Sydney has delivered Carlton another gutting first-week elimination from the AFL finals.

Manly has kept the door open for South Sydney to steal its NRL finals spot, slumping to a shock 30-24 defeat to Canterbury at Brookvale Oval.

The country independent MPs say they do not feel intimidated into backing a Coalition government and they may even have their final decision by tomorrow.

"Never raise your hand to your children - it leaves your midsection unprotected."