The Rabbitohs are starting to beat the top sides consistently in an ominous title warning.
Meanwhile, the Knights’ new steel has deserted them after they were blown away by the Eels and the Panthers’ penchant for losing tight ones continued.
Read on for the NRL Power Rankings after Round 9.
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Reynolds handed $1000 fine for outburst | 00:38
17. COWBOYS
Last week’s rank: 13th (down four spots)
Analysis: The Cowboys have been the most disappointing team this season and things went from bad to worse in their 44-6 thrashing at the hands of the Sharks, who they beat in last year’s first final.
The Cowboys’ staunch defence from last year has completely deserted them, while halves Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden are a shadow of the players they were in 2023.
Todd Payten’s side need to rediscover some magic against the Roosters in Magic Round or a team that was considered a title contender at the start of the season faces the stunning possibility of winning the wooden spoon.
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16. DRAGONS
Last week’s rank: 14th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Dragons have now lost four straight games after their 18-16 defeat to an undermanned and injury-hit Bulldogs side.
There are signs that the pressure on Ben Hunt to do everything for the Dragons is finally taking its toll and Anthony Griffin needs to consider shifting him to hooker where he dominates in representative footy to reinvigorate their attack.
If the Dragons can’t beat the Tigers in Magic Round, despite their victory over the Panthers, Griffin’s position will be untenable if it isn’t already as they stair down five straight losses.
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15. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rank: 17th (up two spot)
Analysis: Ding dong the witch is dead and the Tigers couldn’t have delivered a bigger upset to break their win drought than knocking off the defending premiers 12-8 in Round 9.
Luke Brooks answered the critics and buried some demons in a starring display, while the Tigers forwards stood up in their best defensive performance for a long time and Jahream Bula was again impressive at fullback.
The Tigers have a real chance to make it back-to-back wins against the struggling Dragons in Magic Round and finally there are signs of life in the club, but they have to back it up with another solid performance.
14. KNIGHTS
Last week’s rank: 10th (down four spots)
Analysis: All the talk of the new steel in the Knights’ side may have been premature after they were embarrassed 43-12 by an Eels side that haven’t exactly lit the world on fire in 2023.
The Knights missed 44 tackles against the Eels, with Kalyn Ponga missing five on his own and there is a fair question as to whether the Knights are better without their captain at least defensively and in terms of their commitment without the ball.
The Knights have the bye in Magic Round before a crunch clash with the Titans at home that they need to win to get their season back on track and keep their slim finals hopes alive.
13. BULLDOGS
Last week’s rank: 15th (up two spots)
Analysis: Given the injury crisis that has engulfed the club, the Bulldogs’ 18-16 victory over the Dragons is up there with their best and most important wins under Cameron Ciraldo, with Jake Averillo starring with two scintillating tries.
There are signs Matt Burton could potentially become an excellent halfback in the mould of Nicho Hynes at the Sharks and young gun Karl Oloapu was impressive on debut off the bench.
If the Bulldogs can beat the Raiders, Warriors and Titans before the bye, the finals might be a realistic goal once they get some much needed troops back on deck.
12. TITANS
Last week’s rank: 16th (up four spots)
Analysis: The Titans bounced back from their horror fade-out against the Dolphins to stun the Sea Eagles 26-10 on their home turf in Kieran Foran’s return to Brookvale.
David Fifita continued his superb run of form which has him well in contention for a Maroons’ Origin recall, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moe Foutiaka are strongly tipped to make the Queensland squad.
AJ Brimson’s latest injury setback will give Jayden Campbell another chance to impress at fullback when the Titans face the Eels in Magic Round as they bid to get back in the top eight.
11. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rank: 9th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Dolphins nearly produced another comeback, but ultimately fell 31-30 to the Raiders in a high-scoring golden point thriller.
Connelly Lemuelu continued his strong form with a two-try display, while Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa are proving a solid halves pairing in the absence of Anthony Milford and Sean O’Sullivan.
Wayne Bennett will be hoping his side can address their leaky defence from the last few weeks and they will need to when they come up against Nicho Hynes and a red hot Sharks attack on Saturday night.
10. RAIDERS
Last week’s rank: 11th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Raiders put a tumultuous week behind them with a thrilling 31-30 golden point victory over the Dolphins for their third win on the trot to get their season firmly back on track.
Jack Wighton might be headed to the Bunnies next season, but he showed just how much the Raiders mean to him with a starring display against the Dolphins and he will be doing everything in his power to end his Canberra career on the highest possible note.
The Raiders still have live-wire Xavier Savage to return to spark their attack further, but if they can keep competing against the Bulldogs in Round 10 they are a real chance to push back into the top eight in the coming rounds.
9. SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rank: 7th (down two spots)
Analysis: Manly continued their poor run of results with Tom Trbojevic out of the line-up as they barely fired a shot in their 26-10 loss at Brookvale.
The club could live to regret letting Kieran Foran go with Josh Schuster’s career as Manly’s five-eighth off to a rocky start to say the least and Daly Cherry-Evans needs help to drive the side’s attack.
Manly will be hoping Trbojevic is back on deck on Friday against a Broncos side smarting from their loss to the Rabbitohs or it could get ugly at Suncorp Stadium.
8. EELS
Last week’s rank: 12th (up four spots)
Analysis: The Eels finally put it all together over 80 minutes to dominate the Knights 43-12 in their best attacking performance of the season to date.
Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown both ran for over 150 metres and had five linebreaks, two tries and a try assist between them, while Clint Gutherson cashed in with his first career hat-trick.
If the Eels’ pack can continue to set the platform up front they have all the weapons in their spine to get them back in the top eight and contending at the back end of the year, but they need to maintain the rage against the Titans on Sunday.
7. WARRIORS
Last week’s rank: 6th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Warriors were still brave in defence, but ultimately had no answers in attack in their 14-0 loss to the Roosters on home soil.
The Warriors had their chances against the Roosters, but were made to pay for some costly errors in attack and they need to be more ruthless and clinical if they want to beat the top sides consistently.
Andrew Webster’s team will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat against a premiership heavyweight when they take on the Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
6. ROOSTERS
Last week’s rank: 8th (up two spots)
Analysis: It wasn’t pretty at times or dominant, but the Roosters got the job done 14-0 against the Warriors for back-to-back victories.
The jury is still out on the Luke Keary and Joseph Manu halves combination after a clunky performance against the Warriors, while Brandon Smith’s injury scare could add to the growing pains with the Roosters’ spine.
Trent Robinson’s men can make it three straight wins when they face a Cowboys outfit low on confidence in Magic Round, before a mouth-watering clash with the Panthers the week after.
5. PANTHERS
Last week’s rank: 3rd (down two spots)
Analysis: The Panthers have been out of form for three weeks with their 16-15 win over the Knights their only points to show for a lacklustre period following their shock 12-8 defeat to the Tigers.
The Panthers pack was blown away in the middle with Nathan Cleary having an error-riddled performance on the back of it and the club can’t get James Fisher-Harris back from injury soon enough.
Injuries are starting to hurt the defending premiers, who are clearly not the same side that won the last two titles and it doesn’t get any easier against a strong Warriors side in Magic Round.
4. STORM
Last week’s rank: 4th (no movement)
Analysis: The Storm had a bye in Round 9 after their 30-22 win over the Warriors on ANZAC Day, which was their fourth victory in five starts.
The Storm are still experiencing some growing pains with their new look pack in 2023, but they have arguably the most dangerous scrumbase trio in the game in Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
Craig Bellamy’s side will be looking to keep their dominant record over the Rabbitohs going when they clash in the game of Magic Round on Saturday night.
3. SHARKS
Last week’s rank: 5th (up two spots)
Analysis: After an up and down start to the year the Sharks are starting to flex their premiership muscle after a ruthless 44-6 demolition of the Cowboys.
Nicho Hynes is on track for back-to-back Dally M Medals and his back five are reaping the benefits with five tries between them against North Queensland, while William Kennedy continued his stunning form with two try assists.
However, their improved defence is what would have impressed Craig Fitzgibbon the most as they look to cement their top four spot with a battle against the Dolphins in Magic Round.
2. BRONCOS
Last week’s rank: 1st (down one spot)
Analysis: The Broncos were dethroned from top spot on the power rankings after being comprehensively beaten 32-6 by the Rabbitohs at home.
The Broncos had their chances early with Adam Reynolds on fire in the opening stages, but ultimately they were made to pay for not icing their opportunities in attack.
Kevin Walters’ side clearly missed suspended duo Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, but both will be back on deck against the Sea Eagles on Friday night as the Broncos aim to cement top spot on the ladder.
1. RABBITOHS
Last week’s rank: 2nd (up one spot)
Analysis: South Sydney rose to the top of the power rankings for the first time this season on the back of a convincing 32-6 win, their fourth victory on the trot and just Brisbane’s second loss of the year.
Big money trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook are in ominous form, while Lachlan Ilias is more than holding his own as he develops into a reliable first grade playmaker.
With Tevita Tatola and Tom Burgess leading the pack with Cameron Murray, Souths’ attack is the envy of most sides in the competition and they face an acid test of how far they have come against a Storm side they have historically struggled to beat in Magic Round.
