NRL Power Rankings: Panthers make a statement, Manly starting to stir
1. St George Illawarra Dragons (Last Week: 1): Back in business after last week's slip-up, and had enough to see off the Raiders in Mudgee.
2. New Zealand Warriors (2): No Johnson, no problems as Issac Luke and company steered the Warriors to a narrow win over Parramatta.
3. Penrith Panthers (5): Completely trampled the Tigers, and are firing on all cylinders at the moment.
4. South Sydney Rabbitohs (4): Looked good in patches, were unlucky to lose Sam Burgess and Alex Johnston to injuries, but were also very lucky to snatch a win at the death.
5. Melbourne Storm (3): Completely smashed off the park by a suddenly resurgent Manly team - Cameron Smith's absence was clearly felt.
6. Cronulla Sharks (7): Five wins on the trot now and that horror start to the season is completely forgotten about.
7. Brisbane Broncos (9): Some late individual brilliance helped them see off the Roosters in what has been a real Jekyll and Hyde season.
8. Wests Tigers (6): Looked completely second-best against the Panthers on Thursday, and will need to bounce back in a big way - their star looks to be fading.
9. Sydney Roosters (8): Blew a late lead in Brisbane and are still struggling to find consistency both as a team, and from most key players.
10. Manly Sea Eagles (13): Suddenly, the Eagles are relevant again. Two wins on the bounce, one in Brisbane against the Broncos and one in Melbourne against the Storm.
11. Newcastle Knights (12): Squandered a lead against the Titans, and are starting to plummet down the ladder after a great start to the season.
12. Canberra Raiders (10): Another late lead blown by Canberra, whose mediocre season rolls on.
13. Gold Coast Titans (16): Great win by the Titans and they looked a lot better than they have in recent weeks.
14. North Queensland Cowboys (11): Threw away an unloseable game as their season looks to be over before the Origin break. A stunning fall for the pre-season favourites.
15. Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs (14): Out-grinded by the Sharks on Sunday afternoon and are still just one win off the bottom.
16. Parramatta Eels (15): Got a great chance to beat the Warriors without Shaun Johnson at a stadium they hate playing at, but came up short.