In the simplest of terms, the 17 NRL teams of 2024 can be carved into three categories – the two sides that are doing everything possible to show they could be the premiers, another 13 who are unreliable and two duds at the bottom. Penrith and Melbourne are the only clubs you can count on to maintain a high standard week on week and it would not be a surprise if those teams are again duking it out on Grand Final night. Despite missing key players, the Panthers rolled on past the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday after the Storm did likewise on Saturday despite a hot start from a fired-up Warriors side before a sellout Auckland crowd.
Cronulla, the Roosters, Dolphins and Broncos could and should be in the premiership conversation but they have had too many off days in recent weeks to belong in the upper tier. The rest of the teams in the competition fluctuate wildly and you wouldn’t put more than five bucks on any of them to make the playoffs let alone do any damage if they get there. More League 3 Roosters (4): They still haven’t quite gelled this season for anything more than a couple of weeks and with Origin messing their team around, it will be a while before they can truly settle into a groove.
But they are doing enough in the meantime to be in touching distance of the top four and be well set to cement a spot up near the top of the ladder heading into the finals. 4 Sharks (2): True premiership contenders don’t go down 22-0 at home in as many minutes. Where was the c.
