Penrith’s crown has slipped only a fraction to a degree the place Cronulla are actually the best-performing workforce within the NRL proper now.
It doesn’t imply a lot in Might notably for a facet just like the Sharks that’s making an attempt to shed the status of being finals flakes however you solely wanted to have a look at how they got here collectively throughout and after their win over the Storm to grasp they’re higher than the sum of their elements.
Not even the absence of Nicho Hynes threw them off their sport and it will likely be fascinating to see if the Panthers can do likewise now that Nathan Cleary goes to be sidelined for 2 months.
Hynes might be again in Magic Spherical or the next week from his calf pressure however even with out their two first-choice playmakers, the Cronulla machine rumbled on at AAMI Park on Saturday night time prefer it has finished for all however one in all their first 9 matches to return away with a uncommon win in Melbourne.
The Storm have been undoubtedly under-strength as effectively given Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes have been injured however that doesn’t excuse the dearth of oomph they obtained from their forwards who didn’t match Cronulla’s depth within the center.
Workforce by workforce, right here’s how the Energy Rankings stack up after Spherical 10.
1 Sharks (final week 2): By no means give a sucker a fair break and Braydon Trindall would possibly discover it onerous to get his No.6 jersey again from Daniel Atkinson if the younger playmaker retains placing in performances like his match-winning effort in Melbourne.
Blayke Brailey showcased his bettering attacking abilities at halfback and Cameron McInnes nearly sealed his NSW choice by proving he nonetheless has the agility to fit in at hooker whereas peeling off a mountain of defensive work in the course of the ruck.
Siosifa Talakai celebrates after scoring. (Picture by Graham Denholm/Getty Photos)
2 Panthers (1): No Nathan Cleary for some time means the Panthers aren’t the invincible juggernaut they’ve been all through everything of this decade.
The truth that back-up half Brad Schneider can also be sidelined means they’re susceptible the subsequent few weeks heading into the State of Origin interval.
Regardless of all this, Ivan Cleary will stay calm, as all the time, as a result of they’re nonetheless second on the ladder after banking a couple of ugly/gritty wins already, together with Friday’s grudge match with the East Penrith Bulldogs.
3 Roosters (4): There’s no manner you may accuse the Roosters of being left or proper dominant. In the event that they’re not attacking on the appropriate by means of the magic of Joseph Manu, they head left the place Angus Crichton’s blunt power is inflicting loads of trauma for edge defenders.
Their one-two punch despatched the Warriors tumbling to the canvas inside 12 minutes at Allianz Stadium on Sunday and the Roosters have been capable of cruise to their third straight spectacular win after disposing of the Dragons and Broncos.
Canberra Raiders
v
Canterbury Bulldogs
NRL : Head To Head
Fri, 17 Might 2024, 18:00
Manly Sea Eagles
v
Brisbane Broncos
NRL : Head To Head
Fri, 17 Might 2024, 20:05
Gold Coast Titans
v
Newcastle Knights
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 18 Might 2024, 15:00
Cronulla Sharks
v
Sydney Roosters
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 18 Might 2024, 17:30
South Sydney Rabbitohs
v
North Queensland Cowboys
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 18 Might 2024, 19:45
New Zealand Warriors
v
Penrith Panthers
NRL : Head To Head
Solar, 19 Might 2024, 13:50
Melbourne Storm
v
Parramatta Eels
NRL : Head To Head
Solar, 19 Might 2024, 16:05
NRL : Head To Head
Solar, 19 Might 2024, 18:25
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4 Broncos (5): Reece Walsh bounced again from a uncommon stinker the earlier spherical towards the Roosters to mix with Ezra Mam to sink Parramatta.
The Broncos struggled to win the sphere place arm wrestle, notably within the first half, however their efficiency out vast and skill to attain long-range tries towards the run of play is a priceless commodity.
5 Storm (3): Whereas they have been with out Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes towards the Sharks, there was no excuse for his or her pack getting (to make use of a really rugby league time period) out-enthused in the course of AAMI Park.
Melbourne’s roster rebuild has been spectacular within the post-Large Three period however the departure of Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi firstly of final yr has additionally been vital as a result of they have an inclination to lack a mongrel aspect up entrance when opposition sides play the ability sport by means of the central third.
Harry Grant is held up. (Picture by Graham Denholm/Getty Photos)
6 Dolphins (7): They’ve been entrenched within the prime eight each spherical this season after bouncing again from their first-up spanking from the Cowboys.
Herbie Farnworth is again, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is on the best way and Tom Flegler won’t be too far behind. If they’ll keep away from accidents, the possibilities of the Dolphins making the finals of their second season are actually trying extra seemingly than not.
7 Sea Eagles (6): And now it’s Anthony Seibold’s flip to see if he could make Manly nice once more with out Tom Trbojevic.
It was a significant contributing issue to the demise of his predecessors Trent Barrett and Des Hasler so no strain, Seibs.
He has a few very useful back-up choices in Reuben Garrick and Tolu Koula however historical past suggests the Sea Eagles will wrestle with out Turbo and for a workforce that has a middling 5-1-4 file, they’ll’t afford a stoop with out their star fullback if the highest 4 is their aim.
8 Bulldogs (8): They misplaced no admirers for his or her willingness to bash and barge into the premiers at Penrith final Friday and aside from a couple of passes going astray at vital moments, might have come away with a special consequence.
There’s nonetheless an excessive amount of of a reliance on Matt Burton to create their attacking raids so whether or not it’s Drew Hutchison, Connor Tracey or Stephen Crichton in the event that they get him extra concerned, they want one other playmaking risk to make sure opposition defenders don’t simply load up on the five-eighth.
9 Knights (11): Battling on to 3 straight wins with out Kalyn Ponga has taken the main target away from Newcastle and coach Adam O’Brien, getting them again to a 5-5 file.
And with the Titans and Bulldogs both facet of a bye, they’ll crack the highest eight within the coming weeks nevertheless it’s onerous to see them occurring a run like final yr after they rose from the depths to surge into the playoffs.
(Picture by Mark Evans/Getty Photos)
10 Raiders (12): After this week’s bye, they’re about to enter a testing little stretch the place they face the bettering Bulldogs on impartial turf, host the Roosters then head north to face the Dolphins.
11 Warriors (9): They’ve a major harm toll with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s hamstring downside including to Kurt Capewell, Marate Niukore, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf being absent.
And if Shaun Johnson’s pectoral harm is critical, the fairtyale 2023 run might quickly be a distant reminiscence and in no hazard of a sequel this season.
12 Dragons (13): The finals are nonetheless a chance so Shane Flanagan is sticking with veterans in his pack however there ought to come a time quickly the place the likes of Toby Couchman, Alec Tuitavake and Viliami Fifita must get some common NRL sport time this season with a watch on 2025.
Flanagan has finished effectively to show the workforce round from final yr’s flaky outfit however he must maintain constructing for the long run by making an attempt the membership’s younger expertise on the prime stage.
13 Cowboys (10): That’s now 5 losses on the trot. It’s time for Todd Payten to cease threatening to make personnel adjustments and really change up his facet as a result of the present line-up lacks cohesion in just about all areas.
The defence up the center is a significant trigger for concern – there’s various massive names on the Cowboys not dwelling as much as their status.
(Picture by Brendon Thorne/Getty Photos)
14 Eels (14): The truth that Mitchell Moses is being rushed again early from a critical foot harm is an indication of the desperation that’s at present enveloping Parramatta after dropping 5 of their previous six matches.
Hopefully he’s totally match if he returns this week or subsequent but when the Eels get this choice incorrect and Moses aggravates the harm, their 2024 finals prospects are over and coach Brad Arthur might be getting a faucet on the shoulder.
15 Titans (16): Within the phrases of Jerry Seinfeld when George negotiated for a lower-paid deal for the episode after they sealed their sitcom deal, “you held out for much less – that is how they negotiate within the bizarro world”.
David Fifita is strolling away from a deal price $1m for 2 extra seasons for a four-year contract on the Roosters the place he’ll pocket $850K yearly.
16 Wests Tigers (15): They’re an immature workforce, which is to be anticipated when three of your backbone members are nonetheless studying the NRL commerce, and it’s costing them in crunch conditions.
They’ve conceded a attempt within the 5 minutes simply earlier than or after half-time on 4 events of their previous three begins and it was notably pricey when Newcastle touched down on the final play of the primary half final Saturday in Tamworth in one other slender loss.
17 Rabbitohs (17): Latrell Mitchell was engaged towards the Dragons however there was little to counsel his return from suspension was going to out of the blue end in a Rabbitohs U-turn from their one-way plummet to the underside of the ladder.
Throughout their again 5 Souths are persistently not getting off to robust begins to their units and with a weakened ahead pack, they’re not often producing any in-game momentum.
