The Sydney Roosters have thrown Brisbane's NRL premiership credentials further into question with a 34-16 win at the SCG and now appear in a race with Canberra to secure the last spot in the top eight.
Thursday night's victory means Manly (10th) and St. George Illawarra (11th) will both trail the Roosters by a game and points differential even if they win their own round 21 matches, which are against sides higher than them on the ladder.
The Broncos failed to bounce back from last week's shock loss to the Wests Tigers and could slump as low as seventh by the end of the weekend.
The Roosters scored six tries to Brisbane's three and inflicted the bulk of the damage in the opening exchanges, ridding themselves of the errors that marred last week's win to keep pace with the clock for the first 18 minutes.
The chemistry of halves Luke Keary and Sam Walker is looking stronger than ever, thanks in no small part to Keary's switch back to five-eighth.
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Keary made the kick that put the Roosters in position to score their first try, before Walker chipped from halfback to give Nat Butcher their second.
Even without concussed State of Origin representative Lindsay Collins, the Roosters' forward pack rolled forward more easily than their Brisbane counterparts, who missed the suspended Patrick Carrigan.
A typically workman-like performance from James Tedesco (252 run metres) helped the Roosters win the battle for territory for most of the night.
Three tries down, the Broncos scored through Corey Oates in their first foray into enemy territory and were welcomed back when errors began creeping into the Roosters' game.
Both sides blew chances in the second half, as greasy conditions began taking their toll.
But when Keary cut through the defence with a crafty individual effort, the Roosters' win was confirmed with just over 10 minutes to play.
The Broncos have now conceded more than 30 points on six occasions this year, including twice in the past fortnight, and will need to tighten their defence to make any kind of impact in the finals.
A top-four finish is not yet out of reach, though; Brisbane will rate all four of their remaining matches against Newcastle, Melbourne, Parramatta and St George Illawarra as winnable.
Roosters hooker Sam Verrills left the field for a head injury assessment late in the second half and did not return.
Brisbane winger Selwyn Cobbo returned from the concussion he suffered in the State of Origin decider but had limited opportunities as the Broncos favoured the opposite wing in attack.
