Round 16 produced an incredible string of results.<\/p>\n
The mighty Panthers, albeit heavily Origin-depleted, dropped their second game of the season. The Dolphins<\/a> recorded a seventh straight victory while the Storm now have three wins in a row and five in six games.<\/p>\n The Sharks continue to fall short when matched up, consistently, with the big dogs of the competition, while the Dragons are now inventing ways to lose.<\/p>\n A fun weekend all up and one that has shake up the top four both here and the on the NRL<\/a> ladder.<\/p>\n Where did your team land on this week’s Power Rankings<\/a> following Round 16?:<\/p>\n 1. Penrith Panthers (Last Week: 1)<\/p>\n The Panthers suffered their second loss of the season this past weekend. The loss, although unforeseen, requires a huge amount of context.<\/p>\n Missing several Origin players, the Panthers fell 19-18. Lindsay Smith<\/a> seems to be forgotten but should be in the Origin conversation. Liam Martin<\/a> will likely return.<\/p>\n All the stars return this weekend for the trip to Townsville to play the Cowboys.<\/p>\n 2. New Zealand Warriors (2)<\/p>\n The Warriors bounced back from last week’s shock loss to the Sharks by thumping the Cowboys 38 points to 20 at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.<\/p>\n Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad<\/a> crossed for four tries, including a first half hatty. Te Maire Martin<\/a> continued his brilliant form with another two try assists.<\/p>\n A very difficult trip to play the Dolphins<\/a> awaits on Saturday afternoon. This shapes as the game of the round, and then some.<\/p>\n 3. Sydney Roosters (4)<\/p>\n The Sydney Roosters<\/a> sent a big message on Sunday night in defeating the Sharks, with ease, 27 points to 8.<\/p>\n Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/a> absolutely blitzed Ronaldo Mulitalo<\/a> in their match up. Naufahu Whyte<\/a> may be the most underrated forward, if not player, in the game. <\/p>\n They are in Brisbane on Friday night to play the Broncos in what should be the headline act this weekend. They’ve drawn the Broncs at a good time.<\/p>\n 4. The Dolphins (7)<\/p>\n The Dolphins<\/a> recorded their seventh straight victory on Saturday afternoon via a 36-22 win over the Tigers at Campbelltown.<\/p>\n The Phins surely can’t let Kodi Nikorima<\/a> leave after he was again brilliant. Brad Schneider<\/a> and Trai Fuller<\/a>, covering for Isaiya Katoa<\/a> and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow<\/a>, were brilliant. The Dolphins<\/a> depth is top class.<\/p>\n They host the Warriors at Suncorp on Saturday. I don’t think I’ve been this keen for a regular season game in a long, long time. <\/p>\n 5. Newcastle Knights (5)<\/p>\n The Knights escaped win two competition points on Friday night with a victory over the desperate Dragons. <\/p>\n Fletcher Sharpe<\/a> was brilliant, at fullback, in the 22-20 win. Dylan Brown<\/a> has silenced a lot of doubters, myself included, during his short stint in the Hunter.<\/p>\n Newcastle are back at home on Sunday afternoon when they host the Tigers. A brilliant chance to keep their good run going.<\/p>\n 6. Manly Sea Eagles (3)<\/p>\n Manly dropped a game they would have been very confident of winning, to the Bulldogs, on Saturday night. The 13-12 loss came despite them scoring three tries to the Dogs two.<\/p>\n Tom Trbojevic<\/a> was pretty good on return with 200 run metres. Haumole Olakau’atu<\/a> was a monster, again, and should never have lost his Origin spot.<\/p>\n A huge Brookvale clash with the Storm on Saturday night has major headline potential.<\/p>\n 7. Cronulla Sharks (6)<\/p>\n The Sharks four game win streak was broken via a far superior Roosters side on Sunday night. The Sharks never really threatened in the 27-8 loss.<\/p>\n Teig Wilton<\/a> was the only forward to top 100 run metres on the night. I’m a little worried that a halves combination that has been together for three years is “still developing” though.<\/p>\n A bye this weekend should allow Craig Fitzgibbon<\/a> to ask his players whether or not they are serious about a Finals charge in 2026. Time to prove it, if they are.<\/p>\n 8. South Sydney Rabbitohs (8)<\/p>\n The Bunnies sat back and enjoyed the beautiful, rugby league chaos via the bye this weekend.<\/p>\n Unfortunately Latrell Mitchell<\/a> has been ruled out for the next month, denting the Bunnies hopes of hitting the ground running.<\/p>\n The above in mind, they still start as heavy favourites on Friday night at Commbank against the Eels.<\/p>\n 9. Melbourne Storm (10)<\/p>\n Melbourne’s 42-20 win over Canberra this weekend was their third in a row. Scarily it was also their fifth win in six games.<\/p>\n Will Warbrick<\/a> crossed for a hattrick while Cameron Munster<\/a> scored on his 250th appearance. Sualauvi Faalogo stole the show though with a try, two try assists, three line break assists and 145 run metres.<\/p>\n Saturday night’s trip to Brookvale Oval to play the Sea Eagles is mouth watering. No reason the Storm can’t keep their good run going.<\/p>\n 10. North Queensland Cowboys (9)<\/p>\n The Cowboys returned from their first bye of the season via a horror loss to the Warriors across the Tasman. If anything, the 38-20 scoreline was a little flattering.<\/p>\n Jake Clifford<\/a> and Scott Drinkwater<\/a> continued their good (attacking) form with try assists each. Their forwards should be fresh after a less than stellar effort.<\/p>\n They’re back home on Saturday afternoon, which is a positive. Somewhat unfortunately though they host a full strength Panthers side coming off a loss.<\/p>\n 11. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (12)<\/p>\n The Bulldogs 13-12 win over Manly on Saturday night was their second in a row and third in four games. Signs of a tide turning, perhaps?<\/p>\n Stephen Crichton<\/a> was the match winner after shifting into the halves. Matt Burton<\/a> looked free playing in the centres. Connor Tracey<\/a> ran for a lazy 327 metres.<\/p>\n The Dogs are on the Gold Coast on Friday evening for a very winnable game against the Titans. <\/p>\n 12. Wests Tigers (11)<\/p>\n The Tigers fell back to earth following last week’s heroics. The 36-22 loss to the Dolphins<\/a> was a far cry from last week’s highest of highs.<\/p>\n Jarome Luai<\/a> had three try assists while Terrell May’s numbers were impressive. May was targeted late on though so maybe 80 minutes is too many.<\/p>\n The Tigers are up the coast to play Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Must win territory is approaching, quickly.<\/p>\n 13. Parramatta Eels (13)<\/p>\n The Eels enjoyed a bye this weekend knowing they’ve largely underperformed in 2026 to date.<\/p>\n Mitch Moses<\/a> returned in Origin Two as was fine. He needs to be A++ if the Eels are any chance of a late Finals push.<\/p>\n They have to beat the Bunnies on Friday night, at home. <\/p>\n 14. Gold Coast Titans (14)<\/p>\n The Titans recorded a huge, upset victory against the Panthers. Admittedly they were Origin depleted but every win counts.<\/p>\n Young half Zane Harrison<\/a> had the game of is life, setting up three tries and kicking the match winning field goal. Beau Fermor<\/a> reminded QLD selectors of his abilities.<\/p>\n Josh Hannay’s men will look to kickstart a win streak, at home, against the Bulldogs on Friday evening.<\/p>\n 15. Canberra Raiders (15)<\/p>\n The Raiders horror season continued as they were thumped 42 points to 20 in Melbourne by the Storm.<\/p>\n Making the loss worse is the fact they lead 16-0 at one stage.<\/p>\n A loss, at home, to the Dragons this weekend would confirm what we already know … this is not the Raiders of 2025.<\/p>\n 16. Brisbane Broncos (16)<\/p>\n The 2025 Premiers spent the week licking their wounds whilst on the bye.<\/p>\n Brisbane re-signed Ben Hunt<\/a> and are linked with Dane Gagai<\/a>. No youth movement at Red Hill for 2027 then?<\/p>\n The Roosters are in town on Friday night for what should be the game of the round.<\/p>\n 17. St George Illawarra Dragons (17)<\/p>\n The Dragons were so very close to recording a second win of the season. A shock missed conversion from beside the posts and a horror bounce combined to rob them of victory.<\/p>\n