Soward: Storm back to the top, Knights languishing

With a shortened round on the weekend, I tried to envision the teams that could make a move based on the next part of the draw, form and their emotions.

While I didn't switch too much around, I was cognizant that some sides are facing a tough stretch ahead and others have friendlier runs.

1. Melbourne Storm (Last week: 2)

It wasn't pretty but they got the job done over the Titans with a "next man up" mentality. The Storm made a lot of errors but showed their class and the difference having gone through this period before. 

2. Penrith Panthers (1)

It doesn't please me to say I've moved Penrith down when they didn't have their full squad due to Origin.

But I'll play devil's advocate and say some of the players who are used to their system didn't perform to their best. Their effort was great but those guys needed to rise a level - and we saw the Storm do that.

I think the Panthers have a really tough period coming up and we were waiting to see how they'd handle the rigours of Origin.

3. Manly Sea Eagles (3)

Have one of the most favourable draws through Origin because they've got enough firepower to beat the Cowboys, Titans, Dogs and Raiders. The Dragons will be a tough one.

Manly would have liked to have banked two points against Newcastle before the bye but we're in a holding pattern with some of these teams who didn't play on the weekend.

4. Sydney Roosters (4)

The Roosters will bank some wins in the next month with matches against the Titans and Bulldogs on either side of hard clashes with the Panthers and Storm. They'll start to get some troops back as well.

The bye came at just the right time.

5. South Sydney Rabbitohs (5)

A bit of wait-and-see with the Rabbitohs. They've got a friendly draw in the next few weeks - the Knights, Broncos and Wests Tigers.

There will be some fingers crossed for how their stars pull up from Origin. I still think they've got some defensive issues.

6. Parramatta Eels (6)

Did what they were expected to do against the Knights. No surprise they won by so many. Parramatta's biggest tests are coming over the next two-and-a-half months.

The Eels have got the Wests Tigers in a tricky game this week followed by the Dogs and Penrith. If they can make a statement against the Panthers then they're starting to talk.

But Parramatta can't climb back up the Power Rankings until they beat the top teams consistently - and they haven't done that recently.

7. North Queensland Cowboys (7)

I still can't believe they're in the eight after their first month of the season. I called some of North Queensland's early games and they were woeful.

But they've found their identity and have winnable games ahead, plus three out of their next six are at home. I like the Cowboys to make the finals.

8. New Zealand Warriors (8)

Not sure what to make of the Warriors because they play the Storm at home before some winnable games - the Knights on the road then Dragons, Sharks and the Panthers (out of an Origin game) which could be favourable.

I just need to see the Warriors mature quickly. If they get in a tight contest with Melbourne they need to execute their game management.

9. St George Illawarra Dragons (10)

Weren't perfect by any means in beating the Broncos. The 24 points they let in were really soft. That seems to be a theme in some of their games; the Dragons don't really make teams work for their tries.

But they're not the only ones in that boat. Winnable games are coming up - Bulldogs, Raiders, Warriors, Sea Eagles through Origin and the Titans. The next month will set up their run at the finals. 

10. Cronulla Sharks (9)

Cronulla have a chance to catapult themselves into the eight with matches against Penrith off the back of Origin, North Queensland, Brisbane and the Warriors.

So why did I move them down a spot? Because I feel the Dragons have a touch easier run and I can see the Sharks potentially losing to the Panthers and it's a tough trip to Townsville to play the Cowboys.

11. Wests Tigers (11)

The Tigers were good against the Panthers, albeit with their opponents missing a lot of players. We'll know more about the Tigers over the coming weeks. They play Parramatta, Melbourne, South Sydney and Manly in the next month-and-a-bit. 

The Tigers had a schoolyard bully mentality on Friday night and I want to see that against the top teams at full-strength.

12. Gold Coast Titans (12)

Some would say the Gold Coast were unlucky in a loss to the Storm. I look at the Titans and I think they just don't get it.

They don't need to come up with plays all the time. You can stay in a grind and they don't know how to do that yet. The Titans play the Roosters, Sea Eagles, Raiders, Eels and Dragons next.

I've got them missing the eight.

13. Brisbane Broncos (13)

Really poor against the Dragons. The contest was on but they just lack resilience when times get tough. I don't think they're better than last year. If anything, they looked worse on Thursday night.

14. Newcastle Knights (14)

They had troops out and were on a bit of a hiding to nothing against Parramatta, but to perform as they did at home was disappointing. The Knights are on 10 points and can still make the top eight, but they could easily finish second last with the way they're going.

15. Canberra Raiders (15)

More off-field dramas. Canberra just can't seem to get it right. They've got a winnable couple of games coming up if their heads are screwed on, but I just can't see it changing. They've been awful.

16. Canterbury Bulldogs (16)

The Bulldogs play the Dragons on Monday afternoon then face four of the top six teams. I can't see them winning over the next month or so.

 

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.