Bulldogs’ alarming slide continues as Broncos on brink of 23-year first: Power Rankings

The race for a spot within the prime eight is about to go right down to the wire whereas the Broncos may finish a 23-year look forward to a minor premiership.

Read under for the newest NRL Power Rankings!

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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 last spherical conflict towards the Storm, who’ve additionally not noted a raft of normal starters. Adam Reynolds is below an harm cloud with a calf subject 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 for the time being with seven straight wins and alongside the Panthers, they’re a facet who will likely be a particularly powerful matchup for whoever they tackle within the finals. It’s value noting, that the Broncos have gone onto win the grand last 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 dwelling: 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 last. However the larger blow was the shoulder harm to Jarome Luai. The star playmaker is predicted to overlook no less than a few weeks, probably longer. The distinction in profitable strike fee for the Panthers with Luai within the facet (88.5%) to when he isn’t (53.8%) is sort of stark, however captain Nathan Cleary says he’s assured the partnership between him and Luai’s substitute Jack Cogger will get the job achieved. Penrith have named a largely full-strength facet for his or her conflict towards 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 dwelling: Cowboys (h)

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 facet 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 gradual begin to the season, the concussion issues their celebrity Kalyn Ponga needed to overcome and the experiences 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 towards the Dragons with the membership saying he will likely be nice for the Knights’ elimination last in a fortnight, however will he be 100%? There’s little doubt he’s been the very best 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 dwelling: 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 rivalry over the previous three weeks and all in New Zealand. Last week, they struggled to place away the Dragons, have been tied up at 22 with seven minutes to go towards 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 seem 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 last at some stage and know easy methods to 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 dwelling: Dolphins (a)

5. MELBOURNE STORM

Last week’s rating: fifth (no motion)

Analysis: They confirmed their class late towards the Titans, however it was a lot nearer than Craig Bellamy would have been comfy with inside the ultimate 20 minutes. The Storm have been additionally unconvincing for a lot of the sport towards the Dragons a fortnight in the past, however have been in a position to flex their muscle groups after they wanted to drag out a victory. Plenty of stars will earn a much-needed relaxation within the last spherical with Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes additionally getting some reprieve to cope with harm niggles. The Storm boast a exceptional report towards the Broncos, profitable their previous 13 matches towards the Brisbane-based facet. No matter what occurs between them on Thursday, there’s a giant likelihood 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 dwelling: Broncos (a)

6. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Last week’s rating: seventh (up one spot)

Analysis: Ticking over fantastically for the time being, 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 last 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 dwelling: Rabbitohs (a)

7. CRONULLA SHARKS

Last week’s rating: sixth (no motion)

Analysis: They are arduous to gauge this workforce. Their greatest 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 have been stage with the red-hot Knights final week at halftime earlier than Newcastle kicked straight away 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 secure, nevertheless relating to their title hopes, their kind towards 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 dwelling: Raiders (h)

8. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Last week’s rating: eighth (no motion)

Analysis: They tried arduous towards an impressive Broncos facet and if it wasn’t for a Jordan Rapana mind fade and a questionable refereeing resolution, they might have gone near profitable. The equation is easy. 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 last 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 imagine the Raiders will likely be making up the numbers in the event that they make finals, and it’s arduous to disagree contemplating their terrible for and towards and lack of killer intuition, however Canberra are a gritty outfit and a type of sides who can measure as much as anybody on their day.

Injuries/suspensions: Corey Horsburgh (suspension, grand last), Josh Papali’i (biceps, season), Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure, indefinite), Albert Hopoate (ribs, indefinite), Danny Levi (jaw, season), Elijah Anderson (knee, season)

Run dwelling: 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 state of affairs 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 achieved. That consequence can be a quite embarrassing finish to a season which promised a lot, particularly after Souths have been sitting prime of the desk after 11 rounds. Their star fullback Latrell Mitchell will miss one recreation via suspension, changed by the dependable Blake Taaffe. If the Bunnies can flip their kind round and handle a win towards their arch rivals, they’ve the workforce on paper to problem for a premiership. However on present kind, it’s arduous 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 dwelling: 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 shedding three in a row, they discovered themselves again within the winners’ circle final week with a victory towards the Dolphins. The finish rating was 34-10 however it may have been far 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 towards Penrith, who they did beat earlier this season (sans Origin stars), the Cowboys will want different outcomes to go their technique 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 may be attributed right down to their poor begin to the season. Alternatively, if they’ll handle to nab a finals berth, their kind in the course of the season says they should be thought-about a reside risk by any facet.

Injuries/suspensions: Semi Valemei (knee, TBC), Jeremiah Nanai (shoulder, finals), Valentine Holmes (suspended, finals), Tom Chester (knee, season)

Run dwelling: Panthers (a)

11. PARRAMATTA EELS

Last week’s rating: twelfth (up one spot)

Analysis: It was slightly too late, however the Eels performed a few of their greatest 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 look at that efficiency, realizing their facet has been robbing them of seeing their greatest footy for a lot of the yr. The Eels have been the primary membership for the reason that 2018 Cowboys to overlook the finals the yr following a grand last. There have been a lot of 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 might take some momentum into subsequent season.

Run dwelling: bye

12. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Last week’s rating: eleventh (down one spot)

Analysis: Manly have been enjoying for delight towards the battling Bulldogs and did sufficient to win however it was a scrappy affair. Gordon Chan Kum Tong made his NRL debut towards Canterbury after years of toiling in reserve grade and booted a penalty purpose on the demise. It’s one of many few feel-good tales in coach Anthony Seibold’s first season on the helm. Josh Schuster has didn’t reside 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 towards a Wests Tigers outfit lacking their injured No. 7 Luke Brooks who’s heading to Brookvale subsequent season to associate 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 dwelling: 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 towards the Melbourne Storm earlier than Craig Bellamy’s facet turned it on and scored 19 unanswered factors in quarter-hour.

However, the injection of Keano Kini within the second half offered a new-found spark within the Gold Coast assault as AJ Brimson was shifted to the centres.

Kini will look to reprise that position on Sunday towards 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 need to wrap up his tenure with a win in entrance of the Titans’ dwelling 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 dwelling: 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 problem have to 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 below the desk quick sufficient.

Injuries/suspensions: Tyrell Fuimaono (hip, season), Cody Ramsey (sickness, season), Jaydn Su’A (shoulder, season), Jack Bird (shoulder, season)

Run dwelling: Knights (h)

15. DOLPHINS

Last week’s rating: fifteenth (no motion)

Analysis: The Dolphins ran right into a rampant Cowboys facet who had all the things to play for and got here up nicely quick in a 24-point loss.

However, Wayne Bennett’s facet have surpassed all expectations by ending nicely away from the wood spoon and are assured of a 14th-place end on the minimal.

Bennett will little doubt welcome the return of skipper Jesse Bromwich into the forwards for his or her last 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 might have been left to rue a big casualty ward all through the season, however Bennett and the workforce’s devoted followers may be extremely happy 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 dwelling: Warriors (h)

16. WESTS TIGERS

Last week’s rating: seventeenth (up one spot)

Analysis: Benji Marshall and Tigers got here crashing again right down to earth following their dramatic win over the Dolphins and have 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 shedding on the judiciary, however he shook it off and can begin at halfback once more of their last recreation. Only a whole 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 dwelling: 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 experiences gamers have walked out and stop earlier than season’s finish. They received’t accumulate 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 nicely above their common of 31.5 factors conceded per recreation heading into the conflict. They’re limping to Mad Monday amid experiences of participant unrest on the membership because of rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo coaching them too arduous. But Ciraldo and Canterbury normal 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 towards 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 dwelling: Titans (a)