Round 8 of the 2015 NRL season is completed and the updated Power Rankings are in! Who has been the most surprising and who has been the most disappointing so far?
1. Dragons ( Last week: 1)
People are waiting for the Dragons to fall away. Most of those expected the Anzac day clash with the Roosters to be the start of said down fall. The Dragons simply won’t give detractors any satisfaction. Incredibly they have now won six games in a row. The circumstances, and emotion, of last Saturday’s fixture could have mentally affected many sides, however not this Dragons side. It’s a shame all of the post-match media was focused on one incident instead of a brilliant game of footy on a special day.
2. Broncos (3)
Following last week’s loss to the Dragons, the Broncos have bounced back with a handy victory over the Eels. It wasn’t their best win of the season, however it never truly looked in doubt. The Broncos only losses this season are a two-point loss last weekend, and an opening round loss. Those who have watched league over the years will likely agree that the first round is often a lottery. Wayne Bennett has them firing. A trip to Townsville aside, their next five fixtures look favourable.
3. Cowboys (6)
Here come the Cowboys. A fifth straight victory sees the side many had written off has those same people re-evaluating. Whereas in previous weeks, where the Cowboys had been flying, this was a battle and could have gone either way. The fact the Cowboys could win a close game, away from home, despite being below par, is a very positive sign. They have a large representation in the international weekend and will be holding their breathe that no injuries are suffered. The fact they have three away wins from four trips this season shows things are good up North.
4. Storm (2)
The Storm suffered their equal largest loss of the season, a two-point loss to the Manly Sea Eagles. A two-point loss to a side who has been dominant over many years is not a huge problem, however they remain the only side to lose to Manly this season. The rivalry between these two sides means form is out the window for most contests, however a loss at home will hurt. Next up is Parramatta. If they get through the international weekend unscathed, they should be in good shape to find themselves back in the winner’s bracket.
5. Titans (13)
This week’s HUGE movers, the Titans have now strung three straight wins together. I fully admit I was not a believer in this side, even last week. Two wins indicated that yeah they were competitive, but to beat the Warriors in their own backyard, shows they are more than just fighting to avoid the spoon. Sitting seventh on the NRL competition ladder right now is a huge win for a side not expected to worry too many sides this season. Kane Elgey’s re-signing is a huge plus for the club going forward.
6. Panthers (9)
The Panthers continue to bounce around the Zero Tackle rankings, much like the NRL ladder. Their latest win is arguably their best, being that they were so under strength. To miss three of their four starting ‘spine’ and still outplay a side who had recently beaten the likes of the Bunnies and the Roosters, is no joke. The international break comes at a good time for the Panthers who are looking to get more of their players back in the coming weeks. The fact they’ve managed to limit the damage despite a huge injury toll placed them well.
7. Rabbitohs (4)
I actually looked at dropping the Bunnies further on the back of their fourth loss in five games, and a next up loss to the Dragons would see them tumble, but to be honest the Bunnies are about the middle of the table right now. Since they lost their superstar halfback they have struggled massively, but you’d imagine when he returns, they’ll be a force again. Four wins and four losses, they sit sixth on the NRL ladder. That position sums up their season thus far. They’re two wins from the top of the table, two losses from the bottom. Better days ahead.
8. Knights (7)
The Knights are another side who have fallen into mid table obscurity after flying high to start their season. Four straight wins followed by four straight losses puts them in the same category as the Rabbits. They had their chances to beat the red hot Cowboys but couldn’t convert. There are more than a few players underperforming. Rick Stone really needs to settle on his 1, 6, 7 and 9 as it’s currently unsettled. Sione Mata’utia surely needs to be there somewhere.
9. Tigers (14)
The Tigers responded from their disappointing losses to the Warriors and the Raiders with a huge victory over the Bulldogs. The start of the contest was eerily similar to that between the two sides weeks early, only this time the Tigers went on with the job, and ended up putting the Dogs to the sword. Will we learn a lot about this young Tigers side over the coming weeks as they face the Roosters, Knights and Cowboys. On their day, this side is very, very good.
10. Bulldogs (5)
The Bulldogs are another side who continue to trade wins and losses. Their latest loss to the Tigers was a comprehensive one, and it looked like the Dogs were simply waiting for the return of the likes of Graham and the Morris twins. I’m sure it was not the case, but they did not look up to the task in a very winnable game. The fact they were sent out to re-warm up at halftime showed that something was not right. It’s hardly the end of the world at Belmore, but it was not a good look. They really need either, or preferably both, of their halves to find form, and quickly.
11. Raiders (12)
I fully admit that the Raiders should probably be higher than 11, based on current form, but even in victory they don’t look shaky. They finished off a battered South Sydney side in neutral territory, and if that form continues, then they’re set for a successful season. Although they’ve put together two straight 30-22 victories away from home, they hardly put in a real 80 minute performance in either victory. There is a lot to like about this Raiders side, and on the day they do fire for 80 minutes, it’s going to be a lot of fun for fans of the Green Machine.
12. Sharks (8)
The Sharks have recently beaten the Bunnies and the Roosters in backs-to-the-wall, against all odds victories. Sandwiched in between was a solid win over the Knights. Yet when they come into a game favourites, against a side missing the majority of their first-choice ‘spine’, they couldn’t get the job done. The Sharks are possibly the worst ‘favourites’ in recent NRL history. They only seem to really stand up when the world is against them. There’s an obvious mental hurdle that needs to be overcome, as the quality of football over the past month has been high.
13. Warriors (11)
I’m not a Warriors fan, but I can really understand the frustrations of their fans. Their talent roster suggests they should be at least 4-4 rather than 3-5 as we head into the rep weekend. They have a habit of looking like both world beaters and strugglers within the same 80 minute game. Plenty of coaches have gone grey trying to work out the formula, and it looks like yet another frustrating season for those across the Tasman. Warrior fans will be hoping that a Kiwi jersey will spark Shaun Johnson.
14. Roosters (10)
Incredibly the Premiership favourite Roosters have now lost four straight games. Their latest was albeit a close loss to the in-form Dragons, but a losing streak like this would not have been predicted by too many pre-season. The Roosters stars just simply aren’t performing, whilst also not being overly bad. The saving grace is that their three most recent losses were by two, one and four points.
15. Eels (15)
Although three wins in the first eight games doesn’t necessarily consign the Eels to missing the finals, it’s fair to say that they would be expecting better. They looked to have found form, winning away to Newcastle, but they couldn’t bring that form into their trip to Brisbane. Anthony Watmough was brought in to lift the forward pack, but unfortunately thus far has failed to justify the hype. The Eels players, who in their day can rip a side to shreds, but they just can’t seem to put it all together. Still early, but Hopoate, Sandow and co. need to fire.
16. Sea Eagles (16)
A brave and hard fought victory against the Storm, incredibly for the second time this season, was a shot of confidence for those at Brookvale, but wasn’t enough to lift them off the bottom of the table, or rankings. They’re yet to have DCE, Foran, Matai and Lyon on the park at the same time this season, and that will continue after Matai’s suspension, and the continued injury problems suffered by Lyon. Another side missing a lot of cattle, especially up front, but it’s hard to write them off just yet, despite their horrible start to the season.
