1 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2)
Win-loss record: 3-1
They've been hovering near the top since the start and now they've made it to No.1. The Roosters let the hype about ex-Bulldog Willie Mason's first game against his old club wash over them and went out and got the job done.
2 BRISBANE (1)
Win-loss record: 3-1
They had to lose sooner or later and it's no shame it came on the road against a rejuvenated Storm. Now they have to hold things together until superstar Darren Lockyer is back fit and ready to lead by example again.
3 MELBOURNE (6)
Win-loss record: 2-2
After two losses in a row, it was time for the Storm to stand up and be counted. They did that against the Broncos and should have no trouble getting motivated this week, for the grand final rematch against the Sea Eagles.
4 GOLD COAST (5)
Win-loss record: 3-1
Going about their business nicely, with three wins from four starts, but the nagging memory is of how they folded in their only away game, against the Dragons. Need to show some steel on the road against the Eels.
5 MANLY (7)
Win-loss record: 2-2
Hardly set the world on fire in beating the Rabbitohs, but the result was never in doubt. They are conceding a fraction over nine points per game, which is four points better than the next best defence - that of the Storm.
6 CRONULLA (9)
Win-loss record:3-1
Stumbling over the line at the death against the Dragons isn't worth a three-place rise on its own, but they did win despite being without some stars and a couple of other teams have slid down the ladder to open up spots.
7 BULLDOGS (4)
Win-loss record: 2-2
Their limitations were exposed by the Roosters. They need to show their traditional Bulldogs grit and knuckle down for a series of big efforts or they could fade out of the finals picture well ahead of September arriving.
8 PARRAMATTA (3)
Win-loss record: 2-2
They knew the Cowboys could find form at any time, but they still didn't look ready to play them. Their defence has blown out to be the third-worst in the competition. Hey, Eels, how about a solid 80 minutes?
9 NEWCASTLE (8)
Win-loss record: 2-2
They are having a red-hot go, but inexperience is hurting them. If they just had a couple more seasoned stars to go with Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley, they may have beaten the Warriors - or the Eels before that.
10 WARRIORS (12)
Win-loss record: 2-2
It's no coincidence that they have won two from two at home and lost two from two away. Sure, their road games were against the Storm and the Sea Eagles, but they are not the same team when they have to travel.
11 WESTS TIGERS (10)
Win-loss record: 2-2
What happened against the Panthers was the perfect example of how even the NRL is and how games can swing dramatically according to who is in or out. No Robbie Farah meant no hope for the Tigers.
12 PENRITH (14)
Win-loss record: 2-2
It would be wise not to get too excited about the Panthers yet. Let's see if they maintain consistently good form over a number of weeks, rather than just two. But give them credit - they played well against the Tigers.
13 NORTH QUEENSLAND (16)
Win-loss record: 1-3
After three heavy losses to open the season they finally awoke - and proceeded to give the Eels a hiding. We knew they had it in them - but it was getting mighty frustrating waiting for them to produce.
14 CANBERRA (11)
Win-loss record: 2-2
The Raiders had enough problems already with injuries, so what did short-tempered prop Michael Weyman do? He rearranged Titans forward Daniel Conn's face and got himself a long-term suspension. Clever stuff.
15 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (13)
Win-loss record: 1-3
It was like a flashback to the old North Sydney teams that were famous for stealing defeat from the jaws of victory when the Dragons butchered that game against the Sharks. What a way to go.
16 SOUTH SYDNEY (15)
Win-loss record: 0-4
Coach Jason Taylor has got his work cut out, trying to lift the Rabbitohs out of this hole. They offered nothing in attack against the Sea Eagles, but their next opponents - the Sharks - don't score much either.
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