The upsets continued in Round 9 of the NRL, with one team’s performance, in particular, putting them ahead as the competition’s clear front-runners.
1. Dragons
No surprise really, as St George Illawarra sit atop the table all on their own.
Many questioned whether they would fall, as in previous years, but after a convincing win over the Storm they’re arguably the only tier one team in the NRL at the moment.
2. Warriors
Nine rounds in the Warriors are 7-2 – yes, 7-2. While there is still plenty of footy to come, they are certainly living up to expectations.
Despite being the only team to defeat the Dragons, I put them at the top of the second tier.
3. Rabbitohs
There’s a lot to like about the Bunnies this year – their backs are arguably the best in the league and their forwards are laying a platform.
With Sam Burgess back this week, an upset could be on the cards.
4. Panthers
Penrith are a seriously good footy team. Decimated by injury, they still sit firmly in the top four.
5. Roosters
The Roosters are far too talented not to be considered a premiership force, but at the moment there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
James Tedesco is still trying to find his feet now that he is no longer required to be the dominant hand.
6. Storm
Neither Brodie Croft nor Ryley Jacks have set the world on fire and it has forced Cameron Smith to play a lot of first receiver. Losing your 7 and then forcing the best hooker to ever play the game into a different position is a recipe for disaster.
7. Cowboys
The Cows are on the up. Jason Taumalolo is back to his best, and Johnathan Thurston isn’t far behind. The reason they are so low on this list is simply their start to the season – watch this space.
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8. Sharks
Cronulla have struggled largely due to the fact that they have three fullbacks in their side.
9. Wests Tigers
All the Tigers’ players are on the bus, but does that bus have a few flat tyres? Their league-leading defence is starting to be found out, as teams continue to turn their attack against the grain.
10. Knights
Kalyn Ponga, remember that name. This kid is something special, and will continue to single-handedly make the Knights competitive.
While I can’t see them winning the competition, they’ll be far closer than a lot of teams.
11. Raiders
Despite winning on the weekend, Canberra find themselves in the third tier: the non-contenders. They’ve got plenty of talent to turn it around but as it stands they will have little to no impact on this year’s finals series.
12. Eels
Parramatta have had the worst possible start to the season and find themselves on life support. They finally managed to get on the board a few rounds ago, but are yet to get off the bottom of the table.
13. Manly
Another team that looks great on paper, but injuries to key personnel and off-field drama have prevent the Sea Eagles from being the force they should be.
14. Broncos
It may be unfair to have Brisbane so low when they sit ninth on the ladder, but there is a lot to be desired from a team tipped to make the eight. Anthony Milford has been off the pace and Jack Bird is lacking confidence.
They have the talent to turn it around but they’ll need to find form soon.
15. Titans
Nothing much to write home about here. Gold Coast are awful at the moment.
16. Bulldogs
So close yet so far. A heartbreaking loss and a hefty fine is the highlight of the Dogs’ season thus far.
Michael
Roar Rookie
Personal power rankings, so very subjective. In regards to date and forecast. This first post is a bit of a mixed bag as we're a third of the way through and this is my first post on the topic. I'm hoping to post one next week which will start to focus more on form and hopefully be a little more in depth (as I wrote most of this on my phone on the way into work this morning haha).
Michael
Roar Rookie
Teams I like? That a bit harsh. Bird has just been named in the centers. This kinda helps my argument. But from memory he is yet to provide a try assist wearing the 7. Plus I would hardly call 4 and 9 points convincing. Yea they won but they also got done by the Titans by 12. Smith isn't the Smith that he was last year playing in the role he is currently playing. He is spending a lot of time at first receiver which is preventing him from controlling the game like we are used too. The were two instances near the Dragons line were we'd expect more from Smith. The intercept, and one where instead of taking them on close to the line decided to turn his forward back on the inside, straight into he markers. Not saying they wont be a top four side, but there is still a lot of work to do.
Nat
Roar Guru
Ok so it's based on teams you like, not form. You're Bird is not a half but he's 3/4 in that role including convincing wins over your No. 2 & 3. Storm put 50 on the Warriors and 34 and 40 before that, I would say he's lost too much - except his ability to breathe last weekend.
Dean
Guest
Based on current form and wins you have Melbourne at 2? You're either joking or blind. Melbourne are so far off the pace at the moment it's not funny. Granted injuries have played their part in it but I would like to see them win a few more games against quality opposition before I would be ranking them that highly.
Albo
Guest
So Michael, I am interested in the term " Power Rankings" and what we should interpret from them: 1. Are these your own personally evaluated "power rankings" only, or are they inputs from multiple ratings sources ? 2. Do they represent an evaluation of the teams' performance rankings to date only, or do they represent a forecast likely finishing ranking ?
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Interesting read...and purely subjective of course. Dragons clearly playing the best football right now and have a very balanced team. They have had no significant injuries and Origin is coming which will deplete this side and test its depth. It will be interesting to see how they respond and deal with being the "hunted" over the next 15 rounds. I watched a little bit of the post match press conference by Bellamy and it was interesting in the way he chose his words carefully. It was as if he knew had they not dropped the ball so much and had a couple of calls go their way they were every chance to beat the Dragons. It tells me he is reasonably confident they have the cattle to challenge whoever ends up in the finals. Definately not sold on the Warriors at #2 or Roosters at #5- the Roosters will make finals but on their current form I'm not impressed. Bunnies at #3 is an interesting one. They have played 5 teams currently in the Top 8 and have performed above expectations. I'm sold on their forward pack alone as long as Sam stays out of trouble but they have some tough games coming up and could fall down the ladder fairly quickly. The Sharks just play boring footy so they should be thereabouts at the end- The Broncos are another team not playing anywhere near their best and are hanging on.Won't do much if they make Top 8. Cowboys on a 1 game winning streak but have a very soft schedule over the next 4 weeks so could see them bolt into the Top 8 and stay there.
Michael
Roar Rookie
Why is there so much love for Brisbane? They started the year with a no half and still have no half. Milford has two try assists for the year, and Bird shouldn't be wearing a single digit jersey unless it's a 3 or 4. They've got two victories from questionable decisions. Melbourne also have some serious issues. While Munster has found form, Smith is struggling to control as he has in the past. Melbourne last year wouldn't have let that game on the weekend blow out. Even Smiths kick that went dead from his 30 in the second half would have found the sideline. Cows, maybe I have them a little high. But they are a quality side that are starting to find their feet again. Morgan has said he's struggled with his role since JT return but the game against Penrith has helped him figure it out.
Nat
Roar Guru
Ok so the Saints are up top, fair enough but the rest is just wrong. Saints beat Melbourne so that drops them to 6th, one above the Cowboys after 3 sporadic wins? Rabbits beat a really below strength Newcastle this week but well beaten last week and that puts them above Panthers who are above them on the actual table despite losing half their talent to injury. Admittedly there is not much between the rest above the Dogs, Titans and Eels but the Broncos have beaten 3/5 of the top 8 they have played yet you have Manly, after 5 straight losses above them.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
You know Wayne Bennett will file this article under Adversity.
Michael
Guest
Wow. That was added in editing. My fault for not adding an intro.
The Barry
Roar Guru
"The upsets continued in Round 9 of the NRL..." Not a great start considering the favourites won seven of the eight games. The only game that didn't go the favourites way was the Cowboys v the Panthers which was the second closest game in terms of betting (behind Dragons v Storm) with the Cowboys at 2.05 and Penrith 1.80.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
20 point difference between 1st and 16th 1 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2 Melbourne Storm 3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 4 Penrith Panthers 5 New Zealand Warriors 5 Wests Tigers 7 Sydney Roosters 8 Brisbane Broncos 8 Canberra Raiders 8 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 11 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12 Parramatta Eels 13 North Queensland Cowboys 14 Newcastle Knights 15 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 16 Gold Coast Titans
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
These rankings are a joke. How can you have the Roosters above the Storm? The Storm should be ranked 2nd or 3rd. And the Roosters have been pretty ordinary and should be ranked somewhere near the bottom of the 8. There is no way that the Cowboys should be ranked 7th if we are looking at current form. Sure they just had a win and could make the 8 by the end of the season but at the moment they would be lucky to be ranked 12th - above only the Eels, Dogs, Titans and Manly. And I reckon the Raiders are as good chance a chance as many other teams of making the 8 by season end. And having the Broncos at 14th is simply ridiculous.