This was published 6 years ago
NRL power rankings: Storm go top, Cowboys hit rock bottom
By Matt Bungard
1. Melbourne Storm (Last Week: 2): A gritty win in New Zealand and the Storm have quietly made their way to the top of the ladder.
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs (1): Their impressive winning streak finally came to an end but should be able to bounce back against the Eels.
Run it straight: Suliasi Vunivalu is challenged by Solomone Kata.Credit: AAP
3. Sydney Roosters (5): A huge win at Brookvale will do wonders for the confidence of a team that so often has trouble putting away lesser opponents.
4. Cronulla Sharks (4): Benefitted from a few calls, but really should have had the game against Canberra out of sight in the first half.
5. St George Illawarra Dragons (6): Back in the winner's circle after a professional performance against the hapless Cowboys. Big game this Sunday against the Roosters.
6. Brisbane Broncos (8): Bounced back from a flogging to hand out one of their own, racking up a half-century on the Panthers.
7. Penrith Panthers (3): The world looked rosy after that big win over the Warriors, but since then they've had two comprehensive losses.
8. New Zealand Warriors (7): Beaten at home in a close game and are now nervously looking over their shoulder at a couple of teams.
9. Wests Tigers (10): Added the Bunnies to their list of high-profile scalps (Storm, Roosters, Dragons) this season, but have lost to the Eels, Knights and Titans. I can't work this team out.
10. Canberra Raiders (9): A few brutal officiating mistakes may have cost them the result, and the finals are drifting away from Ricky Stuart's men.
11. Newcastle Knights (12): Gutsy come from behind win at home, and you have to wonder where they'd be if Mitchell Pearce had played all year.
12. Gold Coast Titans (13): Shot out to a big lead against Newcastle before being run down in what will go down as a very disappointing loss.
13. Manly Sea Eagles (11): Another heavy beating at home, and fans on the northern beaches can't wait for the season to end.
14. Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs (14): Lost the 'Spoon Bowl' to the Eels and are now only off the bottom via points differential.
15. Parramatta Eels (16): Grabbed a much-needed win over their rivals, but will need a couple more to avoid finishing last.
16. North Queensland Cowboys (15): Smashed at home again. Is this the most surprisingly bad team ever? Everyone thought they'd be challenging for the premiership.