NRL Power Rankings: Warriors narrowly hang onto top 8 despite winless streak
07/05/2024 04:00
The One NZ Warriors have gone winless through the past four weeks of competition - they have struggled to create chances on attack, causing fans to voice their frustrations online around that predictability on the field.
Back in Round 6, the Wahs managed to remain second in SENZ's weekly power rankings. Fast forward a few weeks, they're now slipping to a point where they face being on the outside looking in, reflecting their 3-1-5 record and 14th position on the official NRL ladder.
So, where does your team currently sit in the rankings? The SENZ League team of play-by-play caller Sam Hewat, plus experts Blake Ayshford and Anthony Gelling, have done the math following Round 9 of the NRL.
Here's how they saw each matchup:
Panthers def. Rabbitohs 42-12
Up 12-0 in the first ten minutes, many were thinking the sacking of Jason Demetriou midway through the week might be sparking something underneath the South Sydney belly.
Alas, the Panthers weathered the early storm before going about their work in usual fashion. As has been the case for most of 2024, they did it without star halfback Nathan Cleary and have once again emerged as the out-and-out favourite to win the Premiership in 2024.
Blake Ayshford: Panthers (2) Rabbitohs (0)
Anthony Gelling: Panthers (3) Rabbitohs (0)
Sam Hewat: Panthers (3) Rabbitohs (0)
Raiders def. Sea Eagles 26-24
The Canberra Raiders completed the comeback of the season so far, fighting their way back from 24-6 down to win 26-24 in the final minutes, thanks to a try from Hudson Young.
The Raiders continue to surprise without star half Jamal Fogarty, and Ricky Stuart's trust in the young guns paid off.
For Manly, it's another disappointing result against a team they will feel they should have beat - had the score continued to climb when up by 22 points, it perhaps would have been their "statement" game for the 2024.
Instead, they slip down the power rankings and still have question marks around whether they are genuine Premiership contenders.
Blake Ayshford: Raiders (1) Sea Eagles (0)
Anthony Gelling: Raiders (2) Sea Eagles (0)
Sam Hewat: Raiders (1) Sea Eagles (0)
Roosters def. Broncos 40-18
The Roosters are building nicely through nine rounds of the 2024 season and Friday night at Suncorp Stadium was no different.
Looking to beat the Broncos for the second time this year, they came out of the blocks firing, going up 18-6 at halftime thanks to Angus Crichton's double. It seemed like the game was in the balance with two quick tries after halftime for Brisbane, but when Adam Reynolds went off with a bicep injury, they fell apart.
Unfortunately, they won't be getting him back anytime soon and things could get very difficult for Brisbane leading into Origin.
Blake Ayshford: Roosters (2) Broncos (0)
Anthony Gelling: Roosters (3) Broncos (1)
Sam Hewat: Roosters (2) Broncos (0)
Bulldogs def. Tigers 22-14
A classic arm wrestle took place on Saturday between the Dogs and Tigers at Accor Stadium. The Bulldogs completed at 89% and the Tigers at 86%, but all of them lead to just 36 points across the match.
In some ways, it was a much-needed win for the Bulldogs, not only because it puts them inside the NRL's top 8, but because it's a game they perhaps would have lost in season's past.
There's no denying the Tigers are a better side in 2024, but it's still hard to see them climbing any higher than 15th on the NRL ladder.
Blake Ayshford: Bulldogs (1) Tigers (0)
Anthony Gelling: Bulldogs (2) Tigers (0)
Sam Hewat: Bulldogs (2) Tigers (0)
Storm def. Titans 22-20
This was perhaps the proof that NZ Warriors fans needed to show them the Gold Coast Titans aren't actually as bad as their ladder position suggests.
Following a win against the Warriors last weekend, the Titans were buoyed by AJ Brimson's attacking prowess at fullback (a position that he is clearly a natural in), and pushed the Melbourne Storm to the brink.
A penalty goal in the 67th minute was the separator in the end, but the worst news in it all was that Ryan Papenhuyzen is back on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Blake Ayshford: Storm (1) Titans (0)
Anthony Gelling: Storm (1) Titans (1)
Sam Hewat: Storm (1) Titans (1)
Dolphins def. Cowboys 28-26
It's still so hard to get a read on the Dolphins in 2024. One week they're up, the next they're down.
Losing to the Ponga-less Knights last week was a real mark on their record, but a bounce back against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville was an upset no one likely predicted.
Jamayne Isaako starred with a hat-trick performance, kicking 4/5 goals as well, as they managed to climb over a Cowboys team that desperately needs to find wins from somewhere if they want a chance of making the eight.
The question also needs to be asked now, how long of a leash does Cowboys head coach Todd Payten have?
Blake Ayshford: Dolphins (1) Cowboys (0)
Anthony Gelling: Dolphins (2) Cowboys (1)
Sam Hewat: Dolphins (2) Cowboys (1)
Knights def. Warriors 14-8 An ugly game played in horrible conditions up in Newcastle, but one that has only furthered the frustration and angst of Warriors fans.
Once again, the attack looked stale and predictable, and despite an inordinate amount of ball inside the Knights' danger zone, the Warriors just couldn't get over the line.
It must be said, the defense was a lot better than it has been, but the attack remains the ultimate concern.
For the Knights, another win without Kalyn Ponga and they're looking like a team that perform better than expected - they're still not a top 8 side, but they most certainly won't be sliding down the ladder as quickly as many predicted.
Blake Ayshford: Knights (1) Warriors (0)
Anthony Gelling: Knights (1) Warriors (0)
Sam Hewat: Knights (1) Warriors (0)
Sharks def. Dragons 20-10
It was billed as one of the great local derbies with Shane Flanagan returning to the club he was sent packing from following their maiden Premiership win in 2016.
He had promised a big performance, and to an extent, he got it. The Cronulla Sharks had been on a point-scoring tear over the past few rounds, and were limited in attack by a St. George Illawarra Dragons defense that looked highly organised.
The torrential weather in the Shire meant it was always going to be low-scoring affair but Craig Fitzgibbon was visible frustrated in the box as his side failed to convert opportunities.
What's most important in the NRL is getting the two points when games turn ugly, and the fact the Sharks held their nerve is a reason why they deserve to rise up the SENZ Power Rankings for week nine.
Blake Ayshford: Sharks (1) Dragons (0)
Anthony Gelling: Sharks (2) Dragons (0)
Sam Hewat: Sharks (1) Dragons (0)
SENZ League Rankings after Round 9:
- Panthers (1st previous week)
- Sharks (3)
- Storm (4)
- Roosters (6)
- Broncos (2)
- Sea Eagles (5)
- Bulldogs (8)
- Warriors (7)
- Raiders (9)
- Dolphins (10)
- Cowboys (11)
- Eels (12)
- Knights (14)
- Dragons (13)
- Tigers (15)
- Titans (16)
- Rabbitohs (17)
HOW IT WORKS
Each week, our NRL experts award points to each team for their performance over the weekend while also taking into account difficulty of opposition, playing at home/away, injuries etc. Points are generally awarded in the following manner:
0 points: Poor performance in a losing effort. 1 point: Good performance in a losing effort, or disappointing effort in winning effort. 2 points: Good performance in a winning effort. 3 points: Strong and dominant performance in a winning effort. 4 points: Exceptional performance in a winning effort.
At the end of each round, the points are tallied and teams are adjusted up and down accordingly. For teams on a bye, they will receive one point from each expert.
