It's only the two titles he's received real praise for, and the only prize he's eyeing as the race towards the finals enters the last eight weeks.

"It's always been something you're really proud of and want to pick up. But, really, I haven't got too many pats on the back for the four we've got," Robinson said.

"You only get pats on the back for the other two (premierships)."

Robinson's comments come after the defending premiers were upset 15-12 by North Queensland in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.

Canberra's demolition of St George Illawarra later on Sunday - which was marred by the season's first send-off - resulted in the Roosters dropping to fourth spot.

More importantly, the loss leaves Robinson's men eight points behind ladder leaders Melbourne with eight games remaining until the finals.

They are now unlikely to retain their J.J. Giltinan shield for finishing first.

However Robinson insists their priority is another premiership, which would make them the first team in 16 years to defend their title in a unified competition.

"There's really only one goal. There's some really good stuff you want to pick up as many along the way, but I think we know what our goal is," he said.

Robinson insisted he had no regrets over resting stars Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco against the Cowboys despite slumping to their fifth loss in seven games.

Robinson has routinely defended sitting out key men, including the likes of Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary, over the opening half of the season.

"That result's not based on not having those two there," he said.

"We had enough guys out there that should've either finished the job off, or worked hard enough so we weren't in that position."

In other results in round 17, Penrith routed Gold Coast 24-2 to extend their winning run to six and move them into the top eight for the first time this season.

The game ended up being Garth Brennan's final match in charge of the Titans before being sacked on Sunday afternoon.

Canterbury stunned Newcastle 20-14 to hand last spot to Gold Coast.

South Sydney held off Manly 21-20 on Adam Reynolds' clutch field goal, while Brisbane and the Warriors fought out the first draw, 18-all, in three years.

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith celebrated becoming the first player in history to 400 games with a 40-16 thumping of Cronulla.

Parramatta also ruined Benji Marshall's 300-game milestone with a 30-18 victory over the Wests Tigers, with Brad Takairangi bagging a hat trick.

Raiders star Nick Cotric became the first player to be marched this year after upending Tim Lafai in an ugly tackle in their 36-10 rout in Wollongong.

Australian Associated Press