NSWRL Junior Reps: Power ranking all 18 clubs across Matts, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup comps

Coming into the sixth round of the NSWRL Junior Reps, we deliver our power rankings of where your club is placed and how they’re travelling heading into the weekend.

Bronte Wilson and the Steelers are flying. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

Every week we rank all 18 clubs across the four competitions, based on form, trajectory and strength of schedule.

Here are our power rankings of every club heading into the sixth round of the NSWRL Junior Reps.

1. PARRAMATTA EELS

Combined record: 13-1-3

Round 4: 3-1

Last week’s rank: 1

Apart from a loss in Tarsha Gale, it was business as usual for the high flying Eels. This week the women take on western rivals Penrith, while the men host Canberra. The SG Ball clash promises to be a ripper with the winner set to finish round six at the top of the table.

2. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Combined record: 12-1-4

Round 4: 2-1-1

Last week’s rank: 2

The Fiaola and Tarsha sides extended their unbeaten start to the season with victories over Manly and should have little trouble this week against the Rabbitohs. Matts continue to chase a second win and will have their work cut out this weekend against a strong Central Coast at Woy Woy. Coming off a draw, Ball can climb into the top-four with a win over Balmain.

3. CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS

Combined record: 7-1

Round 4: 2-0

Last week’s rank: 5

There’s lots to like about the Central Coast after five rounds. With only one blemish between Matts and Fiaola, the Roosters are primed for finals action. The women should have little trouble against the Raiders this week, likewise the men who are expected to get the better of the 13th ranked Bulldogs.

4. ILLAWARRA STEELERS

Combined record: 12-5

Round 4: 2-2

Last week’s rank: 3

Defeats in Fiaola and SG Ball were a major surprise for the Steelers. Matts continued its winning streak and Gale showed their class, notching a big win over the Knights in a rematch of last year’s decider. This week, the women face stiff opposition against Cronulla, while the men will be expected to account for the Dragons in both grades.

5. WESTS TIGERS

Combined record: 7-3

Round 4: 2-0

Last week’s rank: 6

While Fiaola hammered the Dragons, it was a much closer affair in the under-19s. Both sides got the job done, and both can now reassess their run home during this weekend’s bye.

6. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Combined record: 12-8

Round 4: 3-1

Last week’s rank: 9

Newcastle showed what they’re capable of against strong opposition in round five. Matts and Ball downed the Roosters in thrillers, while the women shared the spoils against rivals Illawarra. This week, Fiaola and Gale should both get the better of St George, while the men will need to be on guard when they host Manly.

7. CRONULLA SHARKS

Combined record: 11-6

Round 4: 2-1

Last week’s rank: 7

Both under-19s outfits had big wins in round five. In a good weekend for Cronulla, the only loss came in Fiaola against Parra. This week Matts come off a bye against the Sydney Roosters, while a victory over the Tricolours should put Ball inside the top-six. The women will need to be at their best to collect the points against the Steelers in Wollongong.

8. BALMAIN TIGERS

Combined record: 6-4

Round 4: 0-2

Last week’s rank: 4

Not many predicted Balmain’s rapid resurgence in SG Ball, and following a perfect four rounds they certainly didn’t see them conceding more than 50 to Souths. It makes this weeks clash with Canterbury fascinating viewing. After going down to Central Coast, this week the under-17s have a bye.

9. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Combined record: 7-1-5

Round 4: 1-2

Last week’s rank: 8

After a couple of narrow defeats to Newcastle in the men’s, the Gale side scored a massive win over fierce rivals, Souths. With success against the Sharks this week, the men’s teams will be perfectly placed for a finals charge. In Gale, the fourth placed Roosters are expected to get the better of Canberra.

10. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Combined record: 8-9

Round 4: 1-3

Last week’s rank: 10

Harold Matts will be left to rue a late fadeout while SG Ball returned to its dominant best with a hammering of Balmain. The female teams face a tough ask against Canterbury, while they will fancy their chances to snatch the male double against North Sydney.

11. WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES

Combined record: 4-6

Round 4: 1-1

Last week’s rank: 11

Their teams are experiencing mixed fortunes as they put together another split round. SG Ball recorded its second smashing by downing Illawarra, and they need to keep winning if they are to advance, starting with the Warriors on Sunday.

12. PENRITH PANTHERS

Combined record: 8-12

Round 4: 2-2

Last week’s rank: 12

Another flawless week for their female teams while the boys were unable to get the spoils against rivals Parramatta. It’s now the Fiaola and Gale teams turn to take on the Eels in a pair of huge clashes with the male teams set to fly down to Melbourne.

13. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Combined record: 7-10

Round 4: 1-0

Last week’s rank: 13

The only green team in action was the SG Ball as they improved to 5-0. Their female teams face a challenge against the Roosters, while the game of the week in the U19s men sees them put their record on the line against the undefeated Eels.

14. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Combined record: 3-6

Round 3: 1-1

Last week’s rank: 14

In a similar story for their season it was a win for the U17s while the U19s couldn’t get the job done. Have to travel to Sydney for a challenging set of games against Wests as they look to remain in the U17s hunt.

15. MELBOURNE STORM

Combined record: 3-7

Round 4: 1-1

Last week’s rank: 17

Their push for the SG Ball finals is well and truly on after accounting for the Warriors in New Zealand. They will fancy their chances of holding their spot in the top-six when they host Penrith, while they can get their first win in Harold Matts.

16. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Combined record: 4-13

Round 4: 1-3

Last week’s rank: 16

Their great hope remains the U17s boys as they once again were the only Sea Eagles team to come away with a win. They’re flying at the moment and will look to continue that on the road to Newcastle, while the female pathways teams host North Sydney.

17. ST GEORGE DRAGONS

Combined record: 4-1-14

Round 4: 1-1-2

Last week’s rank: 18

A better outing for the Dragons with the Harold Matts securing a win, the SG Ball taking a point from Canterbury and Tarsha Gale. Their male teams are gearing up for a big weekend down in Wollongong against joint-venture rivals Illawarra.

18. NORTH SYDNEY BEARS

Combined record: 3-14

Round 4: 0-3

Last week’s rank: 15

Another challenging week with no teams able to record a success. Harold Matts are back in action in a must-win clash with South Sydney, with the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale sides a live chance against winless Manly teams.