The Rabbitohs can’t hide behind a tough draw if they want to win the premiership, while the Storm proved title eulogies in 2023 are premature
And in an ominous warning to their NRL rivals, the notorious slow starting the Roosters are starting to peak early in the season.
Read on for the Power Rankings after Round 5.
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Walters impressed by Broncos maturity | 01:20
17. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rank: 17th (no movement)
Analysis: The Tigers are in free fall after becoming the first team since 1969 to lose five straight games to start back-to-back seasons. The 46-12 hammering by the ladder leading Broncos shows just how far the last placed Tigers are behind the competition heavyweights and it is hard to see where their first win is coming from as they stare at two wooden spoons in a row. The Adam Doueihi experiment has to end because he is showing less commitment in defence at the back than he does in the front line and he looks like a five-eighth that is disgruntled from having to play another position. It is also hard to remember the last time Luke Brooks came up with a try assist with the maligned halfback totally losing his ability to create tries from either his passing or kicking game. The Tigers will be hoping they can emulate last year when they knock off the Eels for their first win of the season, but if they don’t, as Tim Sheens joked the bye is their best chance of their first points in 2023.
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16. RAIDERS
Last week’s rank: 15th (down one spot)
Analysis: After their strong finish to last season, the Raiders would have been targeting a top four spot this season, but they look closer to wooden spooners than top eight hopefuls at the moment. The 53-12 hammering by the Panthers shows the gulf in class between the Raiders and the top teams at the moment and they appeared to surrender to Penrith in the second half in a worrying sign for Ricky Stuart. The Raiders are clearly missing suspended star Jack Wighton’s leadership and Xavier Savage’s attacking spark at fullback. Wighton’s contract saga could also become an unwanted distraction in the coming weeks. However, the Raiders’ pack which they have based their game on in recent seasons has gone missing, with their back row missing 18 of the 46 missed tackles last week and until they fix their leaky defence they won’t climb the ladder in a hurry. It doesn’t get any easier against the high-flying Broncos next up.
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15. TITANS
Last week’s rank: 14th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Titans had the much needed bye last week as they wait for troops to return from injury. Unfortunately, Justin Holbrook will be without his two most important attacking players in AJ Brimson and Kieran Foran until Round 8 due to injury, with all the pressure on replacements Jayden Campbell and Toby Sexton to fill the void. Prior to the bye the Titans had conceded the most points in the competition and defence is clearly an area for concern. Still, the Titans are 9th and have a chance to crack into the top eight with a win over the Dragons in Round 6.
14. COWBOYS
Last week’s rank: 10th (down four spots)
Analysis: The Cowboys went under the radar last season after being tipped for the wooden spoon, but they have failed to carry the weight of expectation so far on the back of their preliminary final run last year. The 15-14 golden point loss to the Bulldogs was their third in five games and their attack has deserted them after scoring over 19 points just once this season. The suspension of Scott Drinkwater has clearly affected their attack and heaped more pressure on underperforming halves Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden and they can’t get their fullback back quick enough this weekend. The club is in the midst of a forward crisis due to injury and suspension with Heilum Luki and Jordan McLean joining Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and James Tamou on the sidelines. Todd Payten’s side desperately need to beat the Dolphins this week to keep in touch with the top eight.
13. KNIGHTS
Last week’s rank: 13th (no movement)
Analysis: At 10-0 after nine minutes the Knights looked like getting belted by Manly, but showed great spirit to come back and snare a 32-32 golden point draw, the first since Round 3 2020. However, the Knights would be kicking themselves after leading 28-16 in the second half and they were also robbed a try to Bradman Best that could have sealed the win in regulation. Jackson Hastings showed what a smart signing he was by the Knights after putting in his best game for the club and driving their attack in the absence of Kalyn Ponga. Dominic Young answered his coach’s challenge after scoring four tries in his return since being dropped. However, injuries and poor defence have plagued this Knights team in recent years and until they improve without the ball and get some troops back they won’t challenge the top sides consistently. The high-flying Warriors next up will be another stern test for the undermanned Knights.
12. DRAGONS
Last week’s rank: 16th (up four spots)
Analysis: The Jekyll and Hyde Dragons backed up their 40-8 thrashing by the Sharks with a stunning form reversal in their 38-12 win over the Dolphins. It is very hard to get a form guide on the Dragons and they were helped by facing an undermanned Dolphins side, but they showed there is enough talent and enterprise in attack when they get their defence right. Ben Hunt continues to play well every week and Talatau Amone was solid in his return. Tyrell Sloan was much more involved against the Dolphins and Zac Lomax looked dangerous on the edge. Anthony Griffin may not be the preferred coach going forward, but his side showed what they are capable of when they make their tackles. With the Titans and Raiders in the next fortnight the Dragons can catapult themselves back into the top eight.
11. EELS
Last week’s rank: 9th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Eels didn’t do a lot wrong against the Roosters, which is why the convincing defeat was even tougher to swallow for last year’s grand finalists. The 28-20 scoreline flattered the Eels after two late tries, but they were never really in the hunt against the Roosters, who lost James Tedesco and still left plenty of tries out there. The Eels have now won just one of their first five games of an admittedly tough draw and are behind the eight-ball in their bid to go one better from last year and win the title. Mitchell Moses had zero try or linebreak involvements and five missed tackles in a poor outing, while the pack clearly missed the suspended Junior Paulo. The Eels desperately need to beat the winless Tigers on Easter Monday to keep in touch with the top eight and they lost the corresponding game last year.
10. SHARKS
Last week’s rank: 8th (down two spots)
Analysis: At 20-0 up against the Warriors, the Sharks looked like they were back to their best footy that saw them finish second last season, but they imploded to go down 32-30 in a thriller. Nicho Hynes is one of the best playmakers in the game, but the Sharks can’t rely on him to do everything and pull them out of the fire every week. William Kennedy is also back to his best, but the Sharks’ attack is not their problem. Craig Fitzgibbon prides himself on defence and the Sharks have major issues in that area. Skipper Dale Finucane’s suspension won’t help them over the next month and the bye this weekend could not have come at a better time, while they wait for some troops to return and iron out their issues on the training paddock.
9. BULLDOGS
Last week’s rank: 12th (up three spots)
Analysis: They are not the finished article, but Cameron Ciraldo has instilled the bite back in the Bulldogs and they have their commitment and fight back as a club. The 15-14 golden point win over the Cowboys was a great example of coming from behind and winning ugly as Canterbury got in the dog fight and clawed their way to victory. Josh Addo-Carr’s try on the siren to force extra time and Matt Burton’s golden point field goal will get all the headlines, but this was a game built on toughness from the pack and the back five out of yardage. Jacob Preston is becoming one of the finds of the season after scoring two tries and making a team high 45 tackles. Unfortunately, an injury crisis in the forwards could hurt the Bulldogs in the coming weeks, including against a desperate Rabbitohs outfit next up, but one things is for sure Ciraldo’s team are easy beats no more.
8. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rank: 6th (down two spots)
Analysis: Depth was always going to be the major issue for this inaugural Dolphins team and the cracks are already starting to show, with a halves crisis derailing their promising start to the season. Sean O’Sullivan is out until Round 16 and Anthony Milford could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury, so 19-year-old prodigy Isaiya Katoa will drive the team’s fortunes with the returning Kodi Nikorima for the foreseeable future. The suspension of Felise Kaufusi is a big loss and the Dolphins’ staunch defence in the opening month went missing against the Dragons in the 38-12 defeat. The Dolphins will be looking to avoid three straight losses when they face an equally desperate Cowboys side in Townsville on Friday.
7. SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rank: 4th (down three spots)
Analysis: Manly looked like cruising to victory up 10-0 against the Knights, but their staunch defence to start the season eluded them as they had to settle for a 32-32 golden point draw. With Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans driving their attack, Manly can score enough points to beat anyone, but they fell into some bad old habits with their defence against the Knights. Haumole Olakau’atu is in career best form and Jake Trbojevic did an excellent job at prop, but Manly need to tighten up their defence if they want to be a serious contender this season. Anthony Seibold will be hoping Josh Schuster can get back on the park and string some games together because he provided a point of difference on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, Manly face the Panthers and Storm in the next fortnight and are in real danger of sliding from the top four out of the top eight.
6. RABBITOHS
Last week’s rank: 2nd (down four spots)
Analysis: Granted they have had a tough draw to start the season, but if the Rabbitohs want to class themselves as genuine premiership contenders, they are going to have to start beating the best teams more often than they have been. Souths have a horror record against Melbourne, but this was the week to beat them without a number of stars including halfback Jahrome Hughes. Latrell Mitchell went missing in the first half and Souths were playing catch up. Their attack looked clunky on both sides as the Storm jammed them on the edges in defence and Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias and Mitchell are going to have to work out a way to combat that pressure. If Souths can’t beat an undermanned Bulldogs outfit on Good Friday, they are not a top four team in 2023, simple as that.
5. STORM
Last week’s rank: 11th (up six spots)
Analysis: Predictions of the Storm’s demise have again been found to be premature after they convincingly beat the Rabbitohs 18-10. The scoreline was close, but Melbourne always looked in control of the game. What would have pleased Craig Bellamy most was his side answering his challenge to show more commitment in defence, as evidence by four try-saving tackles, most notably Harry Grant’s stunner late in the game. The Storm have also missed Cameron Munster’s brilliance in attack and with him on the field they are always a chance at winning any game they play. If the Storm can maintain the rage defensively and get Ryan Papenhuyzen back fit and healthy they will again be a premiership contender and a scary proposition. The return of Jahrome Hughes form suspension will help in a blockbuster clash against the Roosters in Round 6.
4. WARRIORS
Last week’s rank: 7th (up three spots)
Analysis: The may have had a favourable draw to start the year, but after coming back from 20 points down to beat the Sharks 32-30 it is time to give the second placed Warriors credit where it is due. While being down 20-0 still showed signs of the old Warriors, to come back and win the game shows this is a new team full of grit and determination under new coach Andrew Webster. Some of the Warriors’ key signings including Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marata Niukore and Dylan Walker played a key role against the Sharks, but it is the form renaissance of Shaun Johnson that is driving this team to greater heights. The Warriors will fancy themselves to beat the Knights and the Cowboys in the next fortnight, before clashes with the Storm, Roosters and Panthers gives them their real acid test for how far they have come.
3. ROOSTERS
Last week’s rank: 5th (up two spots)
Analysis: It may still be early in the season, but the slow starting Roosters are starting to crow and it has put the NRL on notice. Their 28-20 win over the Eels was a lot more convincing than the scoreline suggests and the Roosters did it without their skipper James Tedesco for most of the match. Joseph Suaalii fitted in seamlessly at fullback in Tedesco’s absence, while Luke Keary has returned to his best form at five-eighth with two tries against the Eels. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is winding back the clock with some brilliant performances and the Roosters still have Matt Lodge and Angus Crichton to return to their pack. It sets up a mouth-watering clash with the Storm to kick off Round 6 and the return of Joey Manu from suspension will help off-set the loss of Tedesco.
2. PANTHERS
Last week’s rank: 3rd (up one spot)
Analysis: Anyone looking to write off the Panthers’ bid for a three-peat got a harsh reality check after they embarrassed the Raiders 53-12 on their home turf. Nathan Cleary is starting to find his peak form and with Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards also at their best, the Panthers’ attack is starting to click. Even with their attack deserting them somewhat in the opening month, the Panthers maintained their defensive wall and that makes them a very tough team to beat. Sunia Turuva is starting to find his feet in first grade and that may off-set the loss of Taylan May for the season, while Izack Tago looks like an even better prospect than Stephen Crichton. Zac Hosking also looks like one of the buys of the year in the second row and can help plug the Viliame Kikau void. Granted, there are still issues at dummyhalf, but the Panthers have so many weapons across the park it might not matter as they bid for a third straight title. Manly could be in trouble when the Panthers return home to BlueBet on Saturday night.
1. BRONCOS
Last week’s rank: 1st (no movement)
Analysis: Last year a clash against the last placed Tigers proved a banana peel for the Broncos, but the 2023 team look to have a ruthless edge as they showed in their 46-12 win in Round 5. The Broncos have now won five straight games to start the season for the first time since 1998 when they beat the Bulldogs in the grand final and they are looking like a similar sort of juggernaut this year. Adam Reynolds is arguably in career best form and is driving the team around with ease, as every man looks to be doing their job to a T. Reece Walsh looks like being one of the buys of the year and is a real chance to debut for the Maroons at some point this year. With Origin stars like Payne Haas setting the platform up front, players like Jordan Riki are shining in their roles and the Broncos don’t appear to have any major weaknesses across the park. With the Raiders, Titans and Eels in the next three weeks, the Broncos could be undefeated at 8-0 and while there are bigger battles ahead in a long season, Kevin Walters’ side are a genuine premiership contender.
