This was published 9 years ago
NRL Power Rankings Round 10
Paul Zalunardo
1. Sydney Roosters (last week 5)
That was as good an 80 minutes as we've seen this year. Tought, uncompromising and fast. We've said before that when the Roosters are on, they can beat anyone. They didn't just beat an Eels team that entered the match in good form, they smashed them. Consistency remains their major issue
2. Melbourne Storm (last week 1)
You can't lose and stay at the top of the Power Rankings. The way they let Gold Coast back into their weekend clash was a most un-Melbourne thing to do. Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona were missing, but that wouldn't have fixed the scant regard they showed for the ball. 
3. Cronulla Sharks (last week 2)
They're winning but they aren't looking like the team they were last year. That may yet change but we'll wait until we see it. The Dragons were seriously under-manned but still almost got the win. They look like a top four team, but not a premiership team. Prove us wrong Sharks, if you can.
4. Brisbane Broncos (last week 3)
As is the case with the Sharks, they're good but they're not really good. Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima are good against tired opposition, they need to become good throughout an entire match. They're well clear of fifth on the Power Rankings, but moving north will require either an improvement or a slip-up from someone above them.
5. Gold Coast Titans (last week 11)
Before you ask, I haven't been drinking. The Titans have enjoyed a great run, beating both grand finalists from last year during a three-match winning streak. You can't ignore that. Moving Tyrone Roberts to fullback and Jarryd Hayne into the centres has proven a master stroke. Injuries continue to be a major negative but they've earned their spot here for this week at least.
6. Manly Sea Eagles (last week 4)
They appeared to run out of steam against the Broncos after a strong first 60 minutes. That isn't a great sign especially when you take into account that they didn't play the previous week. They look like a finals side. An aside: Tom Trbojevic's injury was sad, but do we want to get to the stage where you can't touch someone as soon as they jump in the air?
7. Penrith Panthers (last week 14)
They're back, baby (we think). A superb 40 minutes has breathed life back into their season. That's probably not enough to get them their seven-place jump, but no-one below them is travelling well. Their task now is to turn a good 40 minutes into a good month. That's what they need.
8. North Queensland Cowboys (last week 13)
That's more like it. Despite still being without Johnathan Thurston they never looked like losing against the Bulldogs. Michael Morgan played great, as did their forward pack. Repeat that and add Thurston back into the mix and things are looking rosy once again. 
9. St George Illawarra Dragons (last week 8)
They're still big and they're still tough, but without Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan they are sadly lacking in the class department. They're still good enough to beat the teams at the lower end of the ladder, but don't have enough to produce match-winning scores against the top teams right now. That could change when Dugan and Widdop return.
