NRL Power Rankings Round 16
1 – St George Illawarra. The defending premiers found form in a big way by hammering Manly on Monday. Now that they’ve got their first win in a month – and the end of representative season in the sight – the Dragons can focus on a third consecutive minor premiership.
2 – Melbourne. Scored a great result in New Zealand. Worthy contenders for the premiership. As good as the ‘big three’ of Smith, Cronk and Slater have been, pivot Gareth Widdop has made a lot of difference.
3 – Brisbane. Just lost to South Sydney in horrendous conditions in Perth. Don’t have the class of the leading clubs but any team with Lockyer can do some real damage.
4 – Manly. Came crashing back to earth with a thud against St George Illawarra after a six-game winning streak. It’s not the loss, but the way it happened – Manly couldn’t find a way through the Dragons' defence and were ill-disciplined all the way through.
5 – North Queensland. Had their chances against Penrith, but are still in the top eight. Underrated side that could do lots of damage later in the year.
6 – Bulldogs. Didn’t they need that win over the Tigers on Friday? The pressure is off Kevin Moore for now and the boys from Bankstown can focus on nailing down a finals spot.
7 – Knights. Going very well for a club that has one eye on next year. Ryan Stig has been a revelation.
8 – Warriors. Hmm. World-beaters one week, losers the next. Consistency will be the key because they have match winners all over the park.
9 – Penrith. Still in line for a finals berth. Gave Steve Georgalis a perfect start to his coaching career.
10 – Wests Tigers. Were out of sorts and impotent without Benji. Need him back, ASAP.
11 – South Sydney. Last Friday’s win in the wet is nothing more than the one game every month where they will show up.
12 – Sharks. Back-to-back wins. Powered by Gallen.
13 – Raiders. Beating Parramatta is handy but the finals are a forlorn hope.
14 – Eels. Reni Matua will be the savour. Promise.
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15 – Roosters. There will be no fairytale this year.
16 – Gold Coast. Wooden spoon certainties based on their last few weeks.
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