1 CRONULLA (5)
Win-loss record:2-0
Doubts remain about their ability to put on points, but when you beat Melbourne to complete back-to-back wins on the road against last year's grand finalists to open the season, you go to the top of the class.
2 BRISBANE (4)
Win-loss record: 2-0
Darren Lockyer had a quiet one, but the Broncos were still able to get the job done on the road against the Roosters. It was a war and the Broncos won it despite being without big men Joel Clinton and Corey Parker.
3 MELBOURNE (1)
Win-loss record: 1-1
It won't hurt the Storm to lose in the NRL for the first time since last July. It will remind them that - even as premiers and hot favourites to win the title again - you can't take anything for granted in the NRL.
4 PARRAMATTA (2)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Made too many mistakes to hope to beat the Warriors away, but they were missing Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith, Tim Smith, Chad Robinson and Krisnan Inu. Need to steady until they get all of their talent back.
5 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (3)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Braith Anasta spent valuable time off the field injured against Brisbane and wasn't at his best when he came back on. Some big calls went against the Roosters. They lost, but were only just off the pace.
6 WESTS TIGERS (8)
Win-loss record: 2-0
North Queensland hammered their line for the first 20 minutes, but could only come up with one try and then the Tigers came back to take the lead for good. Great all-round effort, but particularly in defence.
7 NEWCASTLE (9)
Win-loss record: 2-0
They looked gone at 12-2 down inside the last 10 minutes against Manly, but the Sea Eagles started to crack and the Knights poured through. It was the sign of a team with plenty of spirit and enthusiasm.
8 WARRIORS (10)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Clearly got the better of Parramatta at home, but so they should have when you consider how many errors the Eels made. Now, can they back it up on the road against a desperate Manly in Monday Night Football?
9 BULLDOGS (11)
Win-loss record: 1-1
After wasting a 20-point lead in losing first-up to Parramatta, they fell 12 points down against South Sydney. That could have rocked them, but they responded by scoring an unanswered 25. That showed heart.
10 MANLY (6)
Win-loss record: 0-2
Butchered a win against Newcastle. They look unsure of themselves in attack, but their famed defence looked like getting them their first win until it let them down as well. Time to stand up and be counted, Sea Eagles.
11 GOLD COAST (7)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Landed in the wrong place at the wrong time on Monday night, opposite one of those St George Illawarra revivals we sometimes see after the Dragons have been bagged all week. Big test against Cronulla now.
12 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (14)
Win-loss record: 1-1
Sometimes, the Dragons respond to criticism, and this was one of those times. They whipped Gold Coast with a slick display in the wet, but the test - as always, for them - is to try to back it up.
13 NORTH QUEENSLAND (12)
Win-loss record: 0-2
Four times from penalties in the first 20 minutes, the Cowboys knocked back easy shots at goal to take taps. They only scored one try in that time. They need a grease and oil change or something.
14 CANBERRA (16)
Win-loss record: 1-1
The Raiders have heaps of courage - and they'll need it, with their injury toll already rising. Despite being down to two bench players, they held out against Penrith. Alan Tongue is a great leader by example.
15 SOUTH SYDNEY (13)
Win-loss record: 0-2
They lost Craig Wing injured in the first round and in the second they lost to the Bulldogs after leading 12-0. If they lose to hapless Penrith on Sunday, that will complete the start to the season from hell.
16 PENRITH (15)
Win-loss record: 0-2
They were playing at home against Canberra, they led at halftime and the Raiders had lost two key players to injury. But the Panthers went on to lose. Coach Matthew Elliott's hair will go from grey to white soon.
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