Every Wednesday Greg Prichard rates how your team is really travelling in the National Rugby League.
Do you agree with his assessment after Round 11? Join the debate.
1 MELBOURNE (1)
Win-loss record: 7-3
Their win over the Rabbitohs wasn't pretty, but it was pretty
impressive. The Storm had eight players backing up from State of
Origin, but as tired as they were they refused to let that get in
the way of them winning.
2 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (4)
Win-loss record: 7-3
After a stumble that saw them lose back-to-back games against the
Knights and Dragons, the Roosters have recovered strongly to beat
the Raiders, Eels and Warriors by a combined 100 points to 28.
3 GOLD COAST (3)
Win-loss record: 7-3
They need to do better on the road than the one win from four
games they have managed so far, but it is the sign of a good team
that when the Tigers got away from them they came back to make it
close in the end.
4 MANLY (2)
Win-loss record: 6-4
Coach Des Hasler was justifiably fuming after his team had given
up a precious two points at home against the Dragons. The Sea
Eagles came from behind three times to take the lead, but then gave
it up once too often.
5 BRISBANE (5)
Win-loss record: 6-4
The Broncos needed last weekend's bye to regroup after
back-to-back losses to the Sea Eagles and Sharks. We will learn a
lot about them from from how well they handle a home game against
the up-and-down Eels.
6 WESTS TIGERS (7)
Win-loss record: 5-4
They responded to a verbal spray from coach Tim Sheens with a
terrific win in front of a packed home crowd at Leichhardt Oval. At
the Sydney Football Stadium.
7 CRONULLA (6)
Win-loss record:6-4
They were soft as marshmallows in the first half against the
Bulldogs and suffered a loss that angered coach Ricky Stuart. Will
they fade out of contention in the second half of the season, as
they have been known to do?
8 PENRITH (8)
Win-loss record: 5-4
Their sixth place on the competition table is a bit inflated by
the fact they are one of the few teams that have already had two
byes, but they have reason to be optimistic after recent wins over
the Bulldogs and Warriors.
9 NEWCASTLE (9)
Win-loss record: 4-5
Back-to-back losses to the Storm and Tigers left them with a
negative win-loss record for the first time this season, before
they went into last weekend's bye. It is critical they bounce back
at home against the Warriors.
10 PARRAMATTA (10)
Win-loss record: 4-5
The Warriors, by winning all of their home games and losing all of
their away games over the first 10 rounds, had put a lot of
pressure on themselves to keep winning at home. That pressure told
against the Roosters.
11 CANBERRA (12)
Win-loss record: 4-5
The Raiders can thank the Warriors for making it possible for them
to rise one spot despite not playing last weekend. Fresh off the
bye, they will be dangerous on a cold winter's night at home
against the Sea Eagles.
12 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (13)
Win-loss record: 4-6
Dragons fans may argue their team's win over the Sea Eagles should
have seen them rise even higher, but the Eels and Raiders have both
beaten them this season and have better winning percentages.
13 BULLDOGS (14)
Win-loss record: 4-6
This week's game on the road against the Broncos could be a
season-defining one for the Eels. After winning two in a row they
slipped up against the Roosters and then had the bye. They need to
come out smokin'.
14 WARRIORS (11)
Win-loss record: 4-6
The Bulldogs, coming off three straight losses, showed a lot of
pride in beating the Sharks. Sure, the Sharks were poor on the
night, but when one team wants it more than the other you have got
to hand it to them.
15 NORTH QUEENSLAND (15)
Win-loss record: 3-7
After splitting with coach Graham Murray, the Cowboys have had an
extended period because of last weekend's bye to get their act
together again. It's time to make a statement at home against the
Panthers.
16 SOUTH SYDNEY (16)
Win-loss record: 1-9
Former Rabbitohs boss George Piggins says the managerial changes
at the Rabbitohs are like rearranging the deckchairs on the
Titanic. Could the Dragons be an iceberg dead ahead in this
Sunday's game?
