As sudden as it may seem, at the completion of this weekend’s matches we will be one third of the way through the home and away stage of season 2015. As such, it is time to give each team their first term statistical report.

Brisbane Broncos
The last time the Broncos found themselves on top of the table (yes I know they are technically third now) was back in round 12 2011. As I suggested it would last year – along with a few other astute predictions – the return of super coach Bennett has worked marvels. With the exception of the flogging at the hands of the Rabbitohs in round one, The Broncs have been workmanlike in grinding out results.

What they are doing well
Statistically the only thing that the Broncos are doing of any real note is winning. Their points differential per match is only +3. Their line breaks conceded is the fourth best in the comp. Further, their tries conceded and missed tackles are third best. So defence has been the cornerstone of their revival.

What they are doing poorly
Their line breaks, tackle breaks and metres gained are all below the season average – but none are diabolical.

Players of note
None really. No one is really killing it and no one is really having a shocker. Ben Hunt is getting some plaudits but he only has three tries to his name and no try assists. While Sam Thaiday has earned praise in recent weeks, he is only averaging 80 metres and one tackle break a game.

Overall: A good start to the year but they must improve in attack.

Canberra Raiders
It’s hard to know what to make of the Raiders’ season so far. On one hand their first 25 minutes against the Wests Tigers and the whole match against the Roosters were diabolical. However, the win against Manly and the comeback against the Wests Tigers were promising.

Their points differential is at -3 a match which is a big improvement on last season. Ricky’s off-season purchases of Frank Paul Nuuausala, Blake Austin, Iosia Soliola, Josh Hodgson and Sisa Waqa are all proving quite astute. Further, Broncos refugee Kurt Baptiste may have come of age at hooker.

What they are doing well
Nothing really. While their defence has improved a great deal on what it was last season, they are still capable of dismal efforts and none of their stats are better than average. For example they concede slightly more tries than the 2015 average to date and they score slightly fewer than the average.

What they are doing poorly
Conceding metres. They concede 1502 metres on average a match, the worst in the NRL. They also average less than three tries a game.

Players of note
If Jordan Rapana can get the errors out of his game he may be really successful. His ten errors and 17 missed tackles are taking away from his 29 tackle breaks, six line breaks, three tries and 115 metres per match.

Overall: Must stop making stupid errors and work better as a team if they are any chance to play in September.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
With the exception of the Round 6 flogging at the hand of the Dragons, the Dogs’ season to date has been every bit as gritty and pugnacious as we’ve come to expect from them.

Although missing a great many players they were too much for the Sea Eagles last weekend. Currently sitting in fifth spot, once they regain their players lost through the Good Friday debacle – as well as the Morris Twins and Tim Lafai – expect their considerable engine to get into gear in a big way. Hell hath no fury like the Doggies cornered.

What they are doing well
Their attack is in pretty good shape indeed. They are second best for tries scored – amazing considering the strike power that is out – and fourth best for metres gained.

In defence they are below the 2015 NRL average in virtually all categories, the feature of which is that they miss the least tackles of any side and they are the third best for line breaks conceded. Considering the early season turmoil they are doing pretty well.

What they are doing poorly
Not much at all. One area for improvement is that – while they don’t concede many line breaks – the breaks they do concede all too frequently turn into tries. Although their error counts and penalties conceded are both better than the average, the big issue has obviously been the blow up on Good Friday.

It had the real potential to derail their season. It’s testament to Des Hasler that it hasn’t.

Players of note
Curtis Rona’s eight tries are a feature. While the Dogs will be sweating on the return of Brett Morris with his 25 tackle breaks, seven line breaks and average of 154 metres, Sam Perrett has been performing admirably in his stead with four tries, 19 tackle breaks and an average of 114 metres a game.

Overall: Get your heads cool, Doggies, and this could be your season

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
After losing their first four games the boys from the Shire have turned it around, winning their last three straight. Each of those wins has been against well credentialed opponents. All of a sudden they may be a dark horse for the finals.

What they are doing well
They are making the third most tackle breaks and metres in the comp so far. They are also conceding the third fewest metres in defence, their errors are below the season average and they are conceding the second fewest penalties so far this year while getting awarded the most. Some good stats in there.

What they are doing poorly
For all of those great stats the Sharks still find it hard to cross the stripe. They are the fifth worst for line breaks and fourth worst for tries scored.

Players of note
Paul Gallen’s 197 metres a match are pretty special but we are used to that. What should be exciting the good folks in the Shire is young Jack Bird. In his four outings so far he has scored three tries, broken 17 tackles and averaged just under 100 running metres a game.

Overall: They need to knuckle down to make sure this resurgence isn’t a flash in the pan.

Gold Coast Titans
The pre season turmoil had many – including me – thinking that the Titans were a lay down misere for the spoon.

However, after losing their first three – including a flogging at the hands of the Panthers – they’ve bounced back to win three of the next four. While a court case still hangs over a number of players, the form of Hoffman, Zillman, Roberts and Myles sees the embattled club looking quite feisty.

What they are doing well
The Gold Coast may struggle in a number of areas but not try scoring. They have only scored two less than the leading try scoring team so far. Their metres conceded are less than the season average too.

What they are doing poorly
In spite of their try-scoring ability, there is plenty of room for improvement across the board at Robina. They are the fourth worst tackle breakers and second worst line breakers and metre makers. They make the second most errors in the comp, give away more penalties than any other team and miss the third most tackles in the NRL.

Players of note
Hard to go past James Roberts eight tries, 28 tackle breaks, two try assists and three line break assists. William Zillman’s 126 metres a match, 22 tackle breaks and three tries have also been great.

On the other hand Ryan James is on world record pace for penalties conceded with 14 already. That’s two a game. At this rate he’ll top 40.

Overall: Cut out the errors and missed tackles – and get your forwards going harder – and you might make the eight.

Dave Taylor is one damaging Gold Coast player (AAP Image/ Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
In the off season I was asked by a Roarer which sides that made the eight in 2014 would be missing out on the finals in 2015.

I said just one: Manly. Why? Easy: player losses and turmoil. Glenn Stewart, Daly Cherry Evans, Watmough and Foran either leaving or on the way out was compounded by injuries to Lawrence, Taufua, Lyon, Gutherson and Matai.

The Sea Eagles have used the most players of any side so far this season: 26. The golden era is over. The great club is on its hands and knees. Only one win in seven games has them rooted at the bottom of the ladder and in danger of their first ever spoon.

What they are doing well
There is only one thing that the Sea Eagles aren’t doing appallingly: Errors. They are the fifth best side for mistakes.

What they are doing poorly
Everything else. They are the very worst for line breaks, tackle breaks and metres made. They are also the worst for tackle breaks conceded. They’ve only scored 18 tries this year and made a dismal 15 line breaks.

They average a paltry 1200 metres a game and have conceded 30 tries so far this season – the second worst. From having one of the very best packs in the game they’ve gone to having the most ineffective.

Players of note
Only one Sea Eagle – Peter Hiku – is averaging over 100 metres a game. The next four best are in the 90s. Steve Matai’s four tries and ten tackle breaks from his four games must have the Brookvale faithful desperate for his injury woes to cease.

Overall: Pinning a lot of hope on the return of Matai and Lyon. Planning end of season trip for September.

Manly need Steve Matai back (Digital Image by Robb Cox ©nrlphotos.com)

The Melbourne Storm
Too old? Not likely.

The Storm find themselves in the familiar spot of topping the ladder after seven rounds. Their two losses have been by two and one point respectively. They’ve only used 19 players so far this season, the lowest of any side.

The Storm don’t go down easy. At least not while Bellamy and Smith are with them. The big question is does the magic of Slater, Smith and Cronk have one more premiership in them?

What they are doing well
As we have grown to expect, the Storm are the second best side for not making errors. As well, they are the third best for line breaks made, second best for line breaks conceded and equal third best for tries scored.

What they are doing poorly
The Storm aren’t doing their usual job of being excellent at everything. However, what would be a real concern to Bellamy would be that his boys are now conceding the fourth most metres a game of any side.

Players of note
There are quite a few Storm players who are impressing right now. Marika Koroibete is tearing it up on the wing with 178 metres a match, 27 tackle breaks, eight line breaks and five tries. Will Chambers has five tries to his name and 122 metres a game. Jesse Bromwich’s 151 metres a game have been huge.

Overall: Not quite as imposing as we’ve come to expect but still a very competitive and professional side that will challenge for the title.

The Newcastle Knights
The Knights went into season 2015 like they were shot out of a cannon, winning the first four games straight.

They’ve since lot the last three to come back to earth with a thud. Predicted to struggle post-Bennett, things haven’t looked so dire at all under Rick Stone. However, they must steady and get back on the winners list ASAP if they don’t want to waste their good start.

What they are doing well
They are the fourth best tackle breaking side in the league this year but everything else is either mediocre or poor.

What they are doing poorly
The Knights are averaging 32 missed tackles a game, the second worst in the NRL. They are also the second worst for errors made. They have scored the third fewest tries so far this year.

Players of note
Both Dane Gagai and Akuila Uate are averaging around 120 metres a match and have both scored four tries each so far this season. However, Gagai has become a liability in defence, missing 31 tackles in seven games. The only player doing worse is James Maloney.

Jarrod Mullen is also struggling in defence, having missed 25 tackles. Only Kane Snowden, with his average of 115 metres a game, is making any real impact amongst the Knights’ forwards.

Overall: Cut out the errors and the missed tackles or you’ll miss the finals.

The North Queensland Cowboys
With such a star-studded line up it was hard to understand why this mob aren’t in the top four every year.

After they lost their first three games, two very badly, it looked like it was going to be another season of mediocrity. However, led by the evergreen Johnathon Thurston, the Cowboys have won their last four and all of a sudden are definite contenders.

What they are doing well
While they are only making the fifth most tackle breaks this year, the Cowboys are leading the metres gained ledger. Averaging 1546 metres a game, they are 60 metres a match better than the next best.

They have ten players who are averaging over 100 metres a match – that’s a great platform for Thurston to weave his magic behind. They are also conceding the fewest metres of any side.

What they are doing poorly
While they concede the fewest metres of any side a game, incongruously they have conceded the most line breaks of any side this season. Stranger still considering that, their missed tackles are only average.

Players of note
Johnathon Thurston is in career-best form and there is little doubt that he has been the key man behind the Cowboys’ resurgence. His seven try assists are just one indicator of his dominance.

However, he has been ably assisted by a superstar in the making. Averaging almost five tackle breaks a game and 155 metres a match, Jason Taumalolo is a behemoth. Built like a brick outhouse that moves fast and has a great step, he is terrorising the best defences.

Overall: The Cowboys may finally have found the formula to perform consistently at home and on the road. If they have they’ll be top four for sure.

Jason Taumalolo is a massive beast in 2015 (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

The Parramatta Eels
The loss of Jarryd Hayne would still be hurting deeply at Parramatta. However, there has been a fair few reasons to be optimistic. While they’ve only won three from seven, the team has shown enough to suggest that they are growing as a force. However, they still have big shortcomings.

What they are doing well
One can only imagine how well they’d be doing with Hayne as the Eels are currently the top try scorers in the competition, scoring almost four a game on average. Their other great stat is that they are conceding the second fewest metres a match in defence so far this year, just 1305 a match on average.

What they are doing poorly
They miss over 30 tackles a game on average and, while they don’t concede many metres, they have conceded 31 tries so far this season – the worst in the NRL. They also make the third fewest metres of any side.

Players of note
Chris Sandow is starting to hit some pretty good form. He has made five try assists so far and he is not the worst missed tackler in the NRL for a change, he’s only the third worst.

John Folau has been a revelation with his 20 tackle breaks and four tries. Only Tim Mannah and Manu Mau are averaging over 100 metres a game in the forwards.

Overall: Parramatta are a paradox. The highest try scorers and conceders. Frugal metre conceders and achievers. They need to achieve consistency if they are any chance of playing finals footy.

The Penrith Panthers
After 2014 ended with such hope for this season, injuries have cruelled the Panthers chances so far. Injuries to Docker, Brown, Idris, Kite, Mansour, Soward, Wallace and Taylor have been telling.

After starting with two good wins, they’ve only managed one more since to be languishing in 13th position. While Idris’ season is over, if the Panthers can get their full team back on the pitch we know what they can do.

What they are doing well
The Panthers break more tackles on average than any other team, with over 31 a match. They make the second most line breaks a match with five. They also concede the equal second lowest metres a match with 1307.

What they are doing poorly
The Panthers make the fourth least metres a match. In defence they miss the most tackles of any side with 33 a game. Their average of 12 errors a game is the fourth worst in the NRL. They also top the offloads made stat.

It isn’t a stat that is usually seen as a good one as it signifies a) you’ve probably got a struggling attack that offloads in desperation and b) it usually leads to high error rates – like Penrith have now.

Players of note
Matt Moylan is a star. I hope Laurie Daley gives him the NSW fullback spot. Although he is only in his third season of top grade footy, he has stepped up into a leadership and playmaking role in the absence of Wallace and Soward.

His stats are great: 114 metres, four line breaks, 22 tackle breaks, nine line break assists and nine try assists.

Overall: Need some wins to stay in contention while their stars recover.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs
The loss of Ben Te’o and Sam Burgess were always going to be hard to cover. And so it has proved.

Add the injuries to key playmakers Adam Reynolds and John Sutton and the Rabbitohs have done it tough. The reigning premiers have only won four from seven and – if they lose to the Raiders in Cairns this weekend – it will be the first time they have lost three consecutive games in a long while.

What they are doing well
The Rabbitohs defence is still first rate. While not at quite the standard they were last year, they average only 22 missed tackles a game – the third best in the comp. But that’s where it ends.

What they are doing poorly
By general standards there are not a lot of things they are doing poorly. However, by the standards they set in 2014, the Rabbitohs are struggling.

They concede 60 metres on average more than they make a game and they are the fifth lowest metres gaining side in the NRL so far this year. Last season they averaged 4.5 tries every game, this year it has fallen below 3.5 a game.

Players of note
While the Rabbitohs form may have waned, they still feature Greg Inglis in their ranks. While his stats are down on 2014 as well, his average of 131 metres a game, mixed with his 28 tackle breaks, five line break assists and five try assists make him a superstar of the game.

Alex Johnson’s eight line breaks and six tries earmark him as a superstar of the future.

Overall: While they will almost certainly make the eight, it is hard to see the Rabbitohs challenging for the flag unless their forward pack puts a lot more mongrel into their work.

St George Illawarra Dragons
We haven’t seen the Dragons as high as second spot on the ladder since 2011.

After a dismal start where they only scored two tries in their first two matches, they’ve won their next five straight to have the fans of the Red V out in numbers once more. An off season clean out saw the likes of Brett Morris and Jack Bird leave, so the Dragons strong form is unexpected to say the least.

What they are doing well
With an average of 1486 metres a match on average, The Dragons are the second best in that category. They also are second best when it comes to missed tackles, making only 22 a game.

They are the best when it comes to conceding line breaks, with only 17 been made against them. Not surprisingly they’ve only conceded 13 tries so far this year, the lowest in the NRL.

What they are doing poorly
While their defensive record is great, the Dragons’ attack is as poor as ever. They’ve only scored 16 tries so far this season, the lowest amount of any team. Only Manly and the Gold Coast have made fewer line breaks than the Dragons. They are also the fifth worst side for errors.

Players of note
There is a big push from Dragons fans to try and keep Trent Merrin at the club, and with good reason.

The bloke is a star. He’d be in any 17 I picked. An average of 156 metres a game and 37 tackles is top quality. Pull out your chequebook before round 13 Mr Doust and add a zero. This kid Euan Aitken could be a special. He’s averaging 134 metres a game and is big, fast and strong.

Overall: While the Dragons’ defence is extremely good, history has taught us that titles must be won through strong attack. Marshall and Widdop must find a way to get the Dragons attack into top gear if they want to be serious contenders.

Sydney Roosters
In spite of the loss of Sonny Bill Williams, at the start of the year I tipped the Roosters to win the title. Although they’ve lost the last three on the trot, my opinion hasn’t changed. Their side is brimming with strike power and has a superb pack. What’s more, the kids they’ve brought in this year also look the goods.

What they are doing well
The Roosters have a gun attack. They’ve scored the second most tries, broken the second most tackles and performed the third most line breaks so far this year. They can score from virtually anywhere and, in spite of the injury to Ferguson, boast strike power across the field.

What they are doing poorly
The Roosters defence has dropped off significantly this season and they are missing an extra five tackles a game. They are the fourth worst side for this stat. They are conceding 150 more metres in defence a game than they were last season as well. Only the Raiders are conceding more so far this year.

Oh, and they can’t buy a penalty, averaging only 4.6 a match awarded to them – the lowest in the NRL. That’s the same as last season.

Players of note
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. We all knew he was good but out there on the wing it wasn’t as obvious. Now at fullback his full majesty is revealed. He is averaging – wait for it – 215 metres a game… He’s broken 35 tackles and has five line breaks to his name. You can bet the Roosters will be pumping up his offer before the round 13 deadline to try and keep him.

James Maloney has six line break assists and seven try assists so far this season. However, he is leading the missed tackle count for the entire NRL with 34 so far this year. The return of the brilliant Aidan Guerra cannot come soon enough to shore up the Roosters’ defence once more.

Overall: The three losses are just a hiccup. The Roosters will be there when the whips are cracking with their superb A game.

The New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors are an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle, wrapped in a donut. I don’t understand them. They’ve got the talent to be anything but so often they amount to nothing. I genuinely believe that this side can challenge for the premiership if they can get a Melbourne Storm like professional focus going. I thought Ryan Hoffman might bring it with him. Their record of three wins from seven has them in 11th spot. They are truly Forrest Gump’s chocolates: you never know what you are going to get.

What they are doing well
Attack isn’t the Warriors issue. They average six line breaks a game to be the best in the comp for that stat.

They have scored the equal second most tries so far this year. Their 1450 metres gained a match has them in the top five for that stat as well. They are the fourth best for not missing tackles, with only 23 misses a game. They concede the fewest penalties of any side so far this year with just over five a game.

What they are doing poorly
With all those great stats in their favour what could possibly bringing the Warriors down?

Simple: errors. They are averaging nearly 14 errors a match.

Players of note
The Beast – AKA Manu Vatuvei – has been the Warriors perennial leading error merchant.

This year is no exception with him already making 15 – the most in the NRL. However, he has also scored six tries, broken 37 tackles – the most in the NRL – and is averaging 133 metres a game.

His backline colleague Solomone Kata is also tearing it up with five tries, 22 tackle breaks and 125 metres a game. Shaun Johnson with four line breaks and four try assists is still well away from his top gear.

Overall: Cut out the errors and the Warriors can beat anybody.

The Warriors’ Manu Vatuvei. (AAP Image/David Rowland)

Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers started with two wins but they have been anything but consistent. They are yet another side that has won three from seven.

They currently sit in ninth thanks to a plus two differential. With the exception of their win over the Dragons, their form has not been convincing. Their squandering of a 22-point lead last start demonstrated the side’s frailty.

What they are doing well
The Wests Tigers concede below average missed tackles with 24 a game. However, their best stat is that they have conceded the fewest errors of any side so far this season, just over nine a game.

What they are doing poorly
They make the fourth fewest line breaks and second fewest tackle breaks of all the sides so far this season. As well they are conceding the second most penalties a game and the third most metres in defence.

Players of note
Two really stand out here. James Tedesco is averaging 120 metres a game and has 35 tackle breaks to his name, second only to Manu Vatuvei. Tedesco also boasts six tries. The other really impressive player is Chewbacca – AKA Aaron Woods. Boasting 195 metres and 37 tackles a game is truly worthy of the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon.

Overall: The Wests Tigers must achieve a consistently high standard if they are to exploit their prodigious talent. They cannot switch off again in a match if they want to be finals contenders.