I've heard the phrase 'mathematically possible', this must be what it means (!)
2 spots up for grabs
Panthers [26]...play Tigers (H), Titans (A), Manly (H) - even if they lose all 3, won't be an 84 turnaround in F/A so we can't catch them
Titans [25]...play Knights (A), Panthers (H), Cowboys (A) - even if they only get one win we can't catch them, they next play Knights, so...
Therefore, unless Knights spring the big upset, we're kaput
However if Knights can do it...
Warriors [24]...play Cowboys (A),Tigers (H), Eels (H) - we need them to lose 2 of these, plus we'd need to make up 19 in F/A
Tigers [24]...play Panthers (A), Warriors (A), Raiders (A) - we need them to lose 2 of these, and we need to maintain our 3 point F/A advantage over them
St George [22]...play Roosters (A), Eels (A), Knights (H) - terrible F/A, they will lose at least one so they aren't a threat
Manly [20]...play Storm (H), Raiders (H), Penrith (A), must win all 3.
Simple!
2 spots up for grabs
Panthers [26]...play Tigers (H), Titans (A), Manly (H) - even if they lose all 3, won't be an 84 turnaround in F/A so we can't catch them
Titans [25]...play Knights (A), Panthers (H), Cowboys (A) - even if they only get one win we can't catch them, they next play Knights, so...
Therefore, unless Knights spring the big upset, we're kaput
However if Knights can do it...
Warriors [24]...play Cowboys (A),Tigers (H), Eels (H) - we need them to lose 2 of these, plus we'd need to make up 19 in F/A
Tigers [24]...play Panthers (A), Warriors (A), Raiders (A) - we need them to lose 2 of these, and we need to maintain our 3 point F/A advantage over them
St George [22]...play Roosters (A), Eels (A), Knights (H) - terrible F/A, they will lose at least one so they aren't a threat
Manly [20]...play Storm (H), Raiders (H), Penrith (A), must win all 3.
Simple!