Gold Coast coach John Cartwright believes the minor premiership race has been blown wide open after the Titans' stunning extra-time boilover against St George Illawarra.
Cartwright admitted his charges were going to have to fight just as hard as they did in the 11-10 win over the competition-leading Dragons to secure a spot in the top eight.
But his comments also served as a warning for St George Illawarra, who will have to hold their nerve to claim a second straight minor premiership following last year's severe case of the wobbles in the lead-up to the finals series.
Full coverage of the Dragons The Dragons are now on 30 competition points and remain four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder following Manly's victory over the Wests Tigers yesterday.
Gold Coast remain in the top eight, but are one of several teams under pressure as Parramatta launch another remarkable surge towards the finals.
Cartwright said Friday night's win showed the Dragons couldn't be too comfortable on top of the ladder.
"It's going to be close," he said.
"It's going to be very, very tight.
"I don't think from minor premiers to side eight (that any team) can be assured at the moment.
"We're on 24 points, we've got six games where there's 12 points available, we would love to think we could finish on 36."
The play-offs will heat up this week for the Dragons in preparation for the trip to Brisbane to play the Broncos on Sunday.
It was at Suncorp Stadium last year that St George Illawarra became the first minor premiers since 1993 to bow out with consecutive finals losses, having been beaten by Parramatta in their qualifying final the previous week.
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