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.

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.

Raiders players celebrate a try against the Broncos on Sunday. Picture: AAP Image

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.

The way Manly are playing, they will be a force when Tom Trbojevic is back on deck. Picture: Getty Images

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.

Titans fans have had more to cheer about of late. Picture: AAP Image

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.

Lachlan Lewis is a player the Bulldogs can build their future around. Picture: Getty Images

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.