Luai twist in Tigers disaster; Dogs rethink; Roosters reality exposed<\/a><\/p>\nDes & Titans saga “Only gone backwards” | 03:18<\/p>\n
2. CANBERRA RAIDERS (ladder: 1)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 2nd, no movement<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Raiders cemented their top two finish and put one hand on the minor premiership with a stunning 20-16 Golden Point win over the Panthers. The knock on the Raiders is they haven\u2019t beat the elite teams consistently, but the Panthers win will go a long way to silencing the doubters. However, bigger battles await Ricky Stuart\u2019s side, after they take on the Tigers and the Dolphins in the final two rounds. Canberra have been the most consistent team all year, but their draw has been favourable at times and given they are a young side, they are yet to prove themselves in the pressure-cooker of finals footy. However, the win over the Panthers proves they are a genuine title threat. <\/p>\n
3. BRISBANE BRONCOS (ladder: 5)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 5th, up two spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: Reece Walsh starred as the Broncos thrashed the Knights 46-12 to keep their top four hopes alive. Ben Hunt and Billy Walters filled in for injured duo Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds with aplomb, while Walsh is in great form and with Payne Haas leading from the front, the Broncos are still a dark horse for the title. A clash with the Cowboys can see them improve their points differential and move into the top four if the Warriors lose to the Eels in Round 26. <\/p>\n
Ben Hunt has the Broncos on fire.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n
4. PENRITH PANTHERS (ladder: 7)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 3rd, down two spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Panthers have now lost back-to-back games after their 20-16 golden point loss to the Raiders after their stunning nine game winning streak. The only knock on the Panthers\u2019 resurgence was that they didn\u2019t beat many of the elite teams in their winning streak and while they came close they couldn\u2019t get the job done against Melbourne and Canberra. Still, given what they have achieved in the last five years it won\u2019t be panic stations, although they have now slipped out of the top four, which could prove costly come finals time. The Panthers next face the Bulldogs, which will be a big test for where both teams are at heading into finals. <\/p>\n
5. CRONULLA SHARKS (ladder: 6)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 6th, up one spot<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Sharks had the bye last week after bouncing back from their shock loss to the Dragons to thrash the Titans 54-22 and keep their top four hopes alive. Nicho Hynes has been in a purple patch of form to lead the Sharks to five wins from their last six games. However, the win was soured by a knee injury to skipper Cameron McInnes and he will be a massive loss for Cronulla moving forward. The Sharks can further improve their points differential with a clash with the Knights next up, which can see them surge into the top four if the Warriors and Broncos falter. <\/p>\n
DCE 350 ‘puts things into perspective’ | 03:24<\/p>\n
6. CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (ladder: 3)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 7th, up one spot<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Bulldogs\u2019 late season form slump continued with a convincing 20-14 defeat to the Storm, which was their third loss in five games. Despite improvements against the Storm the run of losses bodes the question has Cameron Ciraldo erred by changing his spine so late in the season. Lachlan Galvin and Bailey Hayward are the future of the club, but Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney did the work to get the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder early in the season and there is an argument they deserve to start and actually make the team better. The Bulldogs face the title heavyweights the Panthers next, which will show if they are the real deal or not for a premiership push. <\/p>\n
7. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (ladder: 4)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 8th, up one spot<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Warriors cemented their spot in the top four with a 32-18 win over the Titans, but they have been anything but convincing of late with the Broncos breathing down their neck for a top four finish. The Warriors have lost three of their last five games and the loss of Luke Metcalf is proving difficult to cover. The Warriors next face the resurgent Eels, which could decide their top four fate, but it remains to be seen if they have the players in key positions to be a force come finals time. <\/p>\n
Cowboys end Tigers hopes of finals footy | 01:36<\/p>\n
8. SYDNEY ROOSTERS (ladder: 8)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 4th, down four spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Roosters missed a golden chance to lock up their finals berth with a shock 30-10 loss to the Eels. The result was compounded by the loss of Sam Walker to concussion until Round 27. Trent Robinson\u2019s side now face the Storm, who they have a horror record against and the Rabbitohs who will treat it like a grand final if they can knock their arch rivals out of the top eight, with the Dolphins and Sea Eagles breathing down their necks. James Tedesco is in the form of his career and the favourite to win the Dally M, but the Roosters need to keep winning to make the finals starting with a clash with the Storm at AAMI Park. <\/p>\n
The Roosters\u2019 loss has kept the finals race wide open.Source: The Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n
9. NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (ladder: 12)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 12th, up three spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Cowboys looked gone against the Tigers before Scott Drinkwater inspired three quick tries to lead them to a 34-28 victory. Drinkwater was electric at the back, while Tom Dearden put in another masterclass at halfback as the Cowboys look to finish their season on the right note. Todd Payten\u2019s side face the resurgent Broncos in their final game of the season in Round 26, as they have a final round bye and will want to go out with a bang. <\/p>\n
10. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (ladder: 15)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 13th, up three spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Rabbitohs put in their best performance of the season to thrash the Dragons 40-0 in a record rout. Their third win on the trot all but rules them out of finishing with the wooden spoon. Jye Gray put in another masterclass with 277 run metres, while Ashton Ward and Tallis Duncan were also excellent. Wayne Bennett\u2019s men have the bye in Round 26, before their grand final against arch rivals the Roosters, which could knock the Chooks out of the finals and Latrell Mitchell will be back on deck in a huge boost. <\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs can knock the Roosters out of the finals.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
11. WESTS TIGERS (ladder: 11)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 9th, down two spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Tigers were up by 12 points, but blew a golden chance to keep their finals hopes alive with a frustrating 34-28 loss to the Cowboys. However, with three wins from their last five starts, the Tigers are in good form and could finish as high as 10th, which would be a massive effort for the club given where they have come from. Adam Doueihi is out for the season with a facial fracture, but Jarome Luai is finding his groove and the Tigers will back themselves to have a crack at the Raiders next up, which could decide the minor premiership. <\/p>\n
12. DOLPHINS (ladder: 9)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 10th, down two spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Dolphins\u2019 form slump continued with a disappointing 58-30 defeat to Manly which marked their third straight loss. The result saw the Roosters hold onto eighth spot, despite their loss to the Eels and the Dolphins now have to rely on other results to seal a maiden finals berth. Given their injury woes, it is no surprise the Dolphins are starting to fade after a long season that has seen half of their starters rubbed out through injury. The Dolphins need to address their horror defence which has seen them concede over 150 points in their last three games and their clash with the Titans next up will make or break their finals hopes. <\/p>\n
‘I don’t think Madge was too happy!’ | 01:47<\/p>\n
13. PARRAMATTA EELS (ladder: 14)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 14th, up one spot<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Eels bounced back from a loss to the Rabbitohs to stun the Roosters in a 30-10 rout to shake up the finals race. Mitchell Moses is in career best form and the Eels\u2019 young brigade are just riding off the back of their leader to prove Jason Ryles\u2019 rebuild is on track. Next up the Eels face the Warriors and while they can\u2019t make the finals, they can certainly have a say in who does and where they finish on the ladder in the final two rounds. <\/p>\n
14. MANLY SEA EAGLES (ladder: 10)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 15th, up one spot<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Sea Eagles stopped a four-game losing streak in its tracks after thrashing the Dolphins 58-30 over the weekend. They played the exciting brand of footy they produced early in the season which saw them win three of their first four games. It would have been a welcome relief for Manly fans before frustration kicked in when they wondered why the difference between the Sea Eagles\u2019 best and worst football was so great. Their season is still alive\u2026 just. They need to win both games, starting with a tricky clash with the Warriors this weekend. <\/p>\n
Broncos lock in finals after big victory | 00:54<\/p>\n
15. ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (ladder: 13)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 11th, down four spots<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Dragons put in one of the bravest performances in their proud history, but just fell short in a 14-10 loss to the Warriors. The club lost Jack de Belin, Hamish Stewart and Hame Sele to concussions and had to play 65 minutes with just two bench players after 18th man Tyrell Sloan was activated. The Dragons have been brave this season, but there are signs their injury woes are catching up with them over the course of a long season. Next up the Dragons face the Rabbitohs, who have won their last two games.<\/p>\n
16. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (ladder: 16)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 16th, no movement<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Knights are travelling poorly at the moment. They haven\u2019t won a game since June 21. Recently, they\u2019ve become an easybeat, losing their past four games by a staggering 130 points combined, including a 46-12 loss to Brisbane on Old Boys day over the weekend. Adam O\u2019Brien is fighting to save his job but if Newcastle collect the wooden spoon, it\u2019s hard to see a scenario he will be coaching the Knights beyond this season. It doesn\u2019t get much easier for Newcastle as they take on the Sharks in a tough road test this Sunday before ending the season against the in-form Eels.<\/p>\n
Payten chats ‘influential’ Drinkwater | 04:03<\/p>\n
17. GOLD COAST TITANS (ladder: 17)<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s rank: 17th, no movement<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Titans are one step closer to the wooden spoon after a 32-18 loss at the hands of the Warriors. They weren\u2019t disgraced by any means but it wasn\u2019t a performance that lifts them off the bottom of these rankings. The club this week made the decision to part ways with coach Des Hasler at season\u2019s end so it\u2019ll be interesting to see if that sparks any change in attitude from the players for the last two games under his reign. They have the chance to play spoiler this weekend against the 9th-placed Dolphins. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ben Hunt is keeping the Broncos on track for a top four finish despite their injury crisis, while…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":95622,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[7189,18743,70472,64,63,689,7292,21686,70474,651,4428,7618,4562,2667,4532,54481,33211,8089,4565,4430,11096,38449,21683,5334,61783,774,12735,38427,48815,70471,70477,4612,67084,65196,11288,69447,4431,8095,5330,70475,1809,4743,4575,4415,4582,4556,18387,23995,3512,22334,1082,70473,10747,37340,4601,4746,4466,6407,16695,22326,761,762,673,2613,4495,764,158,677,9112,13390,4598,10383,15666,37618,701,70479,13391,7291,7623,4478,1085,70478,26498,69906,23858,69372,85,670,11737,70476,4440,777,776,4539,25295,1651,698,4515,11103,4604],"class_list":["post-95621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-adam-obrien","tag-adam-reynolds","tag-arch-rivals","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-australian-capital-territory","tag-ben-hunt","tag-bench-players","tag-brisbane","tag-brisbane-broncos","tag-cameron-ciraldo","tag-cameron-mcinnes","tag-canberra","tag-canberra-raiders","tag-coaching-career","tag-come-finals-time","tag-craig-bellamy","tag-cronulla-sharks","tag-daly-cherry-evans","tag-daniel-nuttall","tag-elite-teams","tag-ezra-mam","tag-finals-berth","tag-finals-footy","tag-finals-hopes","tag-finals-race","tag-finals-time","tag-form-slump","tag-game-winning","tag-genuine-title-threat","tag-gold-coast-titans","tag-golden-chance","tag-golden-point-loss","tag-grand-final","tag-halves-headache","tag-hamish-stewart","tag-harry-grant","tag-head-coach","tag-horror-defence","tag-injury-crisis","tag-injury-woes","tag-jahrome-hughes","tag-james-tedesco","tag-jarome-luai","tag-jason-ryles","tag-josh-hannay","tag-jye-gray","tag-knee-injury","tag-kobe-hetherington","tag-latrell-mitchell","tag-loss-blows","tag-luke-metcalf","tag-maiden-finals-berth","tag-manly-sea-eagles","tag-mark-st-john","tag-melbourne-storm","tag-michael-maguire","tag-minor-premiership","tag-mitchell-moses","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-new-south-wales","tag-new-zealand-warriors","tag-newcastle-knights","tag-north-queensland-cowboys","tag-nrl","tag-oceania","tag-parramatta-eels","tag-payne-haas","tag-penrith-panthers","tag-points-differential","tag-power-rankings","tag-premiership-push","tag-queensland","tag-real-deal","tag-reece-walsh","tag-ricky-stuart","tag-run-metres","tag-sam-walker","tag-scott-drinkwater","tag-season-form-slump","tag-shock-loss","tag-shop-window","tag-shoulder-charge","tag-show-pony","tag-sports","tag-sydney","tag-team-tips","tag-title-heavyweights","tag-toby-sexton","tag-todd-payten","tag-tom-dearden","tag-tyrell-sloan","tag-veteran-halfback","tag-wayne-bennett","tag-western-bulldogs","tag-wests-tigers","tag-wooden-spoon","tag-zealand-warriors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}