NRL Season Review: Part 3

At the halfway point of the competition, we're going to take moment to run the rule over each team and rate their performance thus far. The below gradings are based mainly on results vs expectation but other factors were considered. Please feel free to let us know if we got it right, or where we have it wrong. Check out the first 8 teams here! Newcastle Knights The Knights started the season looking a far different club than the side who captured back to back to back wooden spoons. Unfortunately they have struggled after the injury to Mitchael Pearce but ultimately I think they'll be more happy than not. Kalyn Ponga is the undoubted emerging superstar of the competition and isn't far off an Origin debut. Watson has returned from injury and is looking a genuine footballer. The Knights still have their struggles but they're a genuine finals threat. Those are words we have not heard about the men from the Hunter for many years. Positive start but they need to put some wins together and soon or else it will be yet another early Mad Monday. Grading: C+ [caption id="attachment_33671" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Kalyn Ponga of the Knights in action during the round 13 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] North Queensland Cowboys What is going on up north? The Cowboys, for mine, have been the most disappointing side across the competition. They certainly haven't been the worst side, but this is a side who went from Grand Finalists to cellar dwellers over one off-season. The side is even stronger than that who swept all not wearing purple aside last year. Thurston and Scott have returned but are a far cry from the players that have dominated for the last decade. Ben Hampton has played multiple different positions while Coote has been dropped to enable Michael Morgan's move to fullback. It's an unsettled line up due to a drop in form. Jason Taumalolo had a world beating game against Manly but has been well down on his usual form. The Cowboys are six points outside the eight and although you'd be brave to write them off, it certainly is a tall order. Grading: F [caption id="attachment_33452" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Matthew Scott of the Cowboys looks on during the round four NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium on March 29, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Parramatta Eels Like the Cowboys, the Eels were pre-season favourites and should really be challenging for the top four. In reality, they will be lucky to avoid a wooden spoon. This despite having a stacked roster and a coach who has a brilliant resume. Moses and Norman have been shadows of their 2017 selves, Clint Gutherson is being bounced around and can't seem to find his groove. Bevan French was a superstar last season but is a fringe reserve grader. The forwards are being monstered in almost every contest. Jarryd Hayne has provided nothing more than the odd distraction. Words really can't sum up the horror that has been the Eels 2018. Almost no chance of finals while jobs look to be in huge danger. Incredible. Grading: F [caption id="attachment_33620" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] during the round 13 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Sydney, Australia.[/caption] Penrith Panthers The feeling at the foot of the mountains prior to 2018's kick off was one of great excitement. Despite the huge expectations the Panthers have justified their hype and then some. Lead by their all star, Origin rep, halves the Panthers have been one of the competition's marquee sides. RCG, CHN, Merrin and co are busting opposition's defences and allowing the Panthers outside backs to run riot. Maloney has been one of the top two or three signings of the season thus far and has really unlocked other players in the side. Tyrone Peachey has gone from handy player to genuine superstar. Brilliant season. Arguably the title favourites. Grading: A [caption id="attachment_33393" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Reagan Campbell-Gillard of the Panthers and team mates huddle prior to the round 11 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Wests Tigers at Panthers Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] South Sydney Rabbitohs If Penrith or the Warriors haven't been the game's biggest surprise then it has certainly been the red and green. The difference an off-season has made for the Bunnies has been incredible. The Burgess brothers are absolute monsters once again while Greg Inglis looks 23 again. Cody Walker is one of the game's most exciting players. He and Adam Reynolds have played some amazing footy. Angus Crichton is the best young forward in the game and has a huge rep career ahead of him. John Sutton has turned back the clock. Damien Cook is the form player of the competition and my absolute favourite player to watch. His efforts in Origin one sum up his 2018 season; incredible. There simply isn't a weakness in this side, which compared to last season is unrecognisable. Grading: A+ [caption id="attachment_33788" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs celebrates victory with team mates at the end of the round 13 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium on June 1, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] St George Illawarra Dragons For the opening two months, the Dragons set the pace for the entire competition. They're certainly still in the top three sides although haven't quite had the same aura about them in the past few weeks. The Red V's big men have been second to none all season. James Graham's signing has inspired both himself and his teammates. Paul Vaughan was an Origin certainty after a huge 2018 to date. Tyson Frizell is arguably the best back rower in the comp. Tariq Sims looks reborn while Jack de Belin is the form lock of the competition. Leeson Ah Mau has been huge off the bench but look set to move into a starting role at another club. Euan Aitken was hard done by to miss rep selection. Matt Dufty is magic. Great side. They look like they'll avoid their annual fade out this season and be there come finals time. Grading: A+ [caption id="attachment_32764" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: James Graham of the Dragons and team mates stand to commemorate Anzac Day during the round eight NRL match between the St George Illawara Dragons and Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Roosters The Roosters, at times, look unbeatable. Yet just a week or two later they look like a side suited for a scrap for the eighth spot rather than heavy premiership favourites. James Tedesco has hit a purple patch of form but his early season was uninspiring. Cooper Cronk really hasn't found his place just yet and has been the lesser of the two halves. Keary has kept them in games far too often. The likes of Ferguson and co out wide are far too inconsistent for a side expected to lift the trophy. Latrell Mitchell continues his rapid rise as an NRL star and was among the Blues best in Origin One. Unfortunately, it has been up front where the Roosters have lost far too many battles. Napa, JWH and co just aren't getting the role on that many have expected. Grading: C+ [caption id="attachment_33378" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 12: Jake Friend of the Roosters passes the ball out during the round 10 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)[/caption] Wests Tigers The Tigers have enjoyed an incredible 2018 to date. They started the season when they shocked the Roosters on their opening day and their unexpected form continued. Benji Marshall started the season in peak form while Luke Brooks looks like a different player. Although they have come back to the field as of late, the Tigers are still a side with plenty to say when it comes to the finals. Their new look forward pack has far more aggression and skill than in years gone by. Corey Thompson and Mahe Fonua have added two weapons out wide. Nofoaluma has had his moments. Josh Reynolds recent return from injury has added another route of attack. The Tigers currently sit just outside the finals spots but the be honest they have played better than that. Grading: B+ [caption id="attachment_32129" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Luke Brooks of the Tigers celebrates a try in the dying stages during the round two NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park on March 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption]