NRL 2021: Paul Crawley’s early season report card on every team

They currently lie in seventh, but with the second coming of Billy Slater and the return of Harry Grant, Melbourne won’t be down for too long. Paul Crawley rates every team so far.

The Bulldogs have had a horror start to the season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The NRL season is only four rounds old but there is a clear gap between the top sides and the bottom sides.

Paul Crawley has run the rule over every club and rated them on their early season form. It’s not pretty reading for some, while there have been a few surprises.

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BRONCOS: D-

More proof you should always be careful what you wish for. Poor Kevvie Walters always dreamt of this job but what a mess he’s been left to mop up. Broncos fans can only thank their lucky stars the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Cowboys are just ahead of them in race for the wooden spoon.

Kevvie Walters has had a tough start in charge of his beloved Broncos.

RAIDERS: A

Can’t help but admire the grit and passion of Ricky Stuart’s Raiders. Have won three from four with their only loss against the Warriors, when they were down to 14 for almost three quarters of the match. A genuine contender and will only get better as Josh Hodgson gets more games under his belt.

BULLDOGS: E

I expected the Dogs to at least score some points under Trent Barrett given he was in charge of the Panthers’ attack last season, but so far it’s all been completely underwhelming. Not that I blame the new coach or even the players, it’s just further confirmation of the massive hole this club has got itself in.

The Bulldogs have failed to score a point in three of their first four games this season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

SHARKS: B

Those at Cronulla spreading this message John Morris can’t attract top players might want to remember it wasn’t the young coach who put this squad together with a salary cap that is completely bent out of shape. The fact so many players, senior and junior, are showing so much improvement tells me Morris can coach.

TITANS: B-

A team on the way up under Justin Holbrook, and what a buy Tino Fa’asuamaleaui promises to be. But as strong as David Fifita has been so far, I’d love to see the Titans halves find a way to get him some better opportunities, similar to what the Panthers do for Viliame Kikau. Against the Raiders last round Fifita was just wasted.

SEA EAGLES: F

Yes, Tom Trbojevic has been a massive loss but Manly isn’t the only team down on numbers. Yet they not only look tired but are so hopelessly out of form they just have lost all confidence. It’s actually sad seeing a player as passionate as Jake Trbojevic struggling like he is, and to think Daly Cherry-Evans is the game’s highest paid player.

STORM: B+

Craig Bellamy was spot on when he said James Tedesco has been the best fullback but Ryan Papenhuzen is closing the gap. I didn’t think we’d ever see a fullback as great as Billy Slater again, now we’ve got two more who could potentially finish in the conversation. And wait until Harry Grant strings some games together, the Storm will take some beating even without Cameron Smith.

Ryan Papenhuyzen is closing the gap on James Tedesco with his early season form. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

KNIGHTS: D

Have been smashed by injury and losing Mitchell Pearce for 10-14 weeks will probably be the knockout blow for this season. At least Kalyn Ponga is back and Blake Green’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. I still think dropping winnable games like they did the last two rounds against the Tigers and Dragons will ultimately cost them a top eight spot.

COWBOYS: F

After what Todd Payten did with the Warriors last year I had high hopes for the Cowboys. But this has been an absolute train wreck so far. Four games, no wins, and they just don’t seem to be playing with any heart. There is also all this talk of player unrest. It is hard to comprehend just how far this club has sunk in a few short years.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has plenty of work to do to turn North Queensland’s fortunes around. Picture: Alix Sweeney

EELS: A

Four from four and the win against Melbourne was the toughest I’ve seen from any Parramatta team in years. Also, how they recovered from a late lapse to put the Tigers to bed was important. It’s a sign of a quality team when they win the games they’re expected to. And who would have imagined Reed Mahoney would be leading Dally Ms?

PANTHERS: A+

I’m not having a crack at Cooper Cronk because I was on the same page, thinking that the young Panthers might struggle to match the same intensity as last year. But if anything they’ve gone to another level, and beating Melbourne without Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau, as well as losing Dylan Edwards to injury, was the sign of a very special team.

The Panthers are winning games even without Nathan Cleary, which shows they are a special team. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

RABBITOHS: B

A bit of a rollercoaster so far. Disappointing against Melbourne, super impressive against the Roosters, tough and committed against Manly, danger signs against the Bulldogs. I say that because talent won’t beat Souths this year, but poor discipline can. And Cody Walker needs to learn as good as he is, carrying on like a mug to get suspended is not just letting himself down.

DRAGONS: A

Since the Charity Shield the Dragons have gone up a level with every performance, culminating in a really gutsy win against Newcastle. And for all the sob stories we hear about other teams missing star players, the Dragons are doing it without Ben Hunt, Jack de Belin, Cameron McInnes and last round Jack Bird. That’s almost $3m of their salary cap.

Tariq Sims is back to his best at the Dragons this season. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

ROOSTERS: A

Toughest injury toll of any team yet sit third on the ladder. I don’t think they can win the comp without Luke Keary on top of Jake Friend’s retirement, but young Sam Walker gives great hope — and he has enough weapons around him for Roosters fans not to throw in the towel.

WARRIORS: C-

Inspirational one week, disappointing the next. This team plays like a broken record, year after year. Have showed that they can be top eight contenders but coach Nathan Brown summed it up well after last week’s loss to the Roosters when he said, “we’ve got a way to go to catch up” with the top teams.

WESTS TIGERS: D

Have showed some signs of improvement after a disappointing start, but they just let in too many soft tries and don’t play with enough consistency throughout the 80 minutes. I can’t see them finishing right down the bottom but I reckon their record of having not played finals since 2011 is unfortunately safe.