular season, more than half the competition genuinely believes that they can win the premiership at Bankwest Stadium on the last weekend in August. 

The top four sides look to have secured their spot in the playoffs, with just two competition points currently separating Warringah, Eastwood, Norths and Sydney Uni. 

Those four sides still have plenty to play for in the coming weeks, with home ground advantage and a potential double chance available to side’s finishing in the top two. 

But below them, things get really exciting. 

Gordon, Easts, Manly and now Southern Districts will all like their chances of nabbing fifth or sixth spot and extending their season into August. 

Souths’ season looked all but over after they lost a tight match at home against Gordon, but bounced back on the weekend to beat Randwick with the help of Jed Holloway and recently re-signed Melbourne Rebel Matt Gibbon, who is fresh off a stint in Wallabies training camp. 

This weekend, Souths host Manly and if the Rebels can beat the Marlins at Forshaw, things will get really interesting. 

On Saturday, Easts host Sydney Uni and Gordon travel to play Eastwood in two tough encounters against top four sides. 

If results go the Rebels’ way, just two competition points could separate Gordon in fifth and Souths in eighth heading into the final three rounds. 

Considering Gordon and Easts play one another in round 17, the race for the final two playoff spots in wide open. 

Here’s how each side’s road to the finals looks: 

Gordon: 5th – 38pts (Eastwood, Norths, Easts, Western Sydney)

Gordon have come a long way in 2019 and if they do play finals footy this year, they will have well and truly earned their spot. 

Road trips to TG Millner and North Sydney Oval won’t be easy, while the Stags round 17 clash against sixth placed Easts will be crucial. 

Eastern Suburbs: 6th – 37pts (Sydney Uni, Randwick, Gordon, Eastwood)

Easts also face a tough final month of rugby but fortunately for the Beasties, they’ll play three of their final four matches at home.  

Clashes against Uni and Eastwood will test Easts’ premiership credentials, while a derby against Randwick and an away clash against Gordon also loom as danger games. 

Manly: 7th – 37 pts (Souths, Warringah, West Harbour, Bye)

The Marlins looked destined to return to the playoffs in 2019 before back to back losses against Easts and Eastwood. Now, they’ll need to fight and this weekend’s trip south to play the Rebels is vital. 

If Manly win, they’ll give their finals hopes a huge boost ahead of a clash against West Harbour and a bye in the final two rounds. 

If they lose, they’ll place a heap of pressure on themselves heading into the derby against Warringah and will need to turn up again a week later against a West Harbour side who love an upset at this time of the season. 

Southern Districts: 8th – 31pts (Manly, Sydney Uni, Eastwood, Warringah)

After losing seven straight matches, Southern Districts probably don’t deserve to play finals this season, but rugby is a funny game some times. 

The Rebels are a momentum side and after beating Randwick on Saturday, they’ll like their chances at home against Manly on Saturday. 

If they win, their season is well and truly alive. If they lose, it’s all over. 

With a few big names back wearing the candy stripes, Souths will need to be brilliant in the final month of the regular season. But if they can string wins together and get to the finals, they’ll do so with plenty of momentum behind them.