What a week of rugby league!
State of Origin Two set all sorts of records, while Round 16 produced a plethora of brilliant highlights.
My heart goes out to anyone who is currently in a paid tipping competition. The amount of upsets this year has to be at an all time high level.
Those upsets, as well as some major results between similarly rated sides sees mass changes on both the NRL ladder and here in our weekly Power Rankings.
Where did your team land after a fantastic Round 16?:
1. Canberra Raiders (Last Week: 1)
The Raiders returned from their first bye of the season and got in the win over the Tigers. It was a little more difficult than they would have expected but they managed to get the points.
Their first half was almost impeccable. Leading 16-0 a the break, this had 40-6 written all over it. They did have to fight hard in the end but their big man just got the job done.
A second Friday night away trip, this time to Newcastle, awaits. They'll take any type of win to keep the momentum going.
2. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2)
The Dogs sat back post Origin and watched the round of footy via the Bye.
Thursday night they Dogs play the red hot Panthers in what shapes as a genuine Finals preview. Can't wait.
3. Melbourne Storm (4)
The Storm started Saturday evening in a way that had me sure they were about to have us looking at the record books.
Ultimately a Ryan Papenhuyzen field goal in Golden Point was the difference, but the Storm just keep on rolling. I get the feeling they're about to hit top form post Origin.
The Sharks are in town this weekend. Melbourne will be licking their lips considering what is going on in the Shire.
4. New Zealand Warriors (3)
The Warriors loss to the Panthers on Saturday afternoon wouldn't be such a big deal if not for the fact Penrith were missing all of their many Origin stars.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad chimed in with his usual 200+ run metres. Unfortunately, the Warriors just lacked that creative spark when it counted most.
A tough trip to Brisbane awaits a team that can send a real message this weekend. I'm very much looking forward to this one.
5. Brisbane Broncos (9)
Brisbane ran down a huge deficit in the second half to beat the Sharks.
The second half comeback came on the back of Reece Walsh brilliance, Adam Reynolds controlling the game and two middle forwards who bashed the Sharks into submission.
A home game against the Warriors this weekend will show what each team is really made of!
6. Penrith Panthers (8)
The Panthers sent an Origin-depleted squad to the Warriors, bounced their hosts and returned home with the competition points. Also, with a big message sent.
Scott Sorensen crossed for a double, Thomas Jenkins continued his brilliant try scoring run and Blaize Talagai continues to look the goods in the halves.
The mother of all NRL regular season games kicks off Thursday night as the red hot Panthers host the even hotter Bulldogs. Phwoar!
7. Sydney Roosters (10)
The Roosters are absolutely flying right now. They tore the Cowboys to shreds
Mark Nawaqanitawase may be the most entertaining player in the competition right now. Connor Watson showed why he deserves an Origin spot, if used correctly. James Tedesco should probably return to Origin based on form.
A bye this weekend will see the Roosters rested and ready to launch a genuine crack at the Finals. It suddenly looks a lot closer than it did a few weeks ago.
8. The Dolphins (6)
The Dolphins entered their Perth clash with the Knights in red hot form and as huge favourites to beat Newcastle.
Unfortunately they failed to capture a win that looked all but assured. It's hardly going to end their season but it absolutely stopped their incredible run of wins.
A Saturday night home game against the Bunnies should present them a shot at quickly returning to winning ways.
9. Cronulla Sharks (5)
For 40 minutes, the Sharks looked well on track to get their season back on track. Then the going got tough and they fell apart in conceding 22 unanswered points.
Blayke Brailey was electric for 60 minutes. Hynes, Trindall, Kennedy and the like all looked like world beaters until momentum turned and they were reduced to spectators. Almost literally.
A trip to the Storm has Sharks fans worried. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon flatly refuses to make any changes. It could be a long afternoon.
10. North Queensland Cowboys (7)
The fall of the Cowboys needs to be studied. They were flying until recently but bottomed out (hopefully for their fans) at the hands of the Roosters on Sunday.
They shipped 42 points to a Roosters side with players backing up from Origin. Murray Taulagi's try was a highlight. Probably the only highlight.
The Titans await on Friday afternoon. This is as much a must win as any game this weekend. They need to get the points and move forward with a minimal of fuss.
11. Manly Sea Eagles (11)
Manly's Bye week came at a perfect time. They're a team at a crossroads, their captain is leaving and their best player is eternally hurt.
The Sea Eagles simply have to beat the Tigers on Friday evening at Brookvale.
12. St George Illawarra Dragons (12)
The Dragons are another team who needed a Bye in the worst kind of way.
Unfortunately for fans of the Red V, the expected (or hoped) changes never came. That said, they should beat the Eels on Saturday evening.
13. Newcastle Knights (14)
Newcastle were brilliant in Perth in outscoring the Dolphins.
Bradman Best was massive out wide. He crossed for a double and was almost impossible to bring down. Dominic Young celebrated his return to the Knights with a try.
Friday night's home game against the Raiders will be tough. They need to start winning these tough games to move anywhere near Finals footy.
14. South Sydney Rabbitohs (11)
The Bunnies were excellent on Saturday night in their Golden Point loss to the Storm.
Latrell Mitchell produced a series of worldly passes to put Alex Johnston over for two tries. Johnston's intercept for his hattrick was brilliant heads up play from the winger.
Souths are probably better than their spot here suggests and they have a chance to prove that at Suncorp on Saturday night against the Dolphins.
15. Parramatta Eels (17)
The Eels sent a message on Sunday evening that they are not done yet.
The 36 points to 20 win over the Titans came despite both their star halves missing the game. Isaiah Iongi was brilliant on the night. Zac Lomax kicked six from six and didn't look like missing.
The Dragons are there to be beaten. With Dylan Brown back, there's every chance Parra can get the win here and rise up the table again.
16. Wests Tigers (16)
The Tigers were so close to causing a massive boilover on Friday night in their loss to the Raiders.
Starford To'a is on track to being an elite centre. Latu Fainu looks an amazing talent. I hope he can stay fit and build on his impressive return against Canberra.
Friday evening's away trip to the struggling Sea Eagles presents a chance to get that elusive win. They need it despite the improvements we have seen.
17. Gold Coast Titans (15)
The Titans just can't get it together. They had an amazing opportunity to put together back to back wins against an Eels side sans their star halves. They fell short.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira's try double was a rare highlight on a night they lost 36 points to 20 against a massively undermanned Eels side.
A home game this Friday afternoon against the Cowboys is simply must win. If not, their season is officially done. If it's not already.
You know what else isย Built Different?ย The PointsBet App!
Based on performance, I’d swap the Panthers and the Bronx but that’s just personal preference. Otherwise, I have no disagreement with any of it.