NRL power rankings at the end of July: Who’s hot and who’s not

The past month of NRL footy has been full of winning and losing streaks as the contenders and pretenders become clearer. Here’s our take on what the pecking order really looks like, based on teams’ current form, situation and expectations.

THE past month of NRL footy has been full of winning and losing streaks as the contenders and pretenders become clearer.

There’s still plenty to play for though, with seventh to 13th separated by just two games.

Here’s our take on what the pecking order really looks like, based on teams’ current form, situation and expectations.

1. Melbourne

NRL ladder: 1st

June ranking: 1st

Even after a home loss, the Storm remain two games clear at the top of the table as a result of their nine-match winning run.

The last time they lost, they buried Parramatta 64-10 the following week. How they respond against the Broncos this time around should be a telling sign of what you can expect to follow.

2. Manly

NRL ladder: 5th

June ranking: 4th

Second might seem a tad generous for a team that has lost two of its past three but that’s what happens when you deliver the kind of performance they summoned in Melbourne at last start.

Driven by Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and the once-again masterful coaching of Des Hasler, the Sea Eagles are the real deal.

Manly head coach Des Hasler cracks a smile. Picture: AAP Image

3. Penrith

NRL ladder: 7th

June ranking: 5th

OK, Ivan Cleary’s side’s winning streak was brought to a halt at the weekend but FINALLY we are seeing their talented roster show what they are capable of.

Should cement their place in the play-offs with five of their remaining six fixtures against teams ranked lower than them.

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4. Canberra

NRL ladder: 4th

J une ranking: 3rd

The Green Machine were dealt a generous fixture through the middle part of the year and they capitalised to put themselves in a share of third place.

Now they need to keep that momentum rolling as this testing period awaits: Warriors (away), Roosters (home), Storm (away), Sea Eagles (home).

5. Sydney

NRL ladder: 3rd

June ranking: 6th

Flexed their muscles by running away with a 48-10 game against the Knights but are yet to get on a run through the second half of the season.

They underwhelmed similarly during 2018 and went on to win the title so don’t be surprised to see them peak at the right time again here.

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6. South Sydney

NRL ladder: 2nd

June ranking: 7th

From four consecutive defeats to three successive victories, the Rabbitohs are somewhat back on track.

Each of those wins have been ugly, however. Can they get back to the supreme level they showed earlier this year?

Dane Gagai of the Rabbitohs celebrates after scoring a try. Picture: AAP Image

7. New Zealand

NRL ladder: 12th

June ranking: 9th

Kudos to these guys. They are breaking the club’s traditional reputation of being flaky by competing hard week in, week out (their last six games have all been decided by four or less points).

They must start winning at home if they are to make the finals and what better way to make a statement than by hosting finals-bound Canberra and Manly in the coming rounds.

8. Brisbane

NRL ladder: 8th

June ranking: 12th

Are plodding along but in the grand scheme of things, even a week one finals loss would represent a decent season for the rebuilding Broncos and they’ve put themselves in with a good chance of that.

This Friday’s home match against Melbourne, who will be fired up to rebound from a loss, will be a fair test of where they’re at.

9. Parramatta

NRL ladder: 6th

June ranking: 11th

The Eels just don’t seem like a sixth-place team to me but I guess that’s a credit to what they are doing to fly under the radar.

They can even push for a top four spot now given their next four fixtures are against out-of-form quartet St George Illawarra, Newcastle, Gold Coast and Canterbury.

10. Wests Tigers

NRL ladder: 11th

June ranking: 13th

The Tigers have been proof of what a really solid coach can bring to your NRL program.

By no means do the joint venture club have a world-beating roster but they are hanging tough and holding their own under Michael Maguire.

11. Cronulla

NRL ladder: 10th

June ranking: 8th

Last round marked the Sharks’ first win since June 8 but things aren’t going quite as bad as that might sound.

Bronson Xerri makes a break against the Cowboys. Picture: AAP Image

Three losses in that time were by two points, another was by a field goal. They are still close enough to the eight to feature in September if they can get their goal-kicking and game management right.

12. Canterbury

NRL ladder: 15th

June ranking: 16th

The Doggies keep doing just enough to keep their fans semi-interested. There still isn’t an abundance of talent in this squad but they do seem to possess the typical Canterbury ticker.

It has helped them grind out wins against both the Sharks and Knights in their past four starts, while they also put in a respectable display against the Roosters. Might dodge the wooden spoon at this rate.

13. Newcastle

NRL ladder: 9th

June ranking: 2nd

The Knights should be running out onto the field to the tune of Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold in 2019. Having lost five straight early on, they then won six straight to look like real contenders.

The wheels have fallen off again since, losing their past four – three of which to teams outside the top eight. Still have the potential to be a threat but need to rediscover their groove ASAP.

14. North Queensland

NRL ladder: 13th

June ranking: 10th

The Cowboys haven’t played like a finals team this year and their recent form could come back to haunt them when the top eight sorts itself out.

While competitive of late, North Queensland have won just one of their past six to freefall back down the ladder.

Michael Gordon of the Titans reacts after being sin binned against the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image

15. St George Illawarra

NRL ladder: 14th

June ranking: 15th

Not to follow the trend of blaming coaches, but I’ll say it again: Paul McGregor must be thanking his lucky stars that he locked in his future through to the end of 2021 when he did.

The Dragons did give South Sydney a major scare last weekend but they have still lost four on the trot and the cold, hard facts are that they will miss the play-offs for the sixth time since 2012.

The only really good news is that Gareth Widdop is back on the paddock.

16. Gold Coast

NRL ladder: 16th

June ranking: 14th

With six rounds to go, the Titans are in a mess. They’ve lost five straight and the past four defeats have all been by a margin of 18 points or more.

Garth Brennan has been sacked, meaning another rebuild is on the cards, and for all the effort interim coach Craig Hodges has put into re-energising things, the Titans have still looked like pushovers in defence.

Two upcoming games against the Dragons seem their best hope of avoiding the wooden spoon.