| This Week |
Last Week |
Change |
Team |
| #1 |
2 |
+1 |
Cronulla Sharks
Welcome to the top of the rankings! The Sharks arrive in style and have Hynes leading the way. His performances each week are to be admired. As much as they would want him to play Origin, it is better for their club for him to be available for them. Credit to the rest of the squad for supporting him also.
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| #2 |
3 |
+1 |
South Sydney Rabbitohs
They are on fire now and proved how capable they were against the Broncos. Sure, their opponents were missing players, but so too were the Rabbitohs. They again absorbed the pressure applied by their opponents and took their opportunities when it counted.
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| #3 |
1 |
-2 |
Brisbane Broncos
No Haas and Mam in their team doesn’t account for the 26-point loss to the Rabbitohs. Perhaps, it was a timely performance that will shock this young squad back into focus ahead of a blockbuster game against the Sea Eagles. They will want to erase some of their negative habits from that match.
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| #4 |
5 |
+1 |
Sydney Roosters
A grinding performance against the Warriors which highlighted their poise and class. It wasn’t a performance that will turn heads, but that victory will serve them well towards the end of the season. Their combinations are still building too, so they should only continue to improve.
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| #5 |
4 |
-1 |
Penrith Panthers
Injuries are testing their depth and impacting their performance. A loss to the Tigers highlights just how vulnerable they are compared to previous years. Again, when the game was on the line, it seemed like Cleary was the only player capable of turning the match. They need others to stand up when it matters and not rely solely on his (mainly kicking) game.
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| #6 |
8 |
+2 |
Melbourne Storm
The Bye came at a great time for the Storm. They will be ready to go for Magic Round and need their strongest possible squad on the field. The ‘Storm way’ is still lingering and cannot be forgotten about too soon. Up next, the red hot Rabbitohs.
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| #7 |
9 |
+2 |
Parramatta Eels
Made a statement that they are a better team than their loss to the Broncos suggests. As good as they were, the Knights were also poor. It has been a tough draw to start the season so winning in this manner counts a lot for them.
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| #8 |
6 |
-2 |
The Dolphins
Gallant in defeat, albeit, in Golden Point. They cannot continue to allow their opponents to score so many points in their matches. If their defence improves, so too will their results.
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| #9 |
7 |
-2 |
New Zealand Warriors
Injuries are hampering the Warriors. They are still trying their best but were outclassed by the Roosters. It gets harder next week, up against the Panthers, who are coming off back-to-back losses.
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| #10 |
12 |
+2 |
Canberra Raiders
Another turbulent performance which, thankfully, resulted in a 1-point victory in Golden Point. The emotion and performance following the news of Wighton’s impending departure appears to have had a positive impact (so far). The Bulldogs come at an ideal time for them.
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| #11 |
11 |
- |
Newcastle Knights
Several weeks of difficult (draining) matches may have taken a toll on the Knights. They are better than their 43-12 loss to the Eels suggests. They have the Bye next week and that performance suggests it is coming at an ideal time.
|
| #12 |
10 |
-2 |
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
No Turbo, no Sea Eagles. They again struggled to cover the loss of their star fullback and it could (again) be their new normal. Best to find out a solution because it doesn’t get any easier next week against the Broncos.
|
| #13 |
15 |
+2 |
Gold Coast Titans
It was a welcomed bounce-back victory for the Titans on the road. One performance doesn’t mean their season is now a success and the challenge ahead (vs Eels at Magic Round) will be another difficult task. Good to see an improved output from their higher paid players too.
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| #14 |
16 |
+2 |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
An upset win over the Dragons while understrength again says a lot about this club and the direction they are heading. Some special individual efforts from lesser-known players also ensures that their rebuild is on the right path.
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| #15 |
16 |
+2 |
Wests Tigers
A brave 12-8 victory over the Panthers was their first for the season. It was on the horizon but the way they executed this win was impressive. Now, they need to build on this momentum and confidence.
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| #16 |
13 |
-3 |
St George-Illawarra Dragons
After a strong performance against the Roosters where they were defeated by 1-point, they were expected to account for the Bulldogs. Another dour performance meant they took steps backwards and pressure (and uncertainty) only grows on all in the club.
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| #17 |
14 |
-3 |
North Queensland Cowboys
It is time to panic for the Cowboys following an insipid 44-6 loss to the Sharks. Comprehensively outplayed, their defensive structure has eluded them. Worse still, they appear void of ideas in attack.
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