SYDNEY: Manly edged Cronulla 14-12 on Sunday to prevent the Sharks from claiming a top-four finish in the National Rugby League in the final round of the regular season.

The result left Sydney Roosters as minor premiers in first place, Brisbane in second, North Queensland in third and Melbourne fourth.

The teams placed fifth through eighth — Cronulla, Canterbury, defending champion South Sydney and St George Illawarra — will play elimination matches next weekend.

The losers of those matches are finished for the season and the winners play the losing teams of qualifying matches from the top four. The winners of matches involving the top four teams advance straight to the semi-finals.