Brisbane have moved back on top of the NRL's Power Rankings after taking top spot on the ladder from Penrith in last week's bye round.
Missing a number of players due to Origin commitments, a plucky Panthers outfit pushed North Queensland all the way in Townsville in Round 16 but ultimately came up short in Golden Point – paving the way for the Broncos to move back into top spot on the ladder having not tasted defeat themselves since Round 12.
Melbourne's big win over Wests Tigers (despite missing a number of Origin stars themselves) saw them jump into second on the NRL's Power Rankings ladder with four wins from their past five games including their last two by more than 20 points.
Penrith are back in third, but that might not be for long with a mouthwatering contest on the horizon in Round 18 when they take on the Storm at full strength.
The Sharks were the big movers in Round 16 as they smashed an injury-depleted Bulldogs side to move back into the top eight on the Power Rankings, while the Eels, Roosters and Cowboys all enjoyed small rises courtesy of their wins.
Manly fell eight places down to 12th on the Power Rankings after going down by 30 points to the Eels while the Knights defeat at home to a Roosters side hit hard by Origin and injury also saw them drop four spots back into 14th.
Manu the metre-eater
There was little movement at the bottom of the Power Rankings ladder with the Dragons (15th), Bulldogs (16th) and Wests Tigers (17th) all maintaining their respective positions, although the two latter sides are on the bye this week.
