NRL Power Rankings 2017: Round Six
1. Cronulla Sharks (last week 6)
It is a big jump from last week, but in 80 minutes on Sunday the Sharks proved their best is still at least the equal of anyone else. Their street-smarts make a huge difference in close games. Paul Gallen is a brilliant leader, and still a top-shelf player.
2. Melbourne Storm (last week 1)
Their unbeaten record is gone, but their stature among the game’s elite teams remains. The departure of Cooper Cronk is likely to add even more motivation for coach Craig Bellamy’s men. Billy Slater is playing well, but wait a few weeks and he should be flying.
3. St George Illawarra Dragons (last week 5)
Top of the ladder but not top of the power rankings? That’s because while they are playing great football, they need a few more weeks to prove this form is for real. Proved themselves a better side than Manly on Saturday. Coach Paul McGregor needs to press for a new contract, pronto.
4. Brisbane Broncos (last week 7)
If not for Ben Hunt’s injury they would be at least one spot higher. Were awesome in the way they dispatched the Roosters. Have had a horror draw so far, one that can only get easier from here. Play the battered Gold Coast Titans on Friday. Two more points.
5. Sydney Roosters (last week 2)
After round four they looked like premiers, two weeks later they look like bottom-of-the-eight material. They were outplayed, and even more concerningly, out-hustled by Brisbane. There is no excuse for the second thing happening. If players still got punished with laps of the oval there would be some sore legs.
6. Canberra Raiders (last week 8)
They only beat the Titans, but a couple of teams who were above them suffered badly over the weekend. Everyone keeps saying watch out if they put 80 minutes together, but the longer a side goes without doing that increases the likelihood of it never actually happening.
7. Manly Sea Eagles (last week 4)
What’s the real Manly? The unit that out-fought the Roosters or the mob that was man-handled by the Dragons at their beloved Lottoland. Maybe supporting Manly is like buying a lotto ticket. You could win a bundle, but disappointment is the most likely outcome. The Storm provide their next challenge.
8. Canterbury Bulldogs (last week 10)
Still far from convincing, but two wins in a row has to count for something. Could Dessie have stumbled upon a solution for their woes in the halves in the shape of Matt Frawley. In two games he has done things with the boot and the pass that Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye can only dream of.
9. New Zealand Warriors (last week 12)
Kieran Foran’s off-field issues led to many us forgetting how good he is at rugby league. The Warriors have been a different team since he returned. With it increasingly likely he will only spend one year with the club they need to make it count. Will find out if they’re for real when they face the Raiders this weekend.
10. Wests Tigers (last week 15)
Ivan Cleary’s ability to work miracles in next to no time is wasted as a rugby league coach. Why not get him to come up with a way for our youth to be able to afford their first home to be in Newtown. Or maybe he could head to Mar-A-Lago and sort Donald Trump out while playing 18 holes. But seriously, how much better did the Tigers look against the Cowboys.
