TC's Ratings (NRL)

In my opinion anyway, this season is shaping up as one of the most interesting ever. Whoever ends up winning this competition is going to have to work extremely hard. This is simply because there are so many premiership chances. There are teams like the Bulldogs who have flown out of the blocks and top the competition and there are also those such as Manly who have stumbled early but are slowly creeping their way back.

Lets take a look at how I currently rate the 16 teams.

1. Bulldogs
You can't pick any team ahead of them at the moment. They officially lost to the Dragons, but really, they beat them. Perhaps swap this loss with the game they should have lost, but ended up winning (of course, the 14 man incident, losing them 2 points) against the Panthers. Their other loss, which is more concerning, was against the Titans - without Scott Prince. This shows there are weaknesses for the team and could easily encounter a rough patch soon, but they will be there come finals.

2. Dragons
Just beat the competition leaders, but should have lost. If not for their loss against the Cowboys, however, I would have rated them as number 1. Wayne Bennett has taken no time to get this team performing and come finals they will take a lot of stopping.

3. Panthers
Penrith have easily been the surprise of 2009. Sitting in 4th on the table when everybody expected them to challenge for the spoon. They have plenty of young players coming of age as well as a wealth of experience in players such as Luke Lewis and Civoniceva. They have what it takes to give the comp a shake. It is a real shame that they play the Dragons this week. Both sides will be without some of their big players and no indication of where both sides are at should be taken out of it.

4. Knights
The Knights have looked a well structured, well coached outfit. They just need to iron out their inconsistency. They will also be a big player come finals. The Knights are another team facing a big opponent this week, comp leaders Bulldogs. Another game ruined by Origin absentees.

5. Storm
As we go down, it gets harder for me to separate these teams. The Storm haven't been the amazing force of recent years but they are still a very, very good side. Losing comfortably to the Dogs on the weekend was a big blow and Origin may also hurt them. But they will 'Storm' home in the latter stages of the season and are certainly an outside chance at the title.

6. Sea Eagles
Don't forget the premiers. They are by no means out of it yet. After a horror start to the season, on and off the field, they are slowly creeping back up the table. They will probably rack up some good wins over the next month or so and shoot themselves into the 8. If Brett Stewart returns later in the season, they just may be able to find that Premiership winning form at the right time.

7. Broncos
It was a tough decision to slide the Broncos all the way down here. But I honestly think they are lucky to be third on the table at the moment. They have had a relatively easy draw and have not been outstanding in most of those games. The origin period will hurt them. The Broncos are not a chance for Grand Final 09.

8. Titans
The final couple of top 8 spots will be hotly contested and I have no idea who will jag the final spot. I'm going to say the Titans sit here currently, they have looked on and off throughout the season. I would be not at all surprised if they have another 2nd half of season downturn and end up missing the 8. They have beaten some big teams, but something just doesn't seem right to me. In saying that, they have a relatively easy draw...

9. Cowboys
North Queensland have had a funny season. They started off shockingly, winning 1 from their first 5. After putting away the Sharks and Manly, they seemed to be gathering steam - only to go down to the lowly Eels. From there they then knocked off the Dragons and then yesterday the Knights. Perhaps a finals team, but they have a pretty hard draw and will do well to make it.

10. Rabbitohs
Would the real South Sydney please stand up? They look a great team but they are just not performing. They should have dealt with the Eels easily, but Parramatta outplayed them. They got close to the leaders the Bulldogs, they got close to the Titans and they beat the Knights. They definitely have something there and they need to find "it" soon (consistently), otherwise they will miss out.

11. Tigers
Another team with potential. The Tigers have turned in some good performances and had some back luck, losing their last 3 games by 2 points or less. They have some tough games approaching and will be hard pressed making the finals. However with Benji at his best, anything could happen...

12. Raiders
Canberra will be disapointed with their teams performance. After such an exciting finish to last year they came out in 09 really flat and now they are a very outside chance at making the finals. Campese the key.

13. Eels
No improvement from the Eels this year. Hayne at fullback is their shining light. They are going to remain low for the remainder of the season.

14. Warriors
What happened to the Warriors. They looked a top 8 certainty pre-season. They are playing crap at present but they could turn it around. The next few games could spell the end for the Warriors.

15. Roosters
It won't be long before the Roosters drop below the Sharks I feel. Fittler is messing around with the team and his incompetence is showing as he feels the pinch. Bye bye Fittler, bye bye Roosters 09.

16. Sharks
Turmoil. No money, no sponsors, no wins. Off field drama and an under performing team. What a fall, they were marked by many as a strong chance for the premiership in the beginning. Now all they can do is try and salvage some pride and they do have the potential to do a bit of that.