Sadly, after just six rounds it’s already a two-horse race in the NRL

The 2019 NRL season is in diapers, still only weeks old, and yet I’m already being forced into saying something that I know I’m going to get criticised for.

Yes, I’m sure I’ll be accused of throwing out a scorching hot take here, but I promise what I’m about to say isn’t just a cheap grab for clicks, and I honestly, firmly believe it.

Don’t say it, Ryan.

Don’t say it, Ryan.

Don’t say it, Ryan.

Don’t say it, Ryan.

Don’t say it, Ryan.

Argh! I can’t help it!

Only the Storm and Roosters can win the comp this year!

Phew. That actually felt quite therapeutic.

Sorry, folks, but it’s true. Barring some serious injuries, the NRL premiership this year will be won by the Storm or Roosters. Not only were they last year’s grand finalists, but the standard of football the two teams are playing this year is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, and I really can’t see that changing.

I’m sure both teams will have some patches during the year when they slip a little bit. Whether it’s form, injuries or representative duties, it’s a long season and it’s difficult to maintain a high level of production all the way through it.

However, after six rounds the Storm and Roosters have shown they have the talent, coaching, experience and execution to ensure they keep all other teams in the shade.

Don’t believe me? Let’s run through the other 14 teams then, and seriously tell me if you can see them hoisting the premiership trophy in October.

Bulldogs
If the over/under on how many more games the Dogs win the season were five, I’d be legitimately scared that the under should be favourite. Needless to say Canterbury are not winning the comp this year. I know, I know – it’s a big call, but I’m not afraid of crazy predictions.

Broncos
Speaking of crazy predictions, I said Brisbane wouldn’t make the eight this season when many experts were picking them to make the grand final. Currently sitting in 14th place with one win from six games, the Broncos would probably have to win 13 from 18 games to make the finals if we say 14 wins are required (for example, last year 15 wins got you in). I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Knights
Sheesh. Many people’s dark horse team for the season have been nothing short of horrible and the biggest disappointments of the young year. At this point success for coach Nathan Brown would be not getting fired this week, let alone winning the grand final.

Cowboys
The injury to Jason Taumalolo and Ben Barba’s contract being torn up has left North Queensland seriously depleted of talent, and they weren’t exactly flush with it to begin with. It could be a long season of football in Townsville.

Panthers
Whether it’s adjusting to their new coach, the off-season sex scandals having a lingering effect or the dramas involving football supremo Gus Gould, something is off at Penrith. Worst of all for Panthers fans, it may be none of those things. Perhaps the team is just not very good.

Titans
Granted, Gold Coast are coming off a couple of impressive wins versus Penrith and Newcastle, which were sorely needed, because they were 0-4. But let’s not pretend they’re suddenly premiership favourites or anything. They’re a below-average team. And now they’ve lost skipper Ryan James to a ruptured ACL.

Warriors
It says a lot about the season thus far that a team that has looked as putrid as New Zealand aren’t even in the bottom six. They must be thanking their heavenly stars that other teams have started slowly, and it would be a miracle to see this team in the grand final.

Tigers
The team coming off a 51-6 thrashing by Parramatta? The team that gave the truly woeful, bottom-of-the-ladder Bulldogs their only win? That team is going to win the premiership? In the words of the ancient philosopher Ariana Grande, ‘Thank you, next’.

Sharks
At the risk of undermining my own opinion, Cronulla are the one team I fear could make this whole piece look very foolish in a few months time. Once healthy, with all their stars on deck, I actually do think the Sharks could give the competition a real nudge, but I’ve got a headline to live up to here, so let’s jog along, shall we?

(Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

Sea Eagles
Manly have been somewhat a surprise to start the year and currently find themselves in the seventh spot on the ladder. However, a closer look at their season sees their record at just 3-3, and two of their wins have come over Newcastle and New Zealand. I don’t expect them to hold on to a finals berth, much less challenge for the premiership.

Dragons
St George Illawarra have won four in a row, which sounds super impressive until you realise the four wins have been over Brisbane, Newcastle, Canterbury and Manly, with three of those wins by a combined four points. You can only beat what’s in front of you, so hats off to the Dragons, but I think their bubble will burst soon.

Eels
Credit it where it’s due, Parramatta have been great to start the season, except for a couple of hiccups against the Roosters and Raiders. There is no shame losing to Canberra this year, nor – obviously – the Roosters. The Eels looked absolutely sensational in dismantling the Tigers on the weekend, and they may continue to be buoyed by their new stadium.

I don’t think they’re in the class of the Storm or Roosters, but they’re doing all they can to prove me wrong.

Rabbitohs
Is it just me or are the Bunnies the least impressive team in recent memory to start the season with five wins from their first six matches? You can’t argue with the results, but I just don’t think Souths have played all that well, and they have been incredibly lucky thus far.

Having said that, good teams win even when they’re not playing well, so they deserve some respect. Just not that much respect.

Raiders
Third on the ladder. Five from six wins. Stingy defence. At 12/1, you could do worse than throw some spare money on Canberra to win the competition. Yet I’ll save you the money and tell you not to bet on them because you know who the Raiders’ one loss was against? Melbourne.

They’ve beat up on the Titans, Knights, Cowboys and Broncos, so it’s probably best if we check-in on this team once their schedule gets a little harder.

So that’s a look at the other 14 teams in the comp. On current playing form it’s not exactly a murderer’s row, is it? However, it’s a long season, so I fully admit calling the competition a two-horse race in April is little presumptuous and hot take-y.

Sadly, that doesn’t mean it’s not true, though.