What a weekend of Rugby League!!! I may say this every week but this game never ceases to amaze and certainly never lets us down.
Controversy alert: The form team of the competition will not headline our power rankings this week. Find out why below.
1. Rabbitohs (Last Week: 1)
The South Sydney Rabbitohs did JUST enough to defeat the desperate Cowboys and thus hold onto the top spot in the weekly power rankings. A literal last-second penalty goal to Adam Reynolds sealed victory in a game that could have gone either way. Souths were ok, not great, but they won. That's a sign of a good side. The game finished two tries each with the aforementioned penalty goal the difference. Damien Cook is the form number nine of the competition. George Burgess has turned back the clock.
2. Dragons (Last Week: 2)
The Dragons are back in the winners circle after last week's slip and are setting the pace for the rest of the competition. The game ended three tries each but Gareth Widdop's boot was the difference in terms of both penalties and the match confirming field goal. Cam McInnes continues to push for an Origin claim and set up a wow of a try. Matt Dufty is an absolute excitement machine and a joy to watch. Paul Vaughan will be the first forward packed for either Origin side in two weeks time. Ben Hunt has surely done enough for Queensland duties.
3. Sharks (Last Week: 6)
The Sharks are now THE form team of the competition having put together five wins in a row. In any other instance they would be clear leaders in the power rankings but they continue to win in an ugly, ugly way. Not once during the win streak have Sharks fans had a chance to enjoy the victory as they've been holding their breathe until the very end. Some troops returned this week and Matt Moylan is starting to show some serious signs, but overall the Sharks are still way under the radar.
4. Panthers (Last Week: 4)
The Panthers set up a mouthwatering, top of the table clash with the Dragons next weekend with their win over the Tigers. It was not the most entertaining game of all time but the Panthers can be very happy with the two competition points while keeping the Tigers to just a penalty goal. DWZ made a mountain of 250+ metres on the back of a dominant forward pack. Nathan Cleary's return was uplifting for both club and state, with the Panthers' halves surely now the favourites to occupy the sky blue jerseys.
5. Warriors (Last Week: 5)
The Warriors recorded a very handy win on Friday evening with a 24-14 win over the Eels. They managed to take two points away from home without their first choice halfback and fullback. The Warriors just keep rolling on and it was this week largely due to their Hiku/Fus combination out wide. Tohu Harris is not human such is the effort he continues to put in. The Warriors are the surprise packet of the opening 11 weeks and it has been a joy to watch.
6. Broncos (Last Week: 9)
James Roberts! Oh my, James Roberts! What a try. The Broncos speedster has surely put his name up in lights at the best possible time after an incredible performance including one of the best tries you will see. Jamayne Isaako's match-winning play wasn't too shabby either. The Broncs won a huge game despite being undermanned and will be very, very happy as a result. After dropping a mare of a result to Manly they bounced back in exciting fashion. Tevita Pangai Junior was a monster while Andrew McCullough looks set for an Origin run.
7. Storm (Last Week: 3)
Well, this game will be the talk of the town for a while. Curtis Scott set social media alight with his brain snap that lead to a send-off. The debate will continue for weeks about the circumstances but ultimately the Storm were second best at home to a side struggling until last week. 23 completions from 36 sets of six sums it all up. That is far more telling than the Scott send-off in this result. They missed Cam Smith is a huge way.
8. Roosters (Last Week: 7)
The Roosters will be filthy after dropping a game they were expected to win. The tri-colours just can't find that run of wins we have been expecting them to find. Last week they were simply glorious, this week they let themselves down late. Latrell Mitchell is a mega star and I am an unashamed fan. Tedesco ran for plenty of metres which is a great sign. 71% completion rate is not ideal though. That Napa clash will have people talking for many weeks.
9. Tigers (Last Week: 8)
The Tigers were a long way from their attacking best against the Panthers, failing to cross the line despite plenty of chances. To be honest the Tigers were pretty dire and really lacked that X factor after dropping Mahe Fonua to reserve grade after turning up late to training. Josh Reynolds is in the frame to return to next week and for mine should play a big part moving forward. I'm a huge fan of Elijah Taylor but not as a number nine. Michael Chee-Kam was great after coming in late.
10. Sea Eagles (Last Week: 13)
Manly, over two weeks, have beaten the Broncos and Storm, away from home. That is an incredible turn around for a side that looked like it was already looking toward 2019 and beyond. Tommy Turbo was back to his frightening best. That said, the talk will revolve around Dylan Walker and his baiting of Curtis Scott. It probably won them the game but will cost him six weeks. Trent Hodkinson looked ok on debut. To hold the Storm try-less at AAMI Park is something Trent Barrett can really build the season on.
11. Raiders (Last Week: 10)
If not for a few moments of madness the Raiders would be back in the winner's circle right now. Ultimately they were outclassed by the league-leading Dragons but they made it hard for themselves. Joseph Tapine's crazy shoulder charge surrendered their likely halftime lead while Jordan Rapana's running of a Dragons attacker off the ball when Jack Wighton had it covered completely changed the game. Ricky Stuart will be looking for answers and I would not want to be wearing green this morning. That Rapana try was incredible though.
12. Knights (Last Week: 11)
This one will hurt. Kalyn Ponga, and for what it is worth, the rest of the Knights side, just couldn't run down the woefully out of form Titans. I make that comment in jest but it is becoming a one-man show all too quickly for those on the Hunter. Let's talk about Ponga though. 210 metres, two line breaks, and one of the tries of the season. Unfortunately the Knights lack direction in the absence of their star number seven.
13. Titans (Last Week: 16)
The Titans are back after a few horror weeks. Alexander Brimson had a brilliant game and scored the match-winner late on. Ash Taylor iced it in a very level headed performance. Jai Arrow lead the way in terms of tackles and metres and looks set for a maroon jumper. This should be a real turning point in the season for the Titans and was just the win the club needed.
14. Bulldogs (Last Week: 12)
The Dogs were in the fight in the Shire right up until the final set of the game. Unfortunately a few silly errors let them down but ultimately they can be proud of their efforts. That said, if Kieran Foran holds the ball or Moses Mbye kicks those conversions, they could be celebrating this morning. David Klemmer ran for a monsterous 256 metres. The Morris boys combined for three tries in a game that turned back the clock. Foran is starting to come good which is a great sign.
15. Cowboys (Last Week: 14)
It was a case of oh so close for the Cowboys on Saturday evening. They lead until the final siren but a penalty just seconds before the final bell gifted the Bunnies victory. The Cowboys played a strange game, taking the two points multiple times despite it not making a whole lot of sense. Antonio Winterstein scored a double and looked to have it won until the final moments. The Cowboys really came into the game when Jason Taumalolo started to dominate the middle. That is no coincidence.
16. Eels (Last Week: 15)
Season over for the Eels. Unfortunately this Parramatta side looks like a shell of its former self. They hosted a Warriors side sans Shaun Johnson and RTS yet still couldn't get the job done. With their season on the line no less. I suppose they were in it until the last ten minutes but it's still a loss they could not afford. Clint Gutherson busted his backside to make up for his error last weekend but simply did not have the support.
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