Every Wednesday Greg Prichard rates how your team is really travelling in the National Rugby League.
Do you agree with his assessment after Round 6? Join the debate.
1 MELBOURNE (3)
Win-loss record: 4-2
We're used to the Storm carving up opponents, but having to grind
out a win on the road against the Raiders will do them more good.
Sure, they've got plenty of stars, but they've got plenty of
character, too.
2 GOLD COAST (4)
Win-loss record: 5-1
They lost Luke Bailey and kept winning. Then they lost Mat Rogers
and kept winning. If they lost Scott Prince that would really test
them, but there's no need to worry at the moment because he is fit
and on fire.
3 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (1)
Win-loss record: 4-2
When the Roosters figure out what went wrong in the closing stages
against the Knights, maybe they can share it with the rest of us.
It was probably just an aberration, but to get run over like that
is a worry.
4 BRISBANE (2)
Win-loss record: 4-2
They have really missed superstar Darren Lockyer in recent weeks,
but two losses from their last three games hasn't done them too
much harm. They are still second and now Lockyer is on the way back
from injury.
5 MANLY (6)
Win-loss record: 3-3
The Sea Eagles showed top-shelf guts to beat the Eels despite
injuries forcing them down to one player on the bench. It helped
that the Eels keep finding ways to lose, but you can build a season
around a win like that.
6 NORTH QUEENSLAND (8)
Win-loss record: 3-3
Three losses to start the season, followed by three wins. The old
firm of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen made the Warriors look
sick, but props Carl Webb and Ray Cashmere were fabulous as
well.
7 NEWCASTLE (12)
Win-loss record: 3-3
The Roosters were controlling the game, but had not killed the
Knights off on the scoreboard. Then the Knights scored four tries
in the last 12 minutes. There is no team in the NRL more
enthusiastic than them.
8 CRONULLA (5)
Win-loss record:4-2
The Sharks are lucky they caught the Sea Eagles and Storm rusty in
the first two rounds. Their defence should have guaranteed them a
win when they led the Panthers by 10 points midway through the
second half.
9 BULLDOGS (10)
Win-loss record: 3-3
Whipping the Dragons is not a sign of impending greatness, but
what the win by the Bulldogs did confirm is that, while they have
their own problems, they are clearly better than the bottom feeders
in the NRL.
10 CANBERRA (9)
Win-loss record: 3-3
Considering they had half their squad out injured, it was a
fantastic effort by the Raiders to come so close to a shock win
over the Storm. Coach Neil Henry came up with a great plan and his
players stuck to it.
11 WARRIORS (7)
Win-loss record: 3-3
The Warriors will get a complex if their road blues continue. They
have won three at home, but been smashed by the Storm, Sea Eagles
and Cowboys away. Now they hit the road again - to meet the
Titans.
12 WESTS TIGERS (13)
Win-loss record: 3-3
They broke a three-game losing streak by beating the Rabbitohs and
now they get star player Benji Marshall back from injury. The
headline we don't need this week: BENJI BREAKS DOWN - AGAIN!!!
13 PENRITH (14)
Win-loss record: 3-3
Jarrod Sammut is one of those players who wants the ball in his
hands when it is time to make something happen. He doesn't wait
around for others. He is fast becoming the most important player
for the Panthers.
14 PARRAMATTA (11)
Win-loss record: 2-4
Fortunately, the Eels had the Dragons and Rabbitohs underneath
them to break their fall this week. Is it possible they could
become so bad this season the Dragons and Rabbitohs will rate above
them?
15 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (15)
Win-loss record: 1-5
The Dragons should be paying their fans to come and watch them.
I'd be asking for plenty to take a seat, if I were a Dragons
supporter. They didn't look very interested in their loss to the
Bulldogs.
16 SOUTH SYDNEY (16)
Win-loss record: 0-6
The way things are going, if they ever do come out the other side
- as coach Jason Taylor keeps saying they will - it will be a win
well worth celebrating, no matter which team they beat and by what
score.
