NRL Round 24 Power Rankings

ROUND 24

Three games to go and a lot of fans are growing very anxious with the thought of finals footy. Some teams are still pushing for the Top 8 and are a chance, but it does look beyond them. The Bulldogs are the team to catch, but don't even think about calling them the "benchmark". They're doing everything to play down the hype as their coach throws away lines about other, more "superior" teams. But teams below them are looking very dangerous. The Sea Eagles now have everyone back on deck and playing to their potential. The Rabbitohs were beaten by them and are now back down to earth. The Storm are back with two wins and sitting third on the NRL ladder, whilst the Broncos are on a deep slide. Obviously you just want to be there come September, but to be in the Top 5 would mean so much more. The Top 4 has even greater importance with a "second chance". At this point, it will come down to who wants it more.

Bold = This week  ( ) = Last week

1 (1) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs = 11 wins in a row now for the Dogs and they continue on. Looked in danger after trailing 14-0 but had Barba brilliance again get them home. Give him the Dally M already! Face the Tigers in another preview for the finals.

2 (4) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles = They now have their full squad of players back on the field and are playing very good football. They go from strength to strength and teams within the Top 8 will be hoping they avoid playing this roster. 

3 (2) South Sydney Rabbitohs = Winning streak ended and they were definitely off against the Sea Eagles. Perhaps a good loss to have now, rather than closer to the finals (or even in them). Welcome back Inglis this week and will be focused on beating the Sharks.

4 (3) Melbourne Storm = Won and dropped a place, but they still have a lot of work to do to get back to their best. It was a positive performance though as they fought back to overcome the Titans. Face a desperate Broncos team this week and will again be tested.

5 (5) North Queensland Cowboys = Put the Warriors away but at the moment it doesn't seem like a difficult task. Regardless, they were still very impressive in their victory. They are a team to watch very carefully. Especially now that their combinations are looking better each week.

6 (6) Cronulla Sharks = Did everything possible to lose the match against the Knights and looked very poor at times. Poor 5th tackle options and poor ball security. Were decent in defence but silly mistake cost them. Face the Rabbitohs and need one more win to just about wrap up a finals birth.

7 (7) Gold Coast Titans = Couldn't put the Storm away but did keep coming at them. They're still in the race for the Top 8 and should win this week against the Eels. Have a capable roster but time is definitely running out for them. Tick, tick, tick!

8 (8) West Tigers = Consecutive wins keep them in the Top 8 and their points difference was improved to 0. It was a tough win but they still have a lot to work on. The Dragons weren't at their best but it is their acid test against the Bulldogs. If they want to be contenders, they must win this match.

9 (10) Newcastle Knights = Still alive in the race for the finals with a win over the Sharks. Will definitely be tested against the Sea Eagles in a must win game. Lose and their season is over. It does look like a task beyond them.

10 (9) Brisbane Broncos = The Broncos have caught the "Sharks/Storm slide". They suffered another loss after they were unable to put the Bulldogs away. They shouldn't have taken the two when they had them on the ropes. Two tough games ahead. Storm first, then Manly. Need to pull something out of somewhere. 

11 (11) Canberra Raiders = Beat the Panthers, but it was hardly impressive. If you were watching it, you would have been frustrated by an average game off football. The Raiders are consistently inconsistent. Focus on 2013 but need to get their combinations going first. Somehow they're still a chance for the 8. Definitely don't deserve it.

12  (12) St George Illawarra Dragons = Must be hard for the Dragons to get up for matches now that they're out of the finals race. Coach Price still needs to make the call on under performing players and give some young fella's a go. Focus needs to be on 2013 and beyond.

13 (15) Parramatta Eels = Put the Roosters to the sword in a very high scoring match. Still have plenty of problems around the park which need attention. Their defence is at the highest point on the list. I'll go off early and say they'll avoid the spoon! 

14 (13) NZ Warriors = The Warriors should be lower, but lucky for them, the two below are a tad worse. They had everything ahead of them a few weeks ago and have been pounded 3 weeks in a row. Some serious questions needed to be asked because the wheels have fallen off.

15 (14) Sydney Roosters = Had extremely poor defence against the Eels. They've switched off and are hanging out for the end of the season. Speculation continues to grow about the direction of the club next year. Will Brian Smith last until next season?

16 (16) Penrith Panthers = At home and lost to the Raiders. They were gallant in defeat but still disappointing at crucial points in the game where they couldn't close the game out. It is going to be a very long 3 weeks for everyone involved from supports to players and coaches.