We’re starting a week late, but I will endeavour to have a weekly power ranking up every Wednesday.
1. Rabbitohs (2-0)
I seriously considered putting the Panthers here, but you can’t argue with a premiership.
The Bunnies came from behind to beat a very good Roosters side last weekend, and I’m starting to think the loss of Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o may not hurt them as much as we suspected.
2. Panthers (2-0)
Apart from a 12-minute stretch against the Bulldogs, the Panthers have probably been the best team of the first two rounds.
Matt Moylan is already in mid-season form, and if their forwards can continue getting over the advantage line, this club has enough class in the backline to go deep into September.
3. Roosters (1-1)
They took a loss this weekend, but it was to the Number 1 ranked side, and they looked the better side for long periods. A first-up away win over the Cowboys was impressive, and the Roosters are looking the goods for another premiership tilt in 2015.
4. Knights (2-0)
Raise your hand if you thought the Knights would be undefeated after two rounds this year. Now raise your other hand to indicate you’re lying.
A tough win over the Cowboys has set them up nicely this season, and they’ve got the grunt in the forward pack to cause some headaches. Tariq Sims will only help their cause.
5. Tigers (2-0)
Granted, their first win was a struggle, but they looked very good last night in dismantling the Dragons. James Tedesco is quickly becoming one of the premier fullbacks in the NRL, and the young halves pairing will only get better.
6. Bulldogs (1-1)
A win in Friday night’s tough encounter with the Eels was needed, as a fairly poor loss to the Panthers had a few questioning their credentials (I know, they only lost by six points, but they were dominated for 65 minutes of that game).
The Morris twins being reunited in blue and white may have a profound impact on this squad.
7. Storm (1-1)
A tough loss at Brookvale this weekend, but anyone who doesn’t expect the Storm to challenge for finals in 2015 is sorely mistaken. They showed grit on Saturday, and they may have plugged the hole at five-eighth with Blake Green – their 6 was outstanding.
8. Eels (1-1)
I’m not entirely sure what to make of the Eels so far, so I’m just going to put them here. After looking like world-beaters in Round 1 against a very poor Manly, they fell back to earth a little on Friday night.
Although that game was closer than the scoreline suggested, they do have some injury issues to worry about.
9. Warriors (1-1)
The Warriors have the ability to challenge for a premiership in 2015, but the question remains as to whether they will be able to put it together on the field. A first-up loss to the Knights was backed up with a fairly underwhelming victory over the Raiders, but two points is two points.
10. Sea Eagles (1-1)
The last 10 minutes of the first half was vintage Manly, but they’ve played three very poor halves to start the season. Their entire showing against the Eels in Round 1 was pathetic, and they were lucky to hold off the Storm on Saturday.
With a clash against the Bulldogs coming up on Friday night, don’t expect them to climb any time soon.
11. Raiders (1-1)
The Raiders may be the ultimate ‘under the radar’ side. They’ve beaten the Sharks and lost to the Warriors, and they’re yet to show anything that would suggest their finalists this season.
But with a clash against the Dragons in Round 3, they’re a great chance to start the season 2-1.
12. Broncos (1-1)
If you win the worst game of NRL in recent memory, do you really win at all? The Broncos were hyped as potential premiers in the pre-season, but if their early form is anything to go by, they’re closer to a spoon than a premiership.
Although they picked up the two points in Round 2, a tough clash with the Cowboys in Round 3 could see them fall further behind the pack.
13. Cowboys (0-2)
I can’t put them any higher than this considering the back-to-back home losses, but we all know the talent that this team possesses. A win against the Broncos this weekend is a must if they want any chance at the top four.
14. Sharks (0-2)
Although Friday night was atrocious, the Sharks have probably been the best of the winless teams so far. They have a trip to Melbourne in Round 3, so a 0-3 start would seem likely.
15. Titans (0-2)
Yeah, they got beaten by 40 on the weekend, but a little more luck could have seen them ahead at halftime against the Panthers. A win next weekend against the Knights could set their season up nicely.
16. Dragons (0-2)
They’re averaging four points a game. Four. That’s one try. That’s abysmal.
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