The race for a spot within the prime eight is about to go all the way down to the wire whereas the Broncos may finish a 23-year await a minor premiership.
Read beneath for the most recent NRL Power Rankings!
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Edwards extends till finish of 2028! | 02:13
1. BRISBANE BRONCOS
Last week’s rating: 2nd (up one spot)
Analysis: The Broncos transfer into prime spot after a tough fought win over the Raiders in Canberra. They at the moment are within the field seat to select up their fifth minor premiership, nevertheless coach Kevin Walters has rested a number of gamers for his or her ultimate spherical conflict in opposition to the Storm, who’ve additionally disregarded a raft of normal starters. Adam Reynolds is underneath an harm cloud with a calf problem however the skipper is assured he’ll be proper for the primary week of the finals collection. What could also be a contact extra regarding although, is the well being of gun lock Pat Carrigan who’s battling a foot harm. Walters has his workforce buzzing in the mean time with seven straight wins and alongside the Panthers, they’re a aspect who will likely be a particularly robust matchup for whoever they tackle within the finals. It’s price noting, that the Broncos have gone onto win the grand ultimate in all 4 years they’ve completed with the minor premiership (1992, 1997, 1998, 2000).
Injuries/suspensions: Pat Carrigan (foot, Finals Week 1), Adam Reynolds (calf, Finals Week 1), Kotoni Staggs (suspension, Finals Week 1).
Run residence: Storm (h)
2. PENRITH PANTHERS
Last week’s rating: 1st (down one spot)
Analysis: Penrith drop again to second spot after a shock loss to the Eels in Round 26. Interestingly, it was their second loss to Parramatta this yr after thrashing them within the 2022 grand ultimate. However the larger blow was the shoulder harm to Jarome Luai. The star playmaker is anticipated to overlook no less than a few weeks, doubtlessly longer. The distinction in profitable strike charge for the Panthers with Luai within the aspect (88.5%) to when he isn’t (53.8%) is kind of stark, however captain Nathan Cleary says he’s assured the partnership between him and Luai’s substitute Jack Cogger will get the job performed. Penrith have named a principally full-strength aspect for his or her conflict in opposition to North Queensland, but when the Broncos win on Friday to lock up the minor premiership, Ivan Cleary may relaxation just a few stars to keep away from an pointless accidents on the eve of the finals.
Injuries/suspensions: Izack Tago (leg, Finals Week 1), Jarome Luai (shoulder, Finals Week 3), Taylan May (knee, season).
Run residence: Cowboys (h)
Hot mic sledge prompted Knights streak? | 01:28
3. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Last week’s rating: 4th (up one spot)
Analysis: Penrith and Brisbane are deservedly the premiership favourites, however the resurgent Knights are shaping up as a scary proposition for any aspect to return throughout this finals collection. Newcastle have received eight on the bounce, together with a dominant 32-6 win over the Sharks final Sunday. They have been one of many tales of 2023, contemplating their sluggish begin to the season, the concussion issues their celebrity Kalyn Ponga needed to overcome and the studies coach Adam O’Brien was nearly on his method out. What may derail the Knights’ season although is the shoulder harm to Ponga, who left the Sharks win early after copping an enormous hit. Ponga will miss the ultimate spherical conflict in opposition to the Dragons with the membership saying he will likely be high quality for the Knights’ elimination ultimate in a fortnight, however will he be 100%? There’s little question he’s been the most effective fullback of the competitors over the previous couple months, together with his shift from five-eighth the catalyst for Newcastle’s spectacular run.
Injuries/suspensions: Krystian Mapapalangi (shoulder, indefinite), Bailey Hodgson (shoulder, season), Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
Run residence: Dragons (a)
4. WARRIORS
Last week’s rating: 4th (again one spot)
Analysis: It could also be harsh to drop them again to fourth spot contemplating they received their seventh-straight final week, however it was removed from convincing. They’ve taken on three sides already eradicated from competition over the previous three weeks and all in New Zealand. Last week, they struggled to place away the Dragons, had been tied up at 22 with seven minutes to go in opposition to Manly two weeks in the past and the spherical previous to that, solely beat the Tigers by eight factors. There is one thing that may be mentioned about discovering a method and profitable ugly, however their formlines of late doesn’t look like of a workforce that’s primed for a deep run. What is of their favour is that they’re clearly a galvanised unit, will likely be ensured of a house ultimate at some stage and know how one can win.
Injuries/suspensions: Wayde Egan (throat, TBC), Te Maire Martin (leg, Round 26), Ali Leiataua (hamstring, late season), Brayden Wiliame (leg, late season), Valingi Kepu (foot, season)
Run residence: Dolphins (a)
‘Clearly the tradition shouldn’t be proper’ | 06:27
5. MELBOURNE STORM
Last week’s rating: fifth (no motion)
Analysis: They confirmed their class late in opposition to the Titans, however it was a lot nearer than Craig Bellamy would have been snug with inside the ultimate 20 minutes. The Storm had been additionally unconvincing for a lot of the sport in opposition to the Dragons a fortnight in the past, however had been in a position to flex their muscular tissues once they wanted to tug out a victory. Plenty of stars will earn a much-needed relaxation within the ultimate spherical with Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes additionally getting some reprieve to take care of harm niggles. The Storm boast a exceptional document in opposition to the Broncos, profitable their previous 13 matches in opposition to the Brisbane-based aspect. No matter what occurs between them on Thursday, there’s a giant probability they face one another within the first week of the finals at Suncorp Stadium.
Injuries/suspensions: Jahrome Hughes (knee, finals week 1), Harry Grant (shoulder, Finals Week 1), (George Jennings (knee, season), Dean Ieremia (knee, season)
Run residence: Broncos (a)
6. SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Last week’s rating: seventh (up one spot)
Analysis: Ticking over superbly in the mean time, with followers seemingly questioning the place this was earlier within the season. Have they left their run too late although? Even in the event that they do beat the Rabbitohs on Friday, their spot within the finals nonetheless relaxation on different outcomes going their method (Cowboys lose to Panthers OR Raiders lose to Sharks). After a shaky begin to the sport, they ended up defeating the Tigers with the ears pricked final week, nevertheless it did come at a price with Joey Manu hobbling off with a hamstring harm and forcing him out of their ultimate recreation of the season. The good news – captain James Tedesco (head knock) returns from every week off.
Injuries/suspensions: Joey Manu (hamstring, TBC), Paul Momirovski (shoulder, indefinite), Connor Watson (knee, indefinite), Sitili Tupouniua (neck, indefinite), Angus Crichton (knee, indefinite), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension, subsequent season).
Run residence: Rabbitohs (a)
7. CRONULLA SHARKS
Last week’s rating: sixth (no motion)
Analysis: They are laborious to gauge this workforce. Their finest is excellent, however that could be a large gulf between their worst. A silver lining was that even with the absence of Nicho Hynes, they had been degree with the red-hot Knights final week at halftime earlier than Newcastle kicked instantly within the second forty minutes. Connor Tracey has been wonderful since changing Will Kennedy on the again, and can give coach Craig Fitzgibbon one thing to consider when the incumbent returns from harm. Cronulla tackle the Raiders this week with a spot within the finals just about locked up, until they lose by a giant margin and the Cowboys thrash the Panthers. They look protected, nevertheless in the case of their title hopes, their type in opposition to the higher sides this yr will imply many will view them as simple pickings.
Injuries/suspensions: Will Kennedy (hamstring, finals), Teig Wilton (knee, season), Kade Dykes (knee, season), Dale Finucane (bicep, season)
Run residence: Raiders (h)
8. CANBERRA RAIDERS
Last week’s rating: eighth (no motion)
Analysis: They tried laborious in opposition to an impressive Broncos aspect and if it wasn’t for a Jordan Rapana mind fade and a questionable refereeing choice, they’d have gone near profitable. The equation is straightforward. Beat the Sharks and never solely play finals footy, however lock in a house recreation at GIO Stadium within the first week. The Raiders play within the ultimate recreation of the common season, so there’s an opportunity a finals spot may already be clinched if the Cowboys lose to the Panthers on Saturday evening. Many consider the Raiders will likely be making up the numbers in the event that they make finals, and it’s laborious to disagree contemplating their terrible for and in opposition to and lack of killer intuition, however Canberra are a gritty outfit and a kind of sides who can measure as much as anybody on their day.
Injuries/suspensions: Corey Horsburgh (suspension, grand ultimate), Josh Papali’i (biceps, season), Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure, indefinite), Albert Hopoate (ribs, indefinite), Danny Levi (jaw, season), Elijah Anderson (knee, season)
Run residence: Sharks (a)
9. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Last week’s rating: ninth (no motion)
Analysis: With all of the turmoil surrounding this membership over the previous week-and-a-half, I’m sure the Rabbitohs are eager to only get out and play on Friday evening after a bye week in Round 26. It is a do-or-die situation for Souths, who will progress to the finals in the event that they defeat the Roosters, nevertheless will miss out if they’ll’t get the job performed. That consequence can be a reasonably embarrassing finish to a season which promised a lot, particularly after Souths had been sitting prime of the desk after 11 rounds. Their star fullback Latrell Mitchell will miss one recreation by means of suspension, changed by the dependable Blake Taaffe. If the Bunnies can flip their type round and handle a win in opposition to their arch rivals, they’ve the workforce on paper to problem for a premiership. However on present type, it’s laborious to be too assured they’ll even get previous the red-hot Chooks.
Injuries/suspensions: Jed Cartwright (again, TBC), Latrell Mitchell (suspension, Round 27), Tom Burgess (suspension, finals).
Run residence: Roosters (h)
10. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Last week’s rating: tenth (no motion)
Analysis: A yr of peaks and troughs for Cowboys followers however they’re nonetheless alive, simply. After dropping three in a row, they discovered themselves again within the winners’ circle final week with a victory in opposition to the Dolphins. The finish rating was 34-10 however it may have been rather more decisive had the Cowboys capitalised on all their probabilities. They tackle the Panthers in Round 27, however it seems as if the defending champions received’t relaxation many gamers like they did within the corresponding conflict final yr which North Queensland received 38-8. That may change although if Brisbane win on Thursday to gather the minor premiership. Even with a win in opposition to Penrith, who they did beat earlier this season (sans Origin stars), the Cowboys will want different outcomes to go their method to sneak into the eight. If they miss out, it’ll depend as a irritating 2023 marketing campaign for final yr’s preliminary finalists, which finally might be attributed all the way down to their poor begin to the season. Alternatively, if they’ll handle to nab a finals berth, their type in the midst of the season says they should be thought-about a dwell risk by any aspect.
Injuries/suspensions: Semi Valemei (knee, TBC), Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder, finals), Valentine Holmes (suspended, finals), Tom Chester (knee, season)
Run residence: Panthers (a)
11. PARRAMATTA EELS
Last week’s rating: twelfth (up one spot)
Analysis: It was just a little too late, however the Eels performed a few of their finest footy of the season within the upset win over the Panthers, incomes them a soar to eleventh on these rankings. It needed to be irritating as a Parramatta fan to observe that efficiency, figuring out their aspect has been robbing them of seeing their finest footy for a lot of the yr. The Eels had been the primary membership for the reason that 2018 Cowboys to overlook the finals the yr following a grand ultimate. There had been various excuses, together with suspensions and accidents late within the season to key gamers and a troublesome draw, however finally, 2023 will likely be mirrored upon as very disappointing. With the win over the Panthers within the battle of the west, no less than they completed on a excessive and may take some momentum into subsequent season.
Run residence: bye
12. MANLY SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rating: eleventh (down one spot)
Analysis: Manly had been enjoying for pleasure in opposition to the battling Bulldogs and did sufficient to win however it was a scrappy affair. Gordon Chan Kum Tong made his NRL debut in opposition to Canterbury after years of toiling in reserve grade and booted a penalty purpose on the dying. It’s one of many few feel-good tales in coach Anthony Seibold’s first season on the helm. Josh Schuster has didn’t dwell as much as his price ticket and star fullback Tom Trbojevic suffered a season-ending harm in Origin. The Sea Eagles will look to complete their season on a excessive in opposition to a Wests Tigers outfit lacking their injured No. 7 Luke Brooks who’s heading to Brookvale subsequent season to accomplice Daly Cherry-Evans within the halves.
Injuries/suspensions: Taniela Paseka (knee, finals), Josh Aloiai (shoulder, season), Tom Trbojevic (pectoral, season), Matt Lodge (knee, season), Reuben Garrick (again, season), Cooper Johns (biceps, season), Karl Lawton (shoulder, season)
Run residence: Tigers (h)
13. GOLD COAST TITANS
Last week’s rating: thirteenth (no motion)
Analysis: The Titans trailed by simply two factors early within the second half in opposition to the Melbourne Storm earlier than Craig Bellamy’s aspect turned it on and scored 19 unanswered factors in quarter-hour.
However, the injection of Keano Kini within the second half supplied a new-found spark within the Gold Coast assault as AJ Brimson was shifted to the centres.
Kini will look to reprise that function on Sunday in opposition to the Bulldogs as he begins on the bench with Brimson retaining his place at fullback.
The ahead pack has additionally been bolstered by the return of barnstorming prop Moeaki Fotuaika.
Interim coach Jim Lenihan can even wish to wrap up his tenure with a win in entrance of the Titans’ residence followers earlier than the Des Hasler period will get underway.
Injuries/suspensions: Jayden Campbell (knee, season), Sam Verrills (shoulder, season), Beau Fermor (knee, season), Phil Sami (foot, season), Erin Clark (shoulder, season), Isaac Liu (finger, season), Tanah Boyd (shoulder, subsequent season).
Run residence: Bulldogs (h)
14. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Last week’s rating: 14th (no motion)
Analysis: Playing away to the Warriors was at all times going to be a troublesome ask for the Dragons and that’s precisely the way it transpired, with the workforce taking 61 minutes earlier than scoring their first factors of the sport.
The Dragons missed an alarming 17 extra tackles than the Warriors did and the difficulty should be rectified if they’re to have any hope of beating the red-hot Newcastle Knights on Saturday.
Jack de Belin returns to the beginning lineup for the ultimate recreation of the season and can hope to supply some added chew to the ahead pack.
For Dragons followers, Shane Flanagan can’t get his ft underneath the desk quick sufficient.
Injuries/suspensions: Tyrell Fuimaono (hip, season), Cody Ramsey (sickness, season), Jaydn Su’A (shoulder, season), Jack Bird (shoulder, season)
Run residence: Knights (h)
15. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rating: fifteenth (no motion)
Analysis: The Dolphins ran right into a rampant Cowboys aspect who had all the pieces to play for and got here up effectively brief in a 24-point loss.
However, Wayne Bennett’s aspect have surpassed all expectations by ending effectively away from the wood spoon and are assured of a 14th-place end on the minimal.
Bennett will little question welcome the return of skipper Jesse Bromwich into the forwards for his or her ultimate recreation of the season as they host the Warriors, who’ve already sealed a house finals recreation and have considerably reshuffled their workforce.
The Dolphins could have been left to rue a big casualty ward all through the season, however Bennett and the workforce’s devoted followers might be extremely pleased with the workforce’s efforts of their debut season.
Injuries/suspensions: Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder, season), Ray Stone (toe, season), Brenko Lee (leg, indefinite), Tom Gilbert (shoulder, season), Robert Jennings (knee, season).
Run residence: Warriors (h)
16. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rating: seventeenth (up one spot)
Analysis: Benji Marshall and Tigers got here crashing again all the way down to earth following their dramatic win over the Dolphins and had been pumped by the resurgent Roosters final week. Apisai Koroisau copped a late shot within the loss, which noticed Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves cop a four-game ban after dropping on the judiciary, however he shook it off and can begin at halfback once more of their ultimate recreation. Only an entire thrashing from Manly, and the Dragons upstaging Newcastle, will hand the Tigers a second straight spoon. The sooner 2024 arrives the higher for long-suffering Tigers followers.
Injuries/suspensions: Adam Doueihi (knee, season), Jake Simpkin (head knock, TBC)
Run residence: Sea Eagles (a)
17. CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Last week’s rating: sixteenth (down one spot)
Analysis: The Bulldogs are formally at all-time low with the membership engulfed in turmoil this week amid studies gamers have walked out and stop earlier than season’s finish. They received’t gather a second wood spoon in three years however it positive seems like Canterbury are sitting on the backside of the pile. They weren’t horrible in a 42-24 loss to the Sea Eagles final weekend however the NRL’s worst defensive workforce nonetheless leaked effectively above their common of 31.5 factors conceded per recreation heading into the conflict. They’re limping to Mad Monday amid studies of participant unrest on the membership attributable to rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo coaching them too laborious. But Ciraldo and Canterbury basic supervisor Phil Gould got here out this week and doubled down by declaring that rolling the sleeves up is the one method out of this mess. The Dogs end with an away recreation in opposition to the Gold Coast who’ve the third-worst defence within the competitors – count on loads of tries.
Injuries/suspensions: Karl Oloapu (neck, indefinite), Ryan Sutton (neck, indefinite)
Run residence: Titans (a)
Source: www.foxsports.com.au