8 Weeks in, what comes next?

After eight weeks of the competition there is little doubt that all clubs will be using this two week break to assess their progress, check their players and make plans for the next third of the competition. The representative season (May 1st to July 8th) causes real stress for some clubs as they provide the bulk of the teams for, Australia, NSW and QLD. The Broncos, Cowboys and Storm for QLD and the Roosters, Rabbitoh's and Bulldogs for NSW. All 16 teams, these 6 teams included, will be resetting goals and plotting a path to the finals, as they work their way through the next 12 weeks.

(Ratings in this article are based on 10 sets of NRL statistics. Teams are ranked from 1 - 16 in each set. They are then grouped for Defence and Offence. )

Broncos

6 Wins - 2 Losses

Finishing 8th in 2014 was not good enough for Coach Anthony Griffin to keep his job and the return of Wayne Bennett to "his" club was hailed by many as the Broncos key signing. Regardless, most pundits considered that this would be a development season for his young squad, and a big first round loss to the Premiers (6-36) seemed to confirm that thinking. However, a straight forward win over the Sharks (R2) and then an easy victory over the Cowboys (R3) had bookies reducing their price on the Brisbane team reaching the finals. Away wins over the Warriors and Titans, followed by a strong win over the Sydney Roosters at home, blew their cover and no one continued with the ‘build for the future' theme. A strong defence, with few errors or penalties has enabled their halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford to play quality football and provide their ball runners with excellent service. As the season progresses their try scoring ability must improve but barring major injuries in the rep series Brisbane are looking good.

Rating - Defence: 1st. Offence: 10th. Overall: 5th

Prediction - top 8? Absolutely.

Dragons

6 Wins - 2 Losses

St George have been the real surprise packet for Season 2015. To quote one season previewer as they ran their ruler over the Saints, "They just aren't very good." With losses to the Storm (R1) and Tigers (R2) followed by an 0-18 score line, after 25 minutes against the Raiders (R3), pundits were reaching for "I told you so!" as they prepared their write up - but the 2nd half of that match was a complete reversal. Saints went on to win 22-20 and haven't looked back. Their defence has been nothing short of brilliant. With the fewest missed tackles and an almost unbreakable try-line defence, they have kept opponents to an average of just 10 points per match. Meanwhile Benji Marshall, at half, has grown into his role as Game Manager leaving Gareth Widdop free to develop attacking opportunities. The Dragons are now a professional unit, although they still make too many errors, giving undeserved opportunities to their opponents. That said, their under-rated forwards are playing well and Captain Ben Creagh was under real pressure to perform on his recent comeback from injury.

Rating - Defence: 4th. Offence: 8th. Overall: 4th

Prediction - top 8? No Doubt.

Storm

5 Wins - 3 Losses.

Melbourne, like Brisbane, hoped to fly under the radar in their approach to 2015. They still had, arguably, the best spine, with (1) Billy Slater (7) Cooper Cronk and (9) Cameron Smith, but the departure of 5/8 Gareth Widdop had left a gap in their attack, that wasn't filled in 2014. 2015 started with a win over the Dragons (R1) and a last minute loss to Manly (R2) but wins in rounds 3 through 7 gave Storm fans the sense that their team was back on track. Commentators are highlighting the work of Blake Green (at 5/8) as the major change between this Storm team and the 2014 version. Returning from a stint with Wigan in the ESL, Green is now playing the same role at Melbourne that Widdop is at the Dragons. He allows Cooper Cronk to manage the game and provides an extra attacking option for Cameron Smith, who is still the best dummy half in the NRL. And of course Billy Slater is, well, Billy Slater. With a solid forward pack and now Will Chambers as another rep player Melbourne (barring injury) can look forward to a highly productive 2015.

Rating - Defence: 7th Offence: 2nd Overall: 1st.

Prediction - top 8? No Doubt.

Cowboys

5 Wins - 3 Losses.

Any team with Jonathan Thurston in their ranks will be aiming for the top. After making the finals four years running Coach Paul Green could expect good results in 2015 and another tilt at the title. With representative front rowers (Mathew Scott and James Tamou) , former Penrith Fullback Lachlan Coote and the addition of Ben Hannant and Justin O'Neil, Thurston would not have to carry the team alone, as it had sometimes seemed in the past. However, with big losses to Roosters (R1) and Broncos (R3) and a two point loss to the Knights (R2), the knives were out. A last minute, 1 point win over the Storm (R4), signalled a change in fortune. Although it seems repetitive, the 5 wins have coincided with slotting Michael Morgan in at 5/8, giving playmaker Thurston the extra freedom and reduced workload needed for him to succeed. Of course Thurston will be part of every rep team and Coach Green will cringe every time his star goes down in a tackle and doesn't bounce straight back up.

Rating - Defence: 5th. Offence: 10th. Overall: 6th

Prediction - top 8? Almost Guaranteed

Wests Tigers

4 Wins 4 Losses

While 2014 was a year to forget, the Tigers are the excitement team of 2015. They are equal with NZ Warriors for try scoring (31) and the speed and mobility of fullback, James Tedesco, half Luke Brooks and 5/8 Mitchell Moses has every team looking for ways to shut them down. They also have a tough and skillful dummy half in Robbie Farah and a winger who is an all-round kicking freak, in Pat Richards. With wins over Titans (R1) and Dragons (R2), Coach Taylor was liking what he'd seen, but a 14 point loss to Premiers South's (R3) brought them back to earth. In Round 4 we started to see the point scoring capacity of the team and despite losing 24-25, they led 24-6, scoring three tries in 10 minutes after half time. The next 4 matches finished 2 wins and 2 losses but scores of 18 - 0, 22 - 0 and 18 - 0, revealed a team that started every match with speed, mobility and enthusiasm. As they add experience to that mix, the Tigers should have the goods to reach the finals and by then, will have built the week to week combinations needed to challenge the perennial finals teams, like Brisbane, Melbourne South's and Canterbury.

Rating - Defence: 11th Offence: 3rd Overall: 7th

Prediction - Top 8? Strong possibility.

Rabbitohs

4 Wins 4 Losses

The 2014 Premiers began this season by winning the Auckland Nines, the World Club Challenge and then defeating the Broncos (R1) and Roosters (R2). All predictions were that they had set the standard and even taking into account the obvious fact that the other 15 teams would lift their efforts against them, a finals berth was almost a certainty. Since those first two wins, the wheels have started to come off. Like all the top teams, South Sydney has a world class spine (Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds and Isaac Luke) but 78 minutes into the match against the Bulldogs (R5), Adam Reynolds was badly injured while attempting a field goal. While the field goal missed, the resulting penalty gave South's their 4th win. Since then they have lost to the Cowboys, Sharks and Raiders. Coach Michael Maguire has tried multiple combinations but Reynolds is his game manager and many well credentialed commentators are saying the Rabbitohs might not win until he returns, which is still 4 to 6 weeks away. Greg Inglis will play for Australia and QLD in the rep season and he will sit out at least two NRL matches. There are few smiles around Redfern these days.

Rating - Defence: 8th. Offence: 12th. Overall: 9th

Prediction - Top 8? Almost certainly.

Titans

4 Wins 4 Losses

2015 could not have started worse for the Titans with 5 players stood down after recreational drug charges were laid in the week before the NRL started. They missed the first two matches and the team missed them, losing to the Tigers (R1) and 0-40 to the Panthers (R2). A 2 point loss to the Knights (R3) was followed by a 2 point win over the Sharks (R4). Coach Neil Henry turned to boom half Kane Elgey when journeyman Daniel Mortimer went down injured and along with former Bronco Josh Hoffman (Fullback) and 2014 player of the year (Hooker) Beau Falloon, the Titans spine started to look solid. After a loss to big brother Broncos (R5), the team has strung together three wins in a row - Eels, Panthers and Warriors. As in all sports, confidence is everything in the NRL and speed is a commodity that can't be taught. With James Roberts scoring tries by grabbing poor passes from opponents and finishing the good work of his inside backs the Gold Coast attack is looking very good. But there is significant work to do in defence.

Rating - Defence 16th. Offence: 4th. Overall: 14th.

Prediction - Top 8? Possible but unlikely.

Panthers

4 Wins 4 Losses

Penrith became the real deal in 2014 and with a strong head office, strong coach and excellent recruitment 2015 was tipped to be their year. With a quality spine (Matt Moylan, Peter Wallace and James Segeyaro) and Jamie Soward at 5/8, the Panthers have real attacking grunt. Their pack includes big hitting Nigel Plum and ball players like Elijah Taylor and Tyrone Peachey. Wins over the Bulldogs (R1) and a weakened Titans (R2) but losses to the Roosters (R3) and Knights (R4) brought home the reality of how tough winning every week in the NRL can be. It was defence that was letting the team down. When the Cowboys beat them by 20 points (R5) alarm bells started to ring. Round 5 was also the first game that Jamie Soward was out injured and although he returns in Round 9, the team have lost centre Jamal Idris (Season), forward Brent Kite (R15) halfback Peter Wallace till Round 12 and hooker James Segeyaro (unknown), stretching club depth to its limits. With up-coming matches against leaders Brisbane, cellar dwellers Manly and Rabbit killers Parramatta, the Penrith defence had better improve if they want to a better than 50% win percentage.

Rating - Defence: 15th. Offence: 1st. Overall: 10th

Prediction - Top 8? Unlikely.

Knights

4 Wins 4 Losses

2014 came to a sorry end as head coach Bennett left at the same time boofhead billionaire Nathan Tinkler handed back ownership of the Knights to the NRL. Coach Rick Stone, who was tossed aside for the Bennett experiment, returned to the top job and the team responded well by jumping to the lead in the competition with four straight wins. They don't have a flashy squad but they have lots of experience and hard workers. Kurt Gidley, Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott have over 600 NRL matches between them and their backline, from halves Tyrone Roberts and Jarrod Mullen to wingers Akuila Uate and James McManus, are all quality players. With 4 losses following the 4 wins, Knights fans are wondering whether their team has what it takes. They will be expecting a win over the Sea Eagles (R9) and hoping for wins over the Tigers (R10) and a representatively weakened Broncos (R11) after that. Finding the right position for Gidley might be the key and hooker / dummy half looks to be the only vacancy.

Rating - Defence 14th. Offence: 13th. Overall: Equal 15th.

Prediction - Top 8? Very unlikely.

Raiders

4 Wins 4 Losses

Ricky Stuart coached teams are never in doubt about the passion he has for the game and their performance. The Canberra Raiders are no exception. 2014 was a hit and miss season and Stuart started 2015 by playing down expectations in order to reduce pressure on his young squad. Prodigal halfback Sam Williams came home from Europe and a couple of hard headed forwards (Frank Paul-Nuuausala and Iosia Soliola) and a wily English Hooker (Josh Hodgson) arrived to give depth to the team. An away win over Cronulla (R1) was followed by a loss at home to the Warriors (R2) and the ‘one that got away' 20-22 to the Dragons (R3). The high standard needed to succeed in the NRL was displayed for the young Raiders when the Roosters defeated them 34-6 (R4). Since then they have defeated the hapless Sea Eagles (R5), turned the tables on the Warriors (R7) and defeated the Rabbitoh's (R8). Sam Williams replaced Mitch Cornish at half in Round 5 and together with Blake Austin, they have given the team stability and options on both sides for hooker Josh Hodgson. Coach Stuart has also started to inject utility Kurt Baptiste to add spark during games and a permanent position might need to be found for this Broncos reject who has great hands and real speed over short distances.

Rating - Defence: 9th. Offence: 15th. Overall: 12th.

Prediction - Top 8? Possible but unlikely.

Bulldogs

4 Wins 4 Losses

Canterbury are the last in the group with a 50/50 record. They are also under the most pressure to improve their win ratio. The Good Friday incident, which saw South's Adam Reynolds out injured for 6-8 weeks, also affected the Bulldogs, with Captain James Graham (4 matches) and young forward David Klemmer (3 matches) both suspended. Sam Kasiano was also outed for 2 matches for dangerous contact. Add to this injuries to both Morris twins and an under-performing halves combination and the Bulldogs were not the smooth running confident team that fought out last year's Grand Final. With matches against the Cowboys (R9), Roosters (R10) and Raiders (R11) and then the Dragons (R13), their season is on the line. The good news is that all their forwards will be available and Trent Hodgkinson, Josh Reynolds and Josh Morris will likely sit out the rep season making them available to help rescue the club. Despite their problems, the Bulldogs are a quality team which is shown in their ratings.

Rating - Defence: 3rd. Offence: 5th. Overall: 2nd.

Prediction - Top 8? Very Possible.

Roosters

3 Wins 5 Losses

No one could have predicted that 2013 Premiers and NRL standard bearers would have been languishing in 12th place on the ladder after 8 weeks of the 2015 season. They have an excellent all round roster with a star studded spine, (1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 7. Mitchell Pearce and 9. Jake Friend) but they have been on the losing end of some fantastic matches. Starting with an easy win over Cowboys (R1) they then lost a high scoring match to the Rabbitoh's (R2) but had easy victories over Panthers (R3) and Raiders (R4). Losses to Sharks (R5), Broncos (R6), Melbourne (R7) and then Dragons (R8) sees them teetering on the edge of disaster. The poor form of the incumbents might see halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney, selected for S.O.O when their club needs them most. After the break the Roosters play the Tigers (R9), Bulldogs (R10) and a rematch with Storm (R12). Winning all three is essential.

Rating - Defence 12th. Offence 7th. Overall 11th.

Prediction - Top 8? Missing out is unthinkable.

Warriors

3 Wins 5 Losses

Some would say 20 years is enough time to find a winning formula for a team that has a whole country to call upon but winning the Proven/Summons trophy is not easy and despite going close as Runners-Up in 2002 and 2011 and reaching the finals 7 times, the Warriors seem to struggle for that holy grail of sport, consistency. In 2015 Sam Tomkins, Shaun Johnson and Nathan Friend form a quality spine and Chad Townsend has been fantastic at 5/8. But the defence has been diabolical at times and despite recruiting Ryan Hoffman to tighten up the middle opposition teams have, it seems, been able to run at will.

A first round loss to the Knights was followed by wins over Raiders (R2) and the Eels (R3), but losses to the Broncos (R4), Storm (R5), Cowboys (R7) and the Titans (R8) came despite an excellent attacking record, the team scoring 31 tries to be equal first. In their next three matches against the Sharks (R9), Eels (R10) and Knights (R12) their defence will be tested and if it's found wanting, the fans might start heading for the exits.

Rating - Defence 10th. Offence 6th. Overall 8th.

Prediction - Top 8? Still Possible

Sharks

3 Wins 5 Losses

Sharks supporters would like to see 2014 expunged from the record books. The drug scandal destroyed any chance the team might have had and the sacking of marquee halfback (Todd Carney) for public stupidity just added to their anguish. 2015 was going to be different and the signing of Ben Barba from Brisbane would add pace and unpredictability to an underperforming attack. Michael Ennis' arrival from the Bulldogs would mean that dummy half service would always be astute and sometimes unpredictable. Defence was the cornerstone and all being well an improved attack would provide the balance every NRL team needs. Whispers about a talented kid acquired from the Dragons became reality when Jack Bird shone in the Auckland Nines, he wasn't selected for the first match but good judges were saying his former club might have goofed in letting him go.

Losses at home to Canberra (R1) and Brisbane (R2) Melbourne (R3) and then the Titans (R4) had Coach Flanagan looking for answers. Ben Barba was struggling and his injury meant that Jeff Robson needed a new partner for the (R5) match against the Roosters. Jack Bird had his chance and he put on a man of the match performance. Michael Ennis like his hooker colleagues now had options left and right and the Sharks looked more dangerous in attack. The win over the Roosters was followed by wins over Knights (R6) and Rabbitoh's (R7). A loss to the Panthers (R8) stalled progress but the shire was buzzing with talk of a competitive team. With the Warriors (R9) and a Titans rematch (R10) the Sharks should be ready for a crunch match against long standing rivals and big brother, the St George Dragons (R12). By then fans and commentators alike will have a handle on what the Sharks 2015 season will look like.

Rating - Defence 2nd. Offence 9th. Overall 3rd.

Prediction - Top 8? Unlikely, but possible.

Eels

3 Wins 5 Losses

In 2015 Parramatta faced their first year without Jarryd Hayne since 2006. His departure for the NFL in America changed the Eels plans for 2015 and freed up funds to improve their roster for the future. There was huge player turnover at the end of 2014 and in a demonstration of their strategy going forward, 8 players were promoted from the Under 20's team to the seniors. At the same time, Anthony Watmough, Beau Champion, Brad Takairangi and Reece Robinson added experience to the roster. However, many pundits argued that mental toughness was the real ingredient needed at Parramatta, because they had a strong roster (which the salary cap helps ensure) despite which, they'd not played in finals since being runners up in 2009.

The season began with a 42 - 12 thrashing of Manly but was reversed in (R2) with a 20 point loss to Canterbury. A loss to New Zealand (R3) was followed by a win over South's (R4) and it was hard to judge what direction the Eels were headed. Since then they have lost to the Tigers (R5), Titans (R6) and Broncos (R8). Except for Beau Champion, who is out for the season, a full strength Parramatta should be ready to take on Melbourne (R9), a rematch with New Zealand (R10) and South Sydney in (R11). Wins in all three will turn their season around, losses will start the planning for 2016.

Ranking - Defence 13th. Offence 10th. Overall 13th.

Prediction - Top 8? Next Year.

Sea Eagles

2 Wins 6 Losses

Manly has made the finals for 10 years in a row, winning Grand Finals twice. Despite this record, or because of it, change was in the wind at Brookvale, with three experienced forwards leaving Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and Jason King. They were replaced by bigger players, Willie Mason, Luke Burgess and Feleti Meteo. Their strong experienced back-line was largely in place and the spine, Brett Stewart, Daly Cherry-Evans and Mat Ballin, was considered to be one of the best in the NRL.

Manly lost heavily to Parramatta (R1) but grabbed a last minute win over Melbourne (R2). Losses to Canterbury (R3), St George (R4) and then Canberra (R5) piled up as did injuries to key players. A loss to Penrith (R6) and Canterbury again (R7) made it 5 losses in row. Round 8 saw them beat Melbourne for a second time, but the announced departures of Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans made this eight weeks Manlys worst in a decade. Matches against Newcastle (R9), Penrith at home (R10) and the Cowboys (R12) will decide if Manly can fight off the award of their first ever wooden spoon.

Rank - Defence 6th. Offence 16th. Overall Equal 15th.

Prediction - Top 8? Next Year.