NRL Round 4 Power Rankings

4 Rounds in, two undefeated teams and one new coach. It is never a dull moment in rugby league and this week promises to be just as exciting. Let's take a look a how each team is looking in this weeks Power Rankings:

1 = Melbourne Storm (no change) - 4 from 4 for the Storm and this time they were impressive against a resurgent opponent. Their defence was resolute and providing they keep everyone fit, they are deserving competition favourites.

2 = Sydney Roosters (no change) - The Roosters are also undefeated, with plenty of improvement left. Winning without hooker, Jake Friend, showed their depth. Many other injuries are hampering their play, nevertheless, they're not showing that it is bothering them.

3 = Brisbane Broncos (+1) - It was a great performance by the Broncos to overcome the Raiders. Their defence was again impressive and other teams can take plenty away from them. Sooner or later though, these draining games will hamper their play.

4 = North Queensland Cowboys (-1) - The Cowboys won, yet dropped a position? That is because the Titans are hardly a quality team and despite several opportunities, they were unable to put their opponents away. This team cannot wait for Taumololo to come back and tighten up the middle.

5 = Cronulla Sharks (+1) - The Sharks picked apart the Eels over 80 minutes and managed to keep them to just the one try. This win also came amid a poor completion rate but Segeyaro offers a new attacking dimension moving forward.
6 = Canberra Raiders (-1) - The Raiders showed grit and determination to lose by 1-point in Brisbane. They do not deserve the record that currently is afforded to them and have a chance to head home to bounce back against the Eels. They appear to have the makings of a contender.

7 = Penrith Panthers (+2) - Wow! It was a no-nosense effort that had the Panthers dominate the Knights 40-nil. Their execution was clinical and more importantly, they didn't switch off once they accumulated a lead. The maturity is growing within their team...

8 = St George-Illawarra Dragons (+2) - Yet another 180 turn-around by the Dragons, as they produced a dazzling display in the first half to run all over the Warriors. Maintaining this level and execution is their toughest challenge but they appear to have more potential than a lot of other teams.
9 = Parramatta Eels (-1) - Corey Norman coming back into their team didn't solve any problems. They were beaten in most areas of the field by the Sharks. A mountain of errors means that they have themselves to blame and need to bounce back in a tough match against the Raiders.

10 = Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (+4) - Back-to-back dominating displays and their opening weeks appear to be forgotten. This team is firing now and keeping the Bulldogs to nil will improve their confidence. Biggest test is ahead this week against the Roosters.

11 = South Sydney Rabbitohs (-4) - Injuries and player unavailabilities hurt the Rabbitohs even before they took the field. They showed fight to keep within striking distance of the Roosters but their bitter rivals were always in control. Handling errors were also their downfall.

12 =  Gold Coast Titans (+1) - It doesn't make sense that the Titans lose and gain a spot but their effort agains the Cowboys was great. They are light on personnel and managed to push their opponents for the entire 80 minutes. Some teams below them should watch and learn from the Titans.

13 = Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (-2) - If the Tigers have set a precedent, then Hasler should be careful in coming weeks. It wasn't so much the loss that was bad (it was in many respects), rather the poor level of execution. They looked losses and their defence was beaten by a faster team. Alarm bells are beginning to sound...

14 = Newcastle Knights (-2) - It was a night to forget for this team. After 3 strong weeks, fatigued got the better of them as they were outplayed by a superior opponent. 38% possession didn't help their cause.

15 = New Zealand Warriors (no change) - The Warriors lost their match in the first half. They struggled to match the intensity of their opponents early on and were always pressured by the scoreboard. The withdrawal of Foran hurt their cause just before KO but other players need to stand up!

16 = Wests Tigers (no change) - After a week of turmoil and dramatic change, the first half pointed towards an attitude shift. Yet for the third consecutive week, the Tigers have been kept scoreless in the second half. Some of their defence around the ruck leading to long-range tries was juvenile to say the least.

NRL Round 3 Power Rankings

Three round in and the picture still not clear. Every team in the NRL has had at least one win and the form is different from week to week. Let's take a look a how each team is looking in this weeks Power Rankings:

1 = Melbourne Storm (+3) - The Storm made a statement with their win over the Broncos. It wasn't easy but as they are returning to full strength, their play is improving and they are appearing to be a very dangerous team.

2 = Sydney Roosters (no change) - Great win by the Roosters against the Panthers. They remain undefeated this year, although they are yet to be tested for 80 minutes. The halves were again great and had plenty of room generated by their forwards. 

3 = North Queensland Cowboys (-3) - The Cowboys slipped up last week, upset by the Sea Eagles in Townsville. It was one of the more surprising results, but perhaps back-to-back Golden Point games got the better of them.

4 = Brisbane Broncos (+1) - The Broncos competed with the Storm for 80 minutes and were unlucky to leave Melbourne without any competition points. This was arguably their best effort, despite the eventual result. 

5 = Canberra Raiders (+1) - A dazzling display from the Raiders in impressive circumstances. Their opponents weren't great, although when they were challenged, they stood up when warranted. 

6 = Cronulla Sharks (-2) - An upset at home by their rivals doesn't read well, especially when they had Holmes returning to the field for the first time this season. They were in with a winning chance up to the end but need to limit the amount of penalties they conceded. 

7 = South Sydney Rabbitohs (+1) - The Rabbitohs have put a poor opening week behind them to win their next two. More impressive is the combination of their halves and the attacking power they are generating.

8 = Parramatta Eels (-1) - The Eels struggled without Corey Norman, as well as being ambushed by their opponent. Back to reality for them now and they need to bounce back strongly if they are to contend in 2017.

9 = Penrith Panthers (no change) - A loss isn't ideal, but it has shown the Panthers how much they have to improve if they are to compete with the best. No cause for concern and like some other teams, they need to bounce back strongly, just as they did in Round 2.

10 = St George-Illawarra Dragons (no change) - A great win over the Sharks put to bed any concerns over their defence. They just need to make performances like that one a regular occurrence. 

11 = Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (+1) - Finally, the Bulldogs have a win to their name and they were great in achieving it. They were made to work hard and need similar efforts like that one. Perhaps the new wave of players coming through for them offers hope on the horizon.

12 = Newcastle Knights (-1) - Unable to grab consecutive victories, yet they will be pleased with their effort. The Knights need to continue to compete in matches regardless of who their opponents are. 

13 = Gold Coast Titans (+2) - Good, tough win by the Titans at home. They will continue to struggle though with injuries plaguing the strength of their team. The challenge ahead is maintain quality against tougher opponents. 

14 = Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (+2) - A surprising win from Manly demonstrated just what they're capable of. If that is the best, then the rest of the competition will soon be taking notice of them on a regular basis. 

15 = New Zealand Warriors (-1) - No surprise to see the Warriors struggle with consistency. Something must change in their mindset otherwise it will be yet another season of wondering what may have been.

16 =Wests Tigers (-3) - The young Tigers were terrible on the road against the Raiders. It will be a week of soul searching following that effort and continual questions around their coach and how long he will last on the back of similar efforts. 

NRL Round 2 Power Rankings

Two rounds down and some teams have already had a reversal of form. A week is a long time in rugby league and here is a look at how your team is shaping up heading into this week. 

1 = North Queensland Cowboys (no change) - Won yet another thrilling Golden Point game. The Cowboys are experts in how to close out close matches. Scary that there is still improvement left in them.
2 = Sydney Roosters (no change) - The Roosters were solid this week. They would've been disappointed that they let the Bulldogs close the margin on them and still have maturing to do as a team.
3 = Melbourne Storm (+1) - Great work by the Storm winning their first two matches which were both on the road. It doesn't get any easier; short turnaround into the Broncos on Thursday.
4 = Cronulla Sharks (+2) - That is the Sharks that we have come to know. They blew the Raiders away on home field and put behind them an opening round loss. 
5 = Brisbane Broncos (no change) - Tough to go down in Golden Point against the Cowboys but it showed some flaws in their play. How couldn't they possibly set up for a field goal in the closing minutes?
6 = Canberra Raiders (-3) - Gave up home field advantage against a hungry Sharks team. Perhaps fatigue from a Golden Point match on the road last week lead to their demise.
7 = Parramatta Eels (+1) - The Eels have won their opening two matches with style. They overcame a long hoodoo against the Dragons on Sunday and look to be only getting better.
8 = South Sydney Rabbitohs (+7) - Greg who? The Rabbitohs made a statement in their first match without GI, with several players making a statement with their play. It'll change when they face a quality opponent though. 
9 = Penrith Panthers (+7) - Another team that put a poor showing in Round 1 behind them. All of a sudden, maturity returned to the Panthers as they came out and performed as they should've given their previous weeks effort.
10 = St George-Illawarra Dragons (-1) - Not the ideal back-up following their domination of the Panthers. Mistakes continually let them down and they need to play with greater discipline. 
11 = Newcastle Knights (+3) - The Knights are back...for this week anyway. Yet again they played with heart and fight for the entire 80 minutes. Other teams can learn a lot from their attitude. 
12 = Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (-1) - The Bulldogs made the score look respectable but their point scoring problems still remain. Injuries didn't aid their cause and they now will scramble to cover for their losses. Not an ideal time to take a "home" game on the road either...
13 = Wests Tigers (-5) - The Tigers looked a shadow of the team they were in Round 1, with the weight of possession hampering their cause. Better defence made their halves lack penetration when it mattered. 
14 = New Zealand Warriors (-4) - Conditions were not great but the Warriors performance was worse. They are struggling for a spark and when RTS went off, they lacked a leader in attack. Didn't Johnson once win the Golden Boot...?
15 = Gold Coast Titans (-3) - Injuries and the playing group torn; pressuring is on the Titans very early. Perhaps a few weeks without their fullback will bring the best out of them. Watch this space...
16 = Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (-3) - If pressure is on the Titans, then the Sea Eagles are in need of a miracle. They have creative flair, but all round, they are a very poor football team on that showing, regardless of how many tries they converted. 

Agree or disagree? Post your thoughts to @scoobystips. 

NRL Round 1 Power Ranking

With the first round completed, it is time to reflect on how teams performed and how they are shaping moving forward. 

1 = North Queensland Cowboys - The Cowboys overpowered the Raiders in golden point, showing their class. They will be hard to beat at any stage this season, especially at home.

2 = Sydney Roosters - They displayed a dazzling first half effort that blew the Titans off the park. Several of their youngsters performed well beyond their potential and there is plenty to be excited about.

3 = Canberra Raiders - A trip to Townsville is never easy but the Raiders showed their determination and grit, forcing JT and the Cowboys to produce something amazing to overcome them. Perhaps the Raiders are the real deal in 2017...

4 = Melbourne Storm - 10 mins of class, 70 minutes of determination. The Storm held out the Bulldogs in very tough conditions. Consecutive road matches makes this a tough start but they're on track so far.

5 = Brisbane Broncos - They spoiled the Premiers party in their first match back. It wasn't a dazzling display by any means, yet there is a good mix of players that can produce something special. It's about making it all work together.

6 = Cronulla Sharks - It wasn't the desired result, but the Sharks learned plenty in their loss to the Broncos. It could've been a different result if they had Holmes at fullback. They need to play with the same intensity all year that they displayed in the first 10 minutes.

7 = Wests Tigers - A great win by a young team, with plenty improvement left. The Tigers did what they had to do and now need to fix up errors, missed tackles and completion rate. 

8 = Parramatta Eels - A great start for the Eels as they aim to put 2016 behind them. They had a good mixture of flair, tough defence and measured play. 

9 = St George-Illawarra Dragons - The Dragons ignited their campaign by discovering their attacking flair. If this becomes a regular occurrence, it could be a different year to what most were expecting. 

10 = New Zealand Warriors - The Warriors got a win, yet made things extremely difficult for themselves. They could've wrapped the game up early, yet let mistakes bring their opponents back into the game. It's a simple fix...CONSISTENCY!

11 = Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - They fought their way back into the match against the Storm and managed to keep them scoreless for 70 minutes. Conditions didn't help them but there are also improvements needed in their execution.

12 = Gold Coast Titans - Not the best start to their season, although the Titans came up against a pretty decent team. They need to regroup and get the best out of all their players. Some rumblings around suggests all is not well in the locker room.

13 = Manly-Warrigah Sea Eagles - A below par effort from a team that promised so much. It is still early days and there are promising signs, but the Sea Eagles need to reverse their form if they are to get their first win of the season next week.

14 = Newcastle Knights - A much improved effort from the Knights, demonstrating that they have plenty of heart. It needs to remain as a part of their play, while they may not have the best players, they will push teams to earn their victory.

15 = South Sydney Rabbitohs - Things didn't go to plan once they lost GI and it is something they will have to get accustomed to now that he is out for the season. Regardless, they allowed the Tigers to make too many easy metres with their runs and need to get the balance of their team right.

16 = Penrith Panthers - Allowed one of the worst attacking teams in 2016 to post 42 points against them. A reality check the young team needed early enough to regroup and keep their campaign in check.