SEN's NRL Power Rankings after Round 23

Each week, the SEN League team rank each team from 1 to 17 based on their most recent performance, strength of their opponent, injuries and form.

A team's position on the NRL ladder has no bearing on the power rankings.

SEN League Rankings after Round 22:

1. Storm (1st previous week)
2. Panthers (2)
3. Bullodgs (3)
4. Roosters (4)
5. Sea Eagles (6)
6. Sharks (7)
7. Cowboys (5)
8. Dolphins (9)
9. Dragons (8)
10. Knights (12)
11. Broncos (13)
12. Raiders (10)
13. Warriors (14)
14. Titams (11)
15. Rabbitohs (15)
16. Eels (16)
17. Tigers (17)

1. Melbourne Storm

Last Week: 1

The Melbourne Storm may have won but they failed to run up a score against the lowly Bunnies and prove any doubters wrong that they sit alongside Penrith as Premiership favourites. As a result, they enter Thursday's blockbuster against the threee-time reigning Premiers as outsiders. Can they put a lacklustre month behind them and pull out a performance of the ages?

2. Penrith Panthers

Last Week: 2

The comeback kings have done it again. On one hand, you congratulate the Panthers for winning under those circumstances but on the other hand, you ask yourself how they ended up in that position in the first place. The top of the table clash against the Storm on Thursday night will tell who the team to beat truly is ahead of September.

3. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Last Week: 3

Another impressive performance for the Bulldogs. They were challenged by the Dragons at certain points but were able to absorb the pressure and capitalise on their moments of ascendancy. Unfortunately, the Dogs head north to Bundaberg for their home game. It could be a banana peel game for Cameron Ciraldo's men but the Dogs are 9-0 when they have been listed as the home team in 2024 so it should just be business as usual.

4. Sydney Roosters

Last Week: 4

It's genuinely snuck up on everyone that the Roosters boast the best attack in the compeition with 604 points which is 64 points ahead of the second best in Melbourne. The late season bye in Round 23 means the Chooks have an interrupted month where they can find their best football ahead of the finals. Their record against Melbourne and Penrith still leave a lot to be desired but don't count them out in September.

5. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Last Week: 6

It's been the case for several years but when Turbo is firing, Manly are firing and they sent a warning to the rest of the competition. The first half was far from spectacular but the Sea Eagles' seemingly flicked a switch after half time and that is a scary proposition for rival clubs.

6. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Last Week: 7

Just when the competition thought the Sharks were cooked in 2024, they produce one of the most clinical performances of the entire season. Everyone in the NRL world thought the Titans would lap up the Sharks but it only took one half of football to continue their unbeaten streak at CBUS Super Statdium. They should be favourites against the Knights in Round 24 and should go one step closer to securing a top four spot.

7. North Queensland Cowboys

Last Week: 5

What the hell was that? The 42-18 loss to a depleted Broncos side without Ezra Mam or Payne Haas has cast a spotlight on the Cowboys' defensive issues. North Queensland are ranked fourth in the competition for points conceded with 528. Only the Tigers (648). Eels (582) and Rabbitohs (558) have a worst defence. No team inside the top eight has conceded more than 480 points. This team will likely play finals but it's clear they are miles off being contenders.

8. The Dolphins

Last Week: 9

The 'Phins finally won in golden point and it was Sean O'Sullivan who stepped up in their time of need. The major concern for Wayne Bennett is that whilst his team can pile on the points, they have conceded an average of 29 points in the last two months. A trip to Bundaberg to face a rampaging Bulldogs side is a tough ask for a team who is only a fortnight removed from a trip to Perth. The Dolphins will have to scrap hard if they are to play finals.

9. St George Illawarra Dragons

Last Week: 8

The Dragons weren't disgraced in front of a packed Kogarah Oval in Round 23. Another positive for Shane Flanagan is that his side didn't put in a stinker of a performance following their win over Melbourne which has been a common theme in 2024. The Red V still controls their own destiny which is a huge plus considering where they were predicted to finish.

10. Newcastle Knights

Last Week: 12

Newcastle fans (including this columnist) almost forgot how exciting this team can look. The loss of Dominic Young has certainly played a factor but a breakout performance from Fletcher Sharpe combined with the return of a chirpy Tyson Gamble and in-form Kalyn Ponga means the season isn't completely over. The Sharks in Cronulla on Sunday afternoon is essentially an elimination final for the Knights.

11. Brisbane Broncos

Last Week: 13

Now that's more like it! It was looking dire at 18-6 but 36 unanswered points led by Kotoni Staggs and Reece Walsh has given the Broncos the faintest of pulses. The Broncos don't have to leave Suncorp Stadium for the rest of the home and away season and with the free competition points in Round 24 courtesy of the bye, suddenly the Broncos appear to be an outside chance. Kevin Walters' men will go in as favourites against the Eels at home and Dolphins at Suncorp. The Melbourne Storm in the final round will be critical and it all hinges on whether Craig Bellamy chooses to rest his players ahead of finals.

12. Canberra Raiders

Last Week: 10

Another shocking performance at home for the Raiders who continue to infuriate their fans. Canberra have managed wins against the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and Dolphins in 2024 but have somehow managed to lose to the bottom placed Tigers, Broncos and Newcastle. The Raiders would be sitting comfortably in the top eight if they had managed to scrape together two wins against those lesser teams. Instead, it is looking likely they will be spectators in September.

13. The Warriors

Last Week: 14

The Warriors go up one spot on the power rankings thanks largely to Gold Coast's complete failure in Round 23. Otherwise, it was another case of 'what if' for the Wahs who let another golden opportunity slip. With the season officially over, the Warriors have the chance to show their fans that 2023 wasn't another false dawn and they will return as contenders next season.

14. Gold Coast Titans

Last Week: 11

After a month of building up so much good will, the Gold Coast Titans managed to undo it all in the space of 40 minutes as they entered the sheds 30-0 down to the Cronulla Sharks who were missing their first choice halfback and five-eighth. This team has a rare ability to promise so much and fail to deliver in spectacular fashion.

15. South Sydney Rabbitohs

Last Week: 15

Souths never looked likely against the ladder leaders and despite that, they showed plenty of fight to not get blown away which is what many would've expected. The match was forgettable and the 8.973 fans in attendance on Thursday night at Accor Stadium have already forgotten too.

16. Parramatta Eels

Last Week: 16

The Eels can (rightfully) blow up at the bunker all they like but the fact of the matter is Parramatta allowed the Penrith Panthers to score three tries in three minutes to snatch a game they had no right to win. This season is shot anyway for the Eels so it's all about picking up small victories. The Eels proved that when they are switched on, they can match it with the best of the competition.

17. Wests Tigers

Last Week: 17

There's really nothing left to be said. A third straight wooden spoon is headed to Concord.