NRL power rankings: Where every club deserves to be on the ladder
Here’s how we think the NRL ladder deserves to be right now, based on teams’ current form, situation and expectations.
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OK, we might have jumped the gun here given that the Eels and Tigers are still to play in Round 6 but we just couldn’t wait any longer to get our latest edition of NRL power rankings out there.
Here’s how we think the ladder deserves to be right now, based on teams’ current form, situation and expectations.
HOW OUR NRL POWER RANKINGS LOOKED IN MARCH
1. Canberra
NRL ladder: 3rd
March ranking: 6th
Wow. You have an underwhelming 2018, lose Shannon Boyd, Junior Paulo and Blake Austin and suddenly emerge as a frontrunner? The Green Machine are on fire and it comes down to playing smart footy.
2. Sydney
NRL ladder: 2nd
March ranking: 14th
The sleeping giant has awoken! The tri-colours are starting to play the kind of footy their star-studded roster is capable of.
3. Melbourne
NRL ladder: 1st
March ranking: 1st
Like the Warriors, this mob never changes. They lost to the Roosters on Friday night but are looking the goods.
4. St George Illawarra
NRL ladder: 5th
March ranking: 13th
Yes, I know we shouldn’t pay too much attention to the Dragons’ ladder position during the first half of the season but for a side who looked damn ordinary early on and lost key man Gareth Widdop, credit where it’s due.
5. Manly
NRL ladder: 7th
March ranking: 11th
Where has this come from? Even without brilliant fullback Tom Trbojevic, the Sea Eagles have been punching above their weight and came within a whisker of four straight wins.
6. South Sydney
NRL ladder: 4th
March ranking: 2nd
Are still flying high but the Rabbitohs have been made to work a heck of a lot harder recently for their wins.
7. Wests Tigers
NRL ladder: 6th
March ranking: 5th
Are starting to drift back to the pack a bit but you have to give them credit for that win at Suncorp Stadium last round.
TITANS: WHO’S STARRING AND WHO NEEDS TO LIFT
8. Gold Coast
NRL ladder: 11th
March ranking: 16th
Now we’re starting to see a bit more of that finals-worthy side we were expecting. The good news? They’re winning without Ash Taylor being anywhere near his best yet. The bad news? They will likely have to soldier on without Ryan James for the rest of the year.
9. Cronulla
NRL ladder: 8th
March ranking: 4th
They have unearthed an exciting talent in Bronson Xerri but you can’t look past the fact the team have appeared a lot less convincing in the last few rounds.
10. Parramatta
NRL ladder: 9th
March ranking: 3rd
Started well but have been found out against some of the competition’s better sides lately, being well beaten by the Raiders and Roosters. Still look a million times better than last year.
11. New Zealand
NRL ladder: 10th
March ranking: 10th
Nothing ever changes here. After a home loss to the struggling Cowboys, they are only ranked this high because of how bad the teams below are going.
12. Canterbury
NRL ladder: 16th
March ranking: 15th
The Doggies are dead last with a 1-5 record and a -86 differential but their last four weeks – the Dragons loss aside – should have given hope to their fans. Pushing the Storm to the brink in Melbourne was especially impressive.
13. North Queensland
NRL ladder: 13th
March ranking: 12th
A win in New Zealand bumps them up a couple of places. Still can’t believe they lost three in a row in Townsville. Please hurry back, Jason Taumalolo.
14. Brisbane
NRL ladder: 14th
March ranking: 8th
It was always going to take time for emerging supercoach Anthony Seibold to make his mark. Broncos fans, don’t fret: A premiership might not be coming this year but 2020 will be better.
15. Penrith
NRL ladder: 12th
March ranking: 7th
They did pluck a victory out of thin air against the Tigers but these guys are making an art out of losing. Bring on the customary Panthers late-season charge.
16. Newcastle
NRL ladder: 15th
March ranking: 9th
What a disaster. After a long rebuild, this was the year the Knights were supposed to reap the rewards. Instead, they have lost five straight and looked dreadful against the Titans.