The Sharks have sounded an ominous title warning after knocking the Storm of the top of the Power Rankings in a stunning against the odds victory.
Meanwhile, the Knights are surging on the back of three straight wins and Manly are headed in the opposite direction after Tom Trbojevic’s latest injury.
Read on for the NRL Power Rankings ahead of Magic Round.
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Titans CEO opens up on Fifita backflip | 07:33
1. CRONULLA SHARKS
Last week’s ranking: 3rd (up two spots)
Analysis: The Sharks announced themselves as a genuine title threat with a huge 25-18 win over the Storm at AAMI Park, minus their star halfback Nicho Hynes, who was out due to injury. Dan Atkinson stepped up in the absence of Hynes to guide the Sharks to victory and has cemented himself as one of the breakout stars of the season. Jesse Ramien is a smokey for the Blues’ Origin side after another starring display, while Siosifa Talakai is proving a revelation as a bench impact player. The Sharks can further cement their premiership aspirations with a victory over the Roosters in Magic Round.
2. MELBOURNE STORM
Last week’s ranking: 1st (down one spot)
Analysis: The Storm missed a golden opportunity to cement top spot on the ladder and the Power Rankings with their 25-18 loss to the Sharks. They may have been without Jahrome Hughes, but Tyran Wishart and Cameron Munster still performed well in his absence. Eliesa Katoa and Reimis Smith were also strong in try-scoring displays. However, the Storm uncharacteristically missed 37 tackles against the Sharks exposing some weaknesses in their defence, given Hynes wasn’t playing. The Storm can get back in the winners circle with a clash with their bogey side the Eels on Sunday.
3. SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Last week’s ranking: 4th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Roosters continued their hot run of form with a 38-18 demolition of the Warriors. Angus Crichton scored another double to make it five tries in three games and continue his push for a Blues recall amid David Fifita’s stunning backflip on the club. Sam Walker is blossoming into the Roosters’ chief playmaker, while James Tedesco and Dominic Young were superb at the back with three tries between them. The Roosters can continue their surge up the Power Rankings in arguably the match of Magic Round against the Sharks.
4. PENRITH PANTHERS
Last week’s ranking: 2nd (down two spots)
Analysis: The Panthers may have got the job done in a nailbiting 16-10 win over the Bulldogs, but it came at a massive cost with star halfback Nathan Cleary ruled out of the Origin series with a hamstring injury that will see him miss two months. Unfortunately his back-up Brad Schneider was also injured in reserve grade, which ramps up the pressure on Jarome Luai becoming the chief playmaker in the coming rounds. The Panthers face a big test against a desperate Warriors side fighting for their season on Sunday afternoon.
Fifita’s shock BACKFLIP on Roosters deal | 05:27
5. BRISBANE BRONCOS
Last week’s ranking: 5th (no movement)
Analysis: The Broncos were not perfect but they still showed plenty of class to beat the Eels 30-14. Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh stepped up in the absence of injured skipper Adam Reynolds with three try assists and two tries between them and the Broncos will need plenty more of that until he returns later in the season. Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner were also electric with three tries and 300 metres between them. The Broncos face a big test against a wounded Manly side in a blockbuster clash on Friday night.
6. DOLPHINS
Last week’s ranking: 6th (no movement)
Analysis: Another week and another upset for the Dolphins who beat the Sea Eagles 30-24 to show they are a real chance of making their maiden finals appearance this season. Trai Fuller has been a revelation for the Dolphins at fullback in the absence of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and his demotion to the reserves this week is a brutal call given his form. Connelly Lemuelu and Euan Aitken have both stepped up in the back row in the absence of some injured stars and the Dolphins can be even more formidable when they get some troops back. A clash with the struggling Tigers in Magic Round can see Wayne Bennett’s side’s stocks rise even higher.
7. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Last week’s ranking: 10th (up three spots)
Analysis: The Knights are on a roll with their 20-14 victory over the Tigers their third on the trot, which leaves them one point outside breaking into the top eight. The Knights have built their recent success on a strong platform from their forwards, who were again excellent against the Tigers. However, it was their back five which shone in attack, with four tries and three try assists between them to get them home. Bradman Best is finding form right on the edge of the Origin season, while David Armstrong has been a revelation at the back. The Knights get a great chance to make it four wins in a row against the Titans on Saturday afternoon.
8. MANLY SEA EAGLES
Last week’s ranking: 7th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Sea Eagles have gone from title smokeys to struggling to hold onto their top eight spot after their upset 30-24 loss to the Dolphins. Compounding the loss in a recent run of poor results, Manly lost their most influential player Tom Trbojevic to another hamstring injury that will see him sidelined for two months. The onus is now on Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans to reinvent their attack because they won’t have Turbo to get them out of trouble anymore with his brilliance. Defence will be a huge focus in their clash with the Broncos in Magic Round, which could see them drop out of the top eight.
9. CANBERRA RAIDERS
Last week’s ranking: 9th (no movement)
Analysis: The Raiders had the bye in Round 10, which came on the back of their upset 26-24 away win over the Sea Eagles. Elliot Whitehead is back to bolster their forward pack and him and Hudson Young scored three tries between them in their last outing. Kaeo Weekes is also showing plenty of promise after coming in to replace Jamal Fogarty, albeit with a different style at halfback. Ricky Stuart will continue to back his youth after signing a contract extension through until 2029 and they get another chance to cement their top eight spot against the Bulldogs to open Magic Round.
10. CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Last week’s ranking: 8th (down two spots)
Analysis: They may have gone down 16-10 to the Panthers, but the Bulldogs again showed they have plenty of fight to push for a return to finals this season. Matt Burton is in the best form of his career as a five-eighth for the club, with three linebreak assists, a try and 76 metres against his old team. Jacob Kiraz was also immense on the wing with a try and over 200 metres. However, the Bulldogs pack missed far too many tackles against Penrith, who were without Nathan Cleary and they will need to be much better to beat the surging Raiders in Magic Round.
Trindall named on Sharks’ extended bench | 00:41
11. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Last week’s ranking: 12th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Dragons were not perfect but they always looked in control in their 28-14 win over the Rabbitohs. Jaydn Su’A continued his push for a Maroons recall, while Jack de Belin was the best player on the field after being promoted to start at lock. Jack Bird and Zac Lomax continued their strong form in try-scoring displays, while Ben Hunt keeps driving the ship with his leadership proving crucial for a young side. The Dragons will have the bye in Magic Round before a clash with the Bulldogs in Round 12 as they aim to break into the top eight in the coming weeks.
12. WARRIORS
Last week’s ranking: 11th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Warriors’ finals hopes are on thin ice after they were well beaten in a 38-18 loss to the Roosters, which shows the gulf between them and the elite teams in 2024. An injury to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck didn’t help their cause before kick-off and another injury to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has compounded their backline headaches. The Warriors are in desperate need of more creativity from Te Maire Martin and Wayde Egan until they get some troops back. Things don’t get any easier in a clash with the premiers the Panthers in Magic Round.
13. GOLD COAST TITANS
Last week’s ranking: 15th (up two spots)
Analysis: The Titans are starting to find their mojo after beating the Cowboys 20-18 for their second win of the season. AJ Brimson has been the Mr Fix It for the Titans this season and was again exceptional after switching to the halves for the injured Tanah Boyd, with Keano Kini impressing at fullback. And the man of the moment David Fifita put in a strong try-scoring display days before a stunning backflip on his four year Roosters deal to remain with the Titans for the next two seasons. The Titans can make it two wins on the trot with a clash with the Knights in Magic Round.
14. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Last week’s ranking: 13th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Cowboys’ season is imploding with their 20-18 loss to the Titans their fifth defeat in a row to have them fighting to stay in touch with the top eight. Jeremiah Nanai was impressive with a classy double as the Cowboys mounted an unlikely comeback, while Chad Townsend was excellent with three try assists. However, the Cowboys need a lot more from Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater in attack, while the whole team needs to lift to fix their glaring weakness, which is their shoddy defence. Their clash with the last placed Rabbitohs is a must win on Saturday or they can kiss their finals hopes goodbye.
Is Crichton’s future at the Chooks? | 03:12
15. PARRAMATTA EELS
Last week’s ranking: 14th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Eels showed plenty of fight, but they still lack the class and grit to match the top teams after going down 30-14 to the Broncos. Dylan Brown had one of his best games for the season with 87 run metres, a try and a try assist, but he needs more help to run the side’s attack effectively. Blaize Talagi showed glimpses of his promise in the fullback jersey in the absence of Clint Gutherson, but he also was guilty of four errors. The Eels desperately need to find a way to beat the Storm in Magic Round with their season fast slipping away and they won’t have Mitchell Moses back to help just yet.
16. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s ranking: 16th (no movement)
Analysis: The Tigers showed plenty of fight, but again fell short in a 20-14 loss to the Knights that saw them drop their sixth game in a row. The Tigers are showing a renewed pride in defence under Benji Marshall, but unfortunately their attack is just not producing enough points to win games in the NRL. Isaiah Papali’i put in a stellar display with two tries against the Knights, but John Bateman’s injury means he will have to do even more in the coming weeks. The Tigers face a huge test against the Dolphins in Magic Round as they stare down the barrel of seven losses in a row.
Harry Grant beats dangerous contact fine | 00:54
17. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Last week’s ranking: 17th (no movement)
Analysis: The Rabbitohs are improving, but they never looked likely of beating the Dragons in a 28-14 loss that sees them cemented to the bottom of the ladder and the Power Rankings. Latrell Mitchell had a mixed return from suspension with a classy double and a try assist let down by four costly errors. Souths are desperately down on troops, but they need more from big money five-eighth Cody Walker to create more opportunities in attack if they want to break their losing streak. They get a massive chance to get back in the winners circle against the struggling Cowboys in Magic Round, but it will take their best performance of the season given the players they have out.