NRL 2016: Post-Origin Report Card Part 2

This was our predicted finish for each team:

1. Broncos

2. Storm

3. Rabbitohs

4. Cowboys

5. Sharks

6. Warriors

7. Sea Eagles

8. Eels

9. Bulldogs

10. Raiders

11. Roosters

12. Panthers

13. Dragons

14. Knights

15. Titans

16. Tigers

A lot of things haven’t worked out the way we saw them. For instance, we didn’t see the Parramatta Eels getting into salary cap strife. We didn’t expect the Newcastle Knights to not only lose senior players to injury, but some have even left the club. We didn’t expect the Cronulla Sharks to go on a 13 game winning streak (that may yet become 14, then 15 and so on). And we definitely didn’t see the Titans becoming such a pain in the arse for other clubs as they seem to be.

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So, let’s finish our two-part series with the top eight of the ladder. All positions are as at the beginning of Round 19:

The Sharks are hungry. And who could blame them. Both Cronulla and the Penrith Panthers came into the competition back in 1967. The Panthers have enjoyed two premierships in that time. Cronulla are still looking for their first.

We expected the Sharkies to have a good season, but so far, they are exceeding expectation. Currently on a 13-game winning streak, who knows where they will end up. But the minor-premiership would be a great start.

The form team of the competition.

When it comes to the Storm, we should all know the drill by now. No, their star players aren’t letting ‘Father Time’ win the battle. Yes, they seem to continue to churn out machine like individuals who know their job and do their job with great effect. And yes, their game is built on defence.

The Storm have given up a league-leading 182 points in only 16 games. That’s an average of just over 11-points per game. If they can keep that going, they will be very difficult to beat.

The reigning premiers were expected to take a bit of a hit this season after finally realising their goal of a maiden title. While teams have undoubtedly risen when taking them on, the Cowboys have still accounted themselves well considering they are now the ‘hunted’.

They have had the odd hiccup now and then though. However, with Origin done for another year, we expect North Queensland to get into Finals mode fairly quickly. They’re going to have to as their road home isn’t an easy one.

The Dogs have definitely performed better than predicted and receive an “A” for their efforts. In true Des Hasler style, the Dogs have quietly gone about their business while the likes of the Sharks  and the Storm have gotten all of the headlines. We seem to say it every year, but the Dogs are ‘flying under the radar’ yet again.

If they can get through their run home without too much damage, they will be right in the hunt for yet another premiership out Belmore way.

You may feel as though we’re being a bit harsh in only giving the Raiders a “B” but they are the only team to lose to the Knights so far and almost did it again at home not long ago. So, we just can’t give them an “A” on that fact alone.

They are the hardest team to read in the competition as well, so their lack of consistency also only allows a “B” to be awarded. But in saying that, they wouldn’t be our first choice opposition if we had to play an elimination final. Capable of anything, good and bad.

Brisbane find themselves just two wins from being outside the Top-8, not the kind of position last year’s Grand Finalists would have seen themselves at the beginning of the season. And despite what Clint Eastwood says, we don’t think he would have either. But he’s not going to say that publicly, is he?

We expect this to improve in the next few weeks though as the quality of opposition just isn’t there to trouble them. Or, should we say, the opposition shouldn’t trouble them. Stranger things have happened though. But they play the Roosters twice on the run home, so that’s four points right there.

Again, you might think a “C+” grade is a bit tough but it wasn’t all that long ago that coach Andrew McFadden was considered a dead man walking. He still might be, and unless the Warriors good form continues outside of the Origin period, he still may well be.

If they’re fair dinkum, the run home could present an opportunity for them to sneak into the Top-4, and be one of the form teams coming into the Finals. But, that is a big “if” though. Still, they can go either way on that one.

The Dragons are in eighth place. Yes, you read that correctly. So they get a “B-“ grade because they have exceeded our expectations but we don’t think it will last. The overall grade could turn into a “C” or worse very quickly.

Their points differential is only better than the Knights and they are only averaging a paltry 13.4 points per game. Not exactly Finals material if you ask us. Yet, if the Finals did start this week, they’d be playing. But you’d have to put them into the ‘cannon fodder’ list if they did.

This article first appeared on TopBetta HERE