| This Week |
Last Week |
Change |
Team |
| #1 |
1 |
- |
Penrith Panthers
Recorded a win over the Dolphins and will only get better as their stars return. They are in a strong position to capture the Minor Premiership and will not want to let this opportunity slip. They now head home to face the Bulldogs.
|
| #2 |
2 |
- |
Brisbane Broncos
Did enough to defeat the Bulldogs but will have to be better against higher quality opponents. They are presented an opportunity this week on the road against the Rabbitohs. They too will welcome back representative players to their squad.
|
| #3 |
4 |
+1 |
New Zealand Warriors
What a great performance?! Sure, they defeated a sub-par opponent, but their level of execution was impressive. They relentlessly attacked the opposition, breaking them down over 80 minutes and had their home crowd buzzing. If they are to be taken seriously, they need to account for the Raiders at home.
|
| #4 |
5 |
+1 |
South Sydney Rabbitohs
A well-timed Bye for this squad to rest ahead of a tough match against the Broncos next week. If their key players can maintain their Origin form, they are going to be a difficult team to stop.
|
| #5 |
3 |
-2 |
Parramatta Eels
Achieved a 1-point victory over the Titans in tough circumstances. Sit in 7th on the competition ladder and need to keep winning to solidify their spot. A difficult challenge awaits in a road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys.
|
| #6 |
6 |
- |
North Queensland Cowboys
Overcame the Sea Eagles on the road in a grinding affair. Looked very good at times but, in equal measure, allowed their opponents opportunities. They are a talented team and need their Origin stars firing.
|
| #7 |
9 |
+2 |
Melbourne Storm
This was the performance from a Storm team which fans have been accustomed to. Outlasted the Roosters and then powered away in the final quarter of the match. Another road game against the Knights will test their resolve further.
|
| #8 |
8 |
- |
Canberra Raiders
A week off with the Bye after a 10-point win over the Dragons. Inconsistency still plagues this team, but they also sit in 4th on the competition ladder. They travel to New Zealand to face the Warriors in a tough road trip.
|
| #9 |
10 |
+1 |
The Dolphins
They’ve clearly overcame their mid-season form slump, pushing the Panthers to eventually lose by 10-points. Absent players would’ve improved their chances, but they need to take confidence from such an effort. A Bye week awaits before a push towards the Finals.
|
| #10 |
7 |
-3 |
Cronulla Sharks
Still yet to defeat a Top 8 team, the Sharks were outplayed by the Warriors on the road. They were not without their chances, their execution simply let them down. Coach Fitzgibbon has his work cut out trying to turn the fortunes of this team around.
|
| #11 |
11 |
- |
Gold Coast Titans
Had several opportunities to win the match against the Eels but failed to make the most of it. Now 4-points out of the Top 8 and need a victory to keep their Finals hopes alive. They host the Roosters next week in a season-defining match.
|
| #12 |
12 |
- |
Newcastle Knights
Defeated the Tigers as expected but gave their opponents opportunities to assert themselves in the game. Greater maturity and poise are needed if they are to remain successful. Their season could be on the line this week against the Storm at home.
|
| #13 |
13 |
- |
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Competitive against the Cowboys, with their key players (mainly DCE) lifting those around them. Still a good chance of making the Top 8 (3-points away from 8th). What happens this week against the Sharks is anyone’s guess.
|
| #14 |
14 |
- |
Sydney Roosters
What is wrong at the Roosters? They are a team which is void of answers and, despite being competitive against the Storm for some part of the match, failed to play for 80-minutes. They travel north to face the Titans with their season on the line.
|
| #15 |
15 |
- |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Were competitive against a superior team in the Broncos. Effort was present in their performance at that needs to be maintained through their rebuild. Another tough test awaits in the Panthers on the road. They must improve their defence is their results are to change.
|
| #16 |
16 |
- |
St George-Illawarra Dragons
Had a week off with the Bye following a 10-point loss to the Raiders. A battle for the wooden spoon awaits in Round 21, as they host the Tigers. Expect plenty more stories to be written between now and then about this club, Ben Hunt and players being told ‘they aren’t wanted/needed’ by incoming coach Shane Flanagan.
|
| #17 |
17 |
- |
Wests Tigers
Drama appears to follow the Tigers (certainly unfair reporting also) but they were unable to be competitive against the Knights for 80 minutes, eventually defeated by 16-points. The best opportunity to grab another victory this season comes next week against the Dragons.
|
