Todd Payten declared there are "better times ahead" for the Cowboys after halfback Tom Dearden starred to snap a 10-match losing streak against the Dragons.
Catch up on the mini-match from the first qualifying final between Melbourne and Brisbane
Catch up on the mini-match from the second elimination final between Sydney and GWS.
Latrell Mitchell's season could be in jeopardy with the star Rabbitohs fullback charged with a grade two reckless tackle for an incident that left former teammate Joey Manu with a suspected fractured cheekbone.
Ricky Stuart thought Canberra were too preoccupied with the result as they fell behind 16-0 to the Warriors before an epic comeback put them in a strong position to finish eighth.
Catch up on the mini-match from the second qualifying final between Port Adelaide and Geelong.
A Mitchell Pearce field goal with 17 seconds to play secured the Knights their place in the finals with a 15-14 win over the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Halfback Aiden Sezer secured Canberra a top-four berth and ruined Cronulla’s farewell celebrations for Paul Gallen with three field goals as the Raiders came from behind to snatch a 15-14 extra-time win at PointsBet Stadium.
A rapid burst of three tries in five minutes has kept the Wests Tigers' finals hopes alive in an otherwise unconvincing 22-20 win over Manly at Campbelltown Stadium on Thursday night.
A Jamayne Isaako field goal in the first minute of golden point has given the Broncos a 17-16 win over the Eels after wrecking ball forward David Fifita went on a surging 30-metre run to put his winger in perfect position.
Anthony Milford has kicked the Warriors finals hopes to the kerb in one of his last Broncos outings, with his oft-maligned boot proving the difference in a 24-22 thriller.
A knockout performance from James Tedesco returned the Roosters to the top four and helped restore their heavyweight reputation while all but ending the Dragons' finals hopes.
