SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Raiders fans celebrate winning the round 13 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Canberra Raiders at Bankwest Stadium on June 07, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
1. Knights (3)
After a slow start to the season, the Knights are now THE form team of the competition. Wins over the Eels, Warriors, Dogs, Dragons, Roosters and Bunnies has them sitting in fifth. A few on social media point to the injuries suffered by their opponents but the Knights are simply beating who is in front of them, and well. A late try slightly took the gloss off their 20-18 win on Friday night but the belief is certainly there in the fanbase.
2. Storm (2)
The Storm is unlucky not be the number one in the rankings after a huge win across the Tasman. The 32-10 win has them sitting top of the comp. If not for the red hot Knights, they'd be number one. 57% possession and a 92% completion rate shows they're going to be hard to beat with any sort of ball. Dale Finucane needs to be in the Origin discussion. Jahrome Hughes tore the hosts to shreds. I think we may have new title favourites.
3. Rabbitohs (1)
The Bunnies are still sitting pretty but have now suffered two straight losses. The 20-12 loss looks better on paper than it was thanks to a late Sam Burgess try but there isn't too much to worry about here. The Origin period was always going to be a big negative on a side with so many representatives. James Roberts scored on his club debut. The Bunnies certainly missed their star halves. The next few weeks may be tough but this side is set for huge things.
4. Raiders (5)
The Raiders absolutely did away with an awful Tigers side to the tune of 28-0 on Friday night. The five-try effort was brilliant to watch but the fact they kept a third team scoreless in 2019 says it all. This is a different side, a much better side. The entertainers were on full show on Friday on the back of a few brilliant tries. Ryan Sutton was a monster while Bailey Simonsson made almost 200 metres. This Raiders side is fun to watch and may have just entered the title race.
5. Sea Eagles (6)
Manly continue to defy all expectations by defeating the Cowboys on Saturday night. Cade Cust continues his rise by scoring the winner in Townsville. The 22-20 win was made even more impressive by the fact they kept the Cowboys scoreless in the second stanza. Martin Taupau made almost 200 metres against a monster pack. Tommy Turbo is already being measured up for his Blues jersey. Jake made 52 tackles just a few nights following a huge Origin effort.
6. Sharks (8)
The Sharks will be annoyed at conceding three late tries but will be otherwise over the moon with their 42-22 win over the Eels. Bronson Xerri has five tries in two games, as well as another 160 metres, two line breaks, two line break assists and a ridiculous 13 tackle breaks. Wade Graham turned that left-hand side into one of the most lethal edges upon his return from injury. That Flanagan try will make plenty of highlight reels after a brilliant move from Hamlin-Uele. Great win.
7. Roosters (4)
The Roosters are in a rut. Three straight losses and have the premiers looking very mortal. The 19-10 loss to the Panthers came in pretty dire circumstances but considering the cattle they had out, it's not a huge shock. The next few weeks will be tough for the tri-colours but they may gain Angus Chrichton who looks set for the Origin chop.
8. Cowboys (7)
The Cowboys will be filthy to let a 20-12 lead slip to the travelling Sea Eagles. Three first-half tries had the hosts looking set for an important win but it was not meant to be. This despite a huge effort by Jason Taumalolo who ran for over 300 metres. The Cowboys now sit 12th and need to put wins together to make a finals run. They're being linked with everyone right now but missed out on DWZ and even Moses Mbye.
9. Panthers (13)
The Panthers have now recorded three straight wins and have re-ignited their finals hopes in the process. Viliame Kikau scored two tries and wrecked the Roosters defence. Brent Naden scored the winner in the 60th minute. James Maloney could now be leading the way to return back to the Origin arena after a big performance here. Their completion rate was still dire but this was a much better effort.
10. Broncos (9)
The Broncos will be filthy with this result and even more so the effort they put in at home. The Titans made them look foolish at times and only two late tries made this game look close. Jake Turpin has a magical game and did everything possible to lift his side. Matt Lodge put his name in Origin discussions with 205 metres. This was a horror effort and should be a wake-up call.
11. Tigers (10)
The Tigers should be much lower on the list after possibly the worst performance of the season. The 28-0 loss to the travelling Raiders was absolutely dire. The Raiders scored some freakish tries but the Tigers failed to create anything of note. Ryan Matterson is right in the Origin frame despite his side's thumping. Otherwise, there wasn't much to like here. On paper, the Tigers weren't that bad but you can't drop a game to zero at home.
12. Titans (14)
The Titans sent a big message on Sunday afternoon by bouncing big brother 26-18. Two late Broncos tries made this closer than it deserved to be. Tyrone Roberts is in career best form and made Darius Boyd look like a fool. Jarrod Wallace reminded Origin selectors of his talents with a game-high 235 metres. Anthony Don is a try-scoring freak. Huge win for the Titans.
13. Warriors (11)
The Warriors started their battle with the Storm in red hot form. Two tries in the first 20 minutes were, unfortunately, all she wrote for the Warriors. They conceded five tries to drop a big loss at home. The Storm didn't allow the Warriors any ball and reduced them to passengers late on. 10 errors ended their chances of a comeback. They didn't take advantage of a man overlap after Welch's sin-binning.
14. Dragons (15)
The Dragons are back! Kind of. This was a win they needed in a big way. The 36-12 win may have saved their season after a shocking run. The six tries to two win came on the back of the return of Corey Norman. Ravalawa had a field day with 196 metres, three line breaks and two tries. Zac Lomax is a lot of fun. Much better performance by the Red V.
15. Eels (12)
The Eels managed to score three late tries on Saturday evening to slightly gloss their horror loss in the Shire. Clint Gutherson's injury in the opening minutes really hurt their chances. Blake Ferguson ran for 211 metres but got burned in a big way by Xerri. The Eels were lucky that the Sharks only completed at 66% or this could have been much worse. Hopefully, for Eels fans, this is a wake-up call for the side.
16. Bulldogs (16)
The Bulldogs had it all to play for yet came away with another awful defeat. An early try set the Dogs on their way but the Dragons took the game away from them, after a series of exciting tries. Keiran Foran did everything he could but didn't have enough support. DWZ arrives at the club and should slot straight into fullback.