Nicho Hynes showed the Sharks exactly what they have been missing with a starring display in his return from injury.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ depth is starting to be tested amid injuries and suspensions, while the Broncos can’t seem to put a foot wrong.
Read on for the Power Rankings after Round 4.
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Cronk lashes Eels ‘crazy’ Gutho call | 00:58
17. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rank: 17th (no movement)
Analysis: After the Eels beat the Panthers and the Tigers lost to the Storm, they became the only team without a win after Round 4. The Tigers were not disgraced in their 24-12 loss to the Storm, but they still look no closer to their first win. The new look spine of Adam Doueihi at fullback and Brandon Wakeham at five-eighth did little to instil renewed hope for the Tigers’ long-suffering faithful. Luke Brooks looks low on confidence at halfback and while his running game looks dangerous at times he still isn’t creating opportunities for his outside men, which is the job of an NRL halfback. With a horror draw in their next four fixtures against the Broncos, Eels, Manly and the Panthers, the bye in Round 7 looks like their best chance of getting their first two competition points.
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16. DRAGONS
Last week’s rank: 14th (down two spots)
Analysis: Were it not for the toothless Tigers, the Dragons could very well be anchored to the bottom of the power rankings in light of their horror 40-8 loss to arch rivals the Sharks. Skipper Ben Hunt’s post match spray pretty much summed up the Dragons’ insipid performance against Cronulla. Defence has been an issue under Anthony Griffin and the pressure on the coach has only intensified after they missed 46 tackles in the seven tries to two rout. Tyrell Sloan struggled for involvement at fullback, while the time has come to get Talatau Amone back in the halves to give Ben Hunt some assistance. The decision to play Jack Bird off the bench was a poor one and he is playing frustrated after constantly changing positions under Griffin. It doesn’t get any easier against the wounded Dolphins coming off a loss to the Broncos in Round 5.
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15. RAIDERS
Last week’s rank: 13th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Raiders can’t seem to aim up in games that they are favourites to win after they were convincingly beaten by the undermanned Knights 24-14. Matt Frawley had a mixed bag at halfback after coming in for Jamal Fogarty, while the Raiders are struggling to get their dummyhalf rotation right. Zac Woolford came off the bench despite being named at No.9, with Tom Starling starting at hooker in jersey No.14. Woolford is not an impact player and Starling struggles defensively at times when starting, so Ricky Stuart should look at switching the two. Sebastian Kris is doing a solid job at fullback with his running game, but he lacks creativity in attack and the Raiders can’t get Xavier Savage back from injury quick enough. It will be a big ask coming up against the wounded Panthers in Round 5.
14. TITANS
Last week’s rank: 11th (down three spots)
Analysis: The Titans continued their Jekyll and Hyde start to the season with a disappointing 24-12 loss to the Cowboys. Gold Coast are the first side to crack the 100 points conceded mark after just four games and defence is still clearly a big issue for Justin Holbrook’s side. After a strong start to his Titans career, Kieran Foran’s injuries are mounting up in a worrying sign and the Titans can’t afford to be without his experience on the field. Alofiana Khan-Pereira was impressive with two tries on the wing and David Fifita looked dangerous in his best performance of the season, but the Titans also lost AJ Brimson at the back and he is a crucial player for this side. The Titans are missing Sam Verrills’ potency at dummyhalf and they still need more creativity from Tanah Boyd in the chief playmaking role. The bye has come at a good time as they aim to get some troops back on the park.
13. KNIGHTS
Last week’s rank: 16th (up three spots)
Analysis: The Knights bounced back from their big loss to the Dolphins to upset the Raiders 24-14. There was plenty to like about the Knights’ performance with their key spine players impressing. Lachlan Miller had two try assists, while Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble had three linebreak assists and two try assists between them. There were signs centre pairing Dane Gagai and Bradman Best could finally deliver on their promise as a duo with both grabbing a try and missing just one tackle between them. However, it was the team’s much improved defence that would have impressed under pressure coach Adam O’Brien. If they can keep up that type of showing without the ball, the return of Kalyn Ponga will only help their improved attack. Newcastle face a litmus test of where they are at against the Sea Eagles next up.
12. BULLDOGS
Last week’s rank: 7th (down five spots)
Analysis: After back-to-back wins against the Storm and Tigers, the Bulldogs received a reality check in a disappointing 16-14 loss to the Warriors. The Warriors are a tough assignment at home, but the Bulldogs would have been hoping for more from their attack and especially their halves. Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan had zero try involvements between them, while Reed Mahoney had an error-riddled performance at hooker and the Bulldogs need more from their chief playmakers. Granted their defence was solid for the third straight week, but if the Bulldogs want to play finals they can’t afford to drop games like this against the Warriors, despite the fact they are in the top four. Cameron Ciraldo’s side will be looking to bounce back against the rising Cowboys in a crucial clash to round out Round 5.
11. STORM
Last week’s rank: 12th (up one spot)
Analysis: It wasn’t perfect, but the Storm got back in the winner’s circle after back-to-back defeats with a 24-12 win over the Tigers. Cameron Munster provided the attacking spark they Storm have been missing with a try and a try assist, while he looked dangerous with his running game. Jonah Pezet looked dangerous at halfback, but he still has work to do on his defence. Justin Olam was back to his damaging best and Nick Meaney was much improved at fullback, while Eliesa Katoa put in his best showing in a Storm jersey. The Storm face a huge test against the Rabbitohs in a middle of the table clash on Friday night that is crucial for both teams after slow starts to their 2023 campaigns.
10. COWBOYS
Last week’s rank: 9th (down one spot)
Analysis: After back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Warriors, the Cowboys got back to their winning ways with a convincing 24-12 win over the Titans. Tom Chester was impressive for the Cowboys at fullback with a try and 100 metres in an assured display in the No.1 jersey, while Valentine Holmes was back to his best at centre with a try and over 200 metres. Chad Townsend controlled proceedings with two try assists, while Tom Dearden was explosive with his running game with 106 run metres. Jeremiah Nanai put in his best performance since committing to the club long-term, but the club still need more from skipper Jason Taumalolo and the rest of their pack with James Tamou now out for an extended period.
9. EELS
Last week’s rank: 15th (up six places)
Analysis: The Eels were staring at four straight losses to start the season, but Mitchell Moses stepped up in the most dramatic circumstances in their 17-16 win over the Panthers. The Eels looked to have the game locked up in regular time, before a stunning Nathan Cleary two-point field goal forced extra time. However, fresh off signing a monster extension, Mitchell Moses delivered with a golden point field goal to seal an epic win. The Eels have been in every game this season, but have found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, but a big win over the Panthers will do wonders for their confidence. Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo were immense for the Eels up front and they will miss the latter due to suspension for the next fortnight. Unfortunately, the Eels will have to do it all again against the surging Roosters in a blockbuster clash to open Round 5 on Thursday night, but if they win their season is firmly back on track.
8. SHARKS
Last week’s rank: 10th (up two spots)
Analysis: Reigning Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes showed the Sharks exactly what they have been missing in his first game of the season to lead the side to a 40-8 thrashing of the Dragons. Hynes had four try assists and a whopping seven linebreak assists to tear the Dragons to pieces on the edges. When your speed men out wide are scoring tries your attack is generally humming and the Sharks’ back five had six of the seven tries, while Briton Nikora grabbed the other on the edge. Craig Fitzgibbon would also be impressed with his side’s much improved defence, but that could have also had a lot to do with the Dragons’ woeful attack. The Sharks can continue their rise up the ladder with a win over the Warriors in Round 5.
7. WARRIORS
Last week’s rank: 8th (up one spot)
Analysis: The Warriors continued their strong start to the season with a narrow 16-14 win over the Bulldogs and they are now one of just three teams with at least three wins in 2023. A soft draw is the caveat on their top four place at this stage, which is why they find themselves at seventh on the power rankings. Shaun Johnson is rediscovering his mojo after scoring a try and setting up another in another strong performance against the Bulldogs. Viliami Vailea was dangerous in the centres scoring a try to go with a try assist and two linebreak assists. Addin Fonua-Blake and Jackson Ford are setting the platform up front and the Warriors are much improved defensively under Andrew Webster. However, there are sterner tests ahead for the Warriors starting with the Sharks at home in Round 5, which will show just how far they have come.
6. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rank: 3rd (down three spots)
Analysis: The Dolphins’ dream start to the season came to an end with their narrow 18-12 loss to the Broncos in front of a packed crowd at Suncorp Stadium. Wayne Bennett’s side showed plenty of grit in defence, but missed young gun five-eighth Isaiya Katoa due to an elbow injury and they lost halfback Sean O’Sullivan to a long-term injury during the game. Anthony Milford set up one try, but the Dolphins will need a lot more from him in the coming months in O’Sullivan’s absence. The Dolphins have missed hooker Jeremy Marshall-King during his suspension and will now be without key forward Felise Kaufusi for four games due to suspension. Depth was always going to be the big question mark for this inaugural Dolphins side and already it is being tested. However, they can get back in the winner’s circle against a Dragons side struggling with confidence in Round 5.
5. ROOSTERS
Last week’s rank: 5th (no movement)
Analysis: The Roosters had the bye in Round 4 after their thrilling 20-18 win over Souths got their season back on track. Trent Robinson’s side are notoriously slow starters, but they face a huge three weeks against the Eels, Storm and Sharks which will show where this team is at. The Roosters are targeting a top four finish and a first title since 2019, but they can’t afford to drop too many games early or they will be playing catch-up. Still, if they can get some luck with injuries, there are signs this side is building nicely in the lead-up to the Origin period. They will get back Joseph Manu, Nathan Brown and Matt Lodge by Round 7 and Angus Crichton is building to a return, which will be a massive boost for the club.
4. SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rank: 4th (no movement)
Analysis: The Sea Eagles may have lost their first game of the season to the Rabbitohs in a golden point thriller, but they can feel hard done by that they didn’t get the result. Manly were robbed by a brutal forward pass call that the NRL admitted they got wrong, allowing Lachlan Ilias to slot the match winning field goal in extra time. Tom Trbojevic looked dangerous at the back and Daly Cherry-Evans controlled proceedings, but Manly still need more creativity from five-eighth Josh Schuster, who struggled to get into the game in attack. Still, to hold this Souths side to 13 points shows that Manly have turned a corner defensively from last season and when their attack clicks they will be very hard to beat. Anthony Seibold’s men will back themselves to get back in the winner’s circle against the Knights in Mudgee on Saturday.
3. PANTHERS
Last week’s rank: 2nd (down one spot)
Analysis: They might be the back-to-back defending premiers and only lost their two games so far this season by a point, but it is clear this is not the same Panthers team that won the last two titles. The Panthers have failed to score over 16 points in three games this season and that continued in their 16-17 loss to the Eels. After the key departures of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, their attack is still clearly a work in progress. Luckily they still have the brilliance of Nathan Cleary, who nearly pulled a win out of his arse with an astonishing clutch two-point field goal to force extra time. Stephen Crichton looks like he has checked out already ahead of his move to the Bulldogs after managing just five runs for 62 metres and the Panthers need more involvement from their strike centre. Still, the Panthers are one of the best defensive sides in the NRL, so if they can get their attack clicking they will still be very hard to beat. Injuries to Luke Garner, Liam Martin and Soni Luke will put more pressure on their depleted pack and dummhalf rotation ahead of a crunch clash against the Raiders in Canberra on Friday night.
2. RABBITOHS
Last week’s rank: 6th (up four spots)
Analysis: They may have done it the hard way and got their share of luck against Manly, but Souths found a way to pull out a 13-12 extra time win over Manly. Granted a rough forward pass call against Manly significantly impacted the result, but Souths still showed plenty of toughness and grit to get the job done. Keaon Koloamatangi starred after being switched to prop before kick-off and he gives Jason Demetriou plenty of versatility until Souths get some middle forwards back on deck. Cody Walker was at his dangerous best scoring both of Souths’ tries, while Latrell Mitchell was solid if not spectacular at the back. Souths have made defence a big focus this season and to hold Manly to 12 points was another step in the right direction and they will be a dangerous beast when their attack clicks into gear. Souths finish their brutal start to the draw against a Storm side they have historically struggled to beat, but if they can get three wins from their first five given their tough fixtures list, they will be in a very good position to aim for the top four this season.
1. BRONCOS
Last week’s rank: 1st (no movement)
Analysis: The undefeated Broncos are now the only team with four wins from four starts this season after their 18-12 win over the Dolphins in the Queensland derby. It wasn’t pretty in the battle of Brisbane, but the Broncos did enough to get the job done and the last time they were four from four was in 2000 when they beat the Roosters for the title. Reece Walsh is proving one of the buys of the year after producing four linebreak assists and two try assists against he Dolphins and he gives the Broncos another dimension in attack. The Broncos’ new resolve in defence will make them very tough to beat given the strike in their back five and Adam Reynolds is guiding the ship perfectly and not overplaying his hand. The formula is simple of the Broncos, who just need to defend well on the edges, set the platform up front and give good clean early ball to their speedsters out wide and so far it is working a treat. The Broncos will fancy themselves to beat the struggling Tigers at home in Round 5, which will further entrench them at the top of the table.
