As they began their championship campaigns, Parramatta and Wests Tigers hoped their final regular season clash would have some significance. And it did.

But instead of fighting for a place in the post-season, it became a fight to avoid finishing last. The Spoon Bowl, a match between the two Sydney sides, fired the imagination not only of two long-suffering fans, but also of the wider rugby league community.

Given that the contestants aren’t playing for draft picks or relegation, the difference between 16th and 17th seems insignificant. But the spoon carries a stigma that lingers long after the final buzzer, a historical footnote the contestants desperately want to avoid.

“Nobody remembers the second-to-last,” Eels playmaker Dylan Brown said during the week. “Everybody remembers the last. And we don’t want that.”

In many ways the race at the bottom of the table is more fascinating than the one at the other end of the ladder. Melbourne have the top spot in their possession. After winning the lower league championship, the Storm seem to be in a two-horse race for the upper league. It would be a shock if they didn’t meet Penrith in the decider.

Their most obvious threat, the Roosters, won one of their last 20 games against two heavyweights. And that was before they lost Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and, presumably, Victor Radley to season-ending injuries. The Sharks have traditionally played their best football until spring, and Canterbury’s revival could be at least 12 months away from a fairytale ending.

If history is any guide, teams outside the top eight simply fill out squad numbers.

Another Panthers or Storm championship probably won’t capture the imagination of the average fan. But the Tigers avoiding the wooden spoon – that’s a new story!