Every Wednesday Greg Prichard rates how your team is really travelling in the National Rugby League.
Do you agree with his assessment after Round 2. Join the debate.
1 CRONULLA (5)
Win-loss record:2-0
Doubts remain about their ability to put on points, but when you
beat Melbourne to complete back-to-back wins on the road against
last year's grand finalists to open the season, you go to the top
of the class.
2 BRISBANE (4)
Win-loss record: 2-0
Darren Lockyer had a quiet one, but the Broncos were still able to
get the job done on the road against the Roosters. It was a war and
the Broncos won it despite being without big men Joel Clinton and
Corey Parker.
3 MELBOURNE (1)
Win-loss record: 1-1
It won't hurt the Storm to lose in the NRL for the first time
since last July. It will remind them that - even as premiers and
hot favourites to win the title again - you can't take anything for
granted in the NRL.
4 PARRAMATTA (2)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Made too many mistakes to hope to beat the Warriors away, but they
were missing Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith, Tim Smith, Chad Robinson
and Krisnan Inu. Need to steady until they get all of their talent
back.
5 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (3)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Braith Anasta spent valuable time off the field injured against
Brisbane and wasn't at his best when he came back on. Some big
calls went against the Roosters. They lost, but were only just off
the pace.
6 WESTS TIGERS (8)
Win-loss record: 2-0
North Queensland hammered their line for the first 20 minutes, but
could only come up with one try and then the Tigers came back to
take the lead for good. Great all-round effort, but particularly in
defence.
7 NEWCASTLE (9)
Win-loss record: 2-0
They looked gone at 12-2 down inside the last 10 minutes against
Manly, but the Sea Eagles started to crack and the Knights poured
through. It was the sign of a team with plenty of spirit and
enthusiasm.
8 WARRIORS (10)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Clearly got the better of Parramatta at home, but so they should
have when you consider how many errors the Eels made. Now, can they
back it up on the road against a desperate Manly in Monday Night
Football?
9 BULLDOGS (11)
Win-loss record: 1-1
After wasting a 20-point lead in losing first-up to Parramatta,
they fell 12 points down against South Sydney. That could have
rocked them, but they responded by scoring an unanswered 25. That
showed heart.
10 MANLY (6)
Win-loss record: 0-2
Butchered a win against Newcastle. They look unsure of themselves
in attack, but their famed defence looked like getting them their
first win until it let them down as well. Time to stand up and be
counted, Sea Eagles.
11 GOLD COAST (7)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Landed in the wrong place at the wrong time on Monday night,
opposite one of those St George Illawarra revivals we sometimes see
after the Dragons have been bagged all week. Big test against
Cronulla now.
12 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (14)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Sometimes, the Dragons respond to criticism, and this was one of
those times. They whipped Gold Coast with a slick display in the
wet, but the test - as always, for them - is to try to back it
up.
13 NORTH QUEENSLAND (12)
Win-loss record: 0-2
Four times from penalties in the first 20 minutes, the Cowboys
knocked back easy shots at goal to take taps. They only scored one
try in that time. They need a grease and oil change or
something.
14 CANBERRA (16)
Win-loss record: 1-1
The Raiders have heaps of courage - and they'll need it, with
their injury toll already rising. Despite being down to two bench
players, they held out against Penrith. Alan Tongue is a great
leader by example.
15 SOUTH SYDNEY (13)
Win-loss record: 0-2
They lost Craig Wing injured in the first round and in the second
they lost to the Bulldogs after leading 12-0. If they lose to
hapless Penrith on Sunday, that will complete the start to the
season from hell.
16 PENRITH (15)
Win-loss record: 0-2
They were playing at home against Canberra, they led at halftime
and the Raiders had lost two key players to injury. But the
Panthers went on to lose. Coach Matthew Elliott's hair will go from
grey to white soon.
