Panthers toppled as new favourite emerges; title reality check as Eels implode — Power Rankings
The Roosters’ hopes of a first premiership since 2019 have been given a reality check after their shock loss to the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Storm are now a genuine threat to the Panthers and the Eels and Souths are imploding.
Read on for the NRL Power Rankings ahead of Round 6.
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1. MELBOURNE STORM
Last week’s ranking: 3rd (up two spots)
Analysis: The Storm beat the Broncos 34-32 in a thriller to stamp themselves as a genuine threat to the Panthers’ chances of winning a four-peat. Cameron Munster returned from injury in style with two linebreak assists and his halves partner was the best player on the field and scored the match winner. Eliesa Katoa is blossoming into an excellent edge forward after picking up a double. The Storm can cement their spot in the top four and as the leader of the power rankings with a win over the Bulldogs on Friday night.
2. PENRITH PANTHERS
Last week’s ranking: 1st (down one spot)
Analysis: The Panthers put in their worst performance of the season to go down 32-18 to the Sea Eagles. Dylan Edwards was superb in a beaten side with two tries and a try assist, while Brad Schneider also grabbed a try in another impressive display. However, the Panthers missed Nathan Cleary’s kicking game as Daly Cherry-Evans picked them apart. The Panthers have the bye in Round 6 and they will hope to get some troops back against the Tigers including Cleary.
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3. MANLY SEA EAGLES
Last week’s ranking: 5th (up two spots)
Analysis: The Sea Eagles had plenty to play for in Daly Cherry-Evans’ record 310th game for the club and they delivered for their captain in a 32-18 win over the Panthers. Cherry-Evans was the chief destroyer with two try assists and a try, while Tom Trbojevic bounced back from a horror performance the week before with a try assist and a try and three linebreaks. Corey Waddell had a stormer off the bench as Manly proved they can be a genuine title threat in 2024. They next face a huge test against the Warriors in Auckland in Round 6.
4. BRISBANE BRONCOS
Last week’s ranking: 2nd (down two spots)
Analysis: The Broncos were brave but ultimately went down to the Storm 34-32 in a seesawing epic. Already down on star troops including Reece Walsh and Payne Haas, the Broncos lost skipper Adam Reynolds to a hamstring injury during the game. Ezra Mam stepped up in the absence of his No.7 with a classy double to nearly drag his team to victory. Young behemoth Ben Te Kura also scored a try in an impressive debut off the bench. The Broncos need to beat the high-flying Dolphins in the battle of Brisbane on Friday night or risk losing touch with the top eight.
5. WARRIORS
Last week’s ranking: 6th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Warriors thrashed the Rabbitohs 34-4 to make it three wins on the trot. Shaun Johnson was back to the form he produced last season with two try assists and a classy double, while his new halves partner Te Maire Martin was impressive in his return to the side with a try and a try assist. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was excellent in his return at fullback, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showed his versatility in shifting to the wing when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was ruled out. The Warriors can prove they are genuine smokeys for the title with a win over Manly in Round 6.
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6. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Last week’s ranking: 7th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Cowboys beat the Titans 35-22 in a shootout with Todd Payten’s side proving they are one of the best attacking sides this season. Scott Drinkwater is in irresistible form with three linebreaks, a try assist and a double, while Chad Townsend controlled the game from halfback with two try assists and three linebreak assists. Origin stars Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi were also impressive in try-scoring performances. The Cowboys get another chance to cement their spot in the top four with a clash with the struggling Eels in Round 6.
7. SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Last week’s ranking: 4th (down three spots)
Analysis: The Roosters were upset 30-26 in a crazy thriller against the Bulldogs. The Roosters found themselves down 26-0 before storming home but they ultimately fell short. They did lose Sam Walker and James Tedesco to concussions early in the game, while Dom Young was sent off, so they did well to get themselves back in the game. However, Luke Keary slammed his side’s defence in the first half and they will need to be a lot better to contend for the title later in the year. The Roosters can get back on track in a clash with the Knights on Thursday night.
8. DOLPHINS
Last week’s ranking: 9th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Dolphins beat the Tigers 26-16 to cement their place on top of the table, but the win came at a cost. Injuries to Felise Kaufusi, Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler will test the side’s depth in the coming weeks. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was again electric at the back with a try, while halves Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima each grabbed tries in eye-catching displays. Wayne Bennett faces a huge challenge to get his first win as Dolphins coach over the Broncos in the Battle of Brisbane.
9. CRONULLA SHARKS
Last week’s ranking: 8th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Sharks had the bye after their convincing 36-22 win over the Raiders and only slipped a spot due to the winning ways of the Dolphins. Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall are starting to make the Sharks sing in attack and if their defence can improve they can be a real dark horse for a title run. The Sharks get a great chance to keep the wins coming with a clash with the struggling Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
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10. CANBERRA RAIDERS
Last week’s ranking: 11th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Raiders bounced back form their loss to the Sharks with a stunning 41-8 thrashing of the Eels. Ethan Strange had his best game of the season with two try assists and over 60 run metres, while Hudson Young was immense up front with a try and over 150 metres. Every one of the Raiders’ outside backs scored a try except for fullback Jordan Rapana, who set one up showing that their attack is in good shape. There are bigger battles ahead for the Raiders, but they get another good chance to put on a score when they face the lowly Titans in Round 6.
11. CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Last week’s ranking: 15th (up four spots)
Analysis: The Bulldogs showed they are a changed team with an upset 30-26 victory over the Roosters. The Bulldogs celebrated the 20 year anniversary of their last premiership and the players were playing like it was 2004 to lead 26-0. Matt Burton scored a hat-trick in a brilliant display at five-eighth. Viliame Kikau was immense with over 150 run metres and a try assist, while Bronson Xerri was dangerous in his return from a four-year ban. The Bulldogs need to fix their defensive lapses that saw the Roosters nearly come back and win it, but they are trending in the right direction. They face a huge test against the Storm in Melbourne in Round 5.
11. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Last week’s ranking: 16th (up four spots)
Analysis: The Knights dominated the Dragons 30-10 in atrocious conditions. Ironically the Knights actually held onto the ball with a completion rate of 83 per cent despite the driving rain. Kalyn Ponga was exceptional with a try assist, two linebreaks and a try in a 14-point haul. Jackson Hastings impressed in his return at halfback and he and Jack Cogger had three try assists and a try between them. Dylan Lucas was strong in the back row after being a late inclusion for Tyson Frizell. The Knights face a huge test against the reshuffled Roosters at home in Round 6.
13. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s ranking: 12th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Tigers’ bid to win three straight fell short with a 26-16 loss to the Dolphins. Both sides had to deal with some injury adversity and the Tigers showed real bravery and grit to fight back into the game. Young gun centre Solomona Faataape was impressive with a classy double, while Alex Seyfarth scored a try in a cameo off the bench. The Tigers missed Lachlan Galvin’s creativity in the halves and Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan need to step up in his absence. Benji Marshall’s side can get back on track against the Dragons in Round 6.
14. PARRAMATTA EELS
Last week’s ranking: 10th (down three spots)
Analysis: The Eels were a rabble in their 41-8 thrashing at the hands of the Raiders. Maika Sivo scored a double, but missed four tackles and has been dropped for Round 6. Dylan Brown was solid at halfback, but Brad Arthur needs to change the game plan to suit his strengths with Mitchell Moses out for an extended period. Blaize Talagi has been dropped with Daejarn Asi coming in at five-eighth as Arthur shakes up the side. The Eels’ season is in danger of imploding heading into a must win clash against the Cowboys on Saturday.
15. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Last week’s ranking: 13th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Dragons’ Jekyll and Hyde season continued with a frustrating 30-10 loss to the Knights. Tyrell Sloan was hooked at fullback after failing to commit himself on three Knights tries. Zac Lomax impressed in his switch to fullback running for over 200 metres to go with a freak try assist and a try. Ben Hunt had a poor night at the office with three errors in the slippery conditions. The Dragons will aim to get their season back on track with a clash with the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
16. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Last week’s ranking: 14th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Rabbitohs’ miserable season continued with a 34-4 thrashing at the hands of the Warriors. Souths sit last on the ladder and are only ahead of the Titans on the power rankings because they have won a game this season. Latrell Mitchell had a try and four linebreak assists, but shot himself in the foot with stupid plays that saw him placed on report twice and suspended. Souths need more from their halves Cody Walker and Dean Hawkins to create opportunities for their players out wide. But you can’t win in the NRL when you miss 52 tackles and Souths need to address their defence. Jason Demetriou is fighting for his job when they take on the Sharks on Saturday.
17. GOLD COAST TITANS
Last week’s ranking: 17th (no movement)
Analysis: The Titans remained the only winless team this season with a 35-22 loss to the Cowboys. Brian Kelly scored a try but had eight missed tackles in a poor defensive display that mirrored the team’s. Jayden Campbell was dangerous in attack with a try and over 100 metres, while Beau Fermor and David Fifita were strong in the back row. However, the Titans aren’t getting enough creativity and try creations from their halves Kieran Foran and Tanah Boyd and that is putting pressure on the team having to rely on moments of individual brilliance to score points. But until they address their woeful defence it is hard to see where their first win is coming from and the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday will be a huge challenge.