Power Rankings - Round 2

1. South Sydney Rabbitohs (last week: 1)
Deservedly sitting atop the power rankings this week are the Rabbitohs, and they are looking imposing. The Bunnies looked down-and-out at a couple of times against the Roosters, but managed to claw their way back into the contest and run out winners - thanks in no small part to George Burgess. Will take on the Tigers on Sunday afternoon this week, and we can expect more of the same kind of impressive performance.

2. Penrith Panthers (last week: 5)
A lot of people seem to be sitting back waiting for the bubble to burst with the Penrith Panthers. Guess what. I don't think it's going to happen. Unbeaten after two rounds, and with stellar performances from Matt Moylan, Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro, the Panthers are looking the goods so far in 2015. Monday's game should be a cracker.

3. Sydney Roosters (last week: 2)
How this week's clash between the Roosters and the Panthers got relegated to Monday night is beyond me. The top of the table clash could have been played in front of a large crowd at Allianz Stadium, but is instead likely to pull about 6000 passionate Roosters' fans, including the canteen staff selling the cold pies. Despite losing to the Rabbitohs this week, the Roosters definitely did not disgrace themselves, and are still among the most feared teams in the competition.

4. Newcastle Knights (last week: 4)
Knights fans are rejoicing for a number of reasons so far in 2015. Firstly, Wayne Bennett has left the club, and taken his attacking "flair" with him, secondly Rick Stone has instilled some belief and confidence in his side, and thirdly, that the Knights are finally getting back to playing footy like they used to - making the opposition hurt. Beau Scott almost single-handedly destroyed the Cowboys in defence, not attack, which is no mean feat! Grub or great - you decide.

5. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (last week: 11)
With the biggest jump in the power rankings this week we have the Bulldogs. Des Hasler's men were impressive in their performance against the Eels, and will look to improve even further when they take on the Sea Eagles on Friday night.

6. Wests Tigers (last week: 10)
We're not yet sure whether Round 2's win was the result of a good performance by the Tigers, or a poor performance by the Dragons. Either way, it doesn't matter. The Tigers are winning games. It was a last minute victory in Round 1, and a decent first half foothold in Round 2 (followed by one of the dourest, least interesting halves of football ever), but the Tigers are sitting on 4 points on the competition table. Can't be too upset about that.

7. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (last week: 14)
While the wheels may look like they are falling off from the outside, inside it appears to be business as usual for the Sea Eagles. After a heavy defeat at the hands of the Eels in Round 1, the Sea Eagles bounced back to narrowly defeat the Storm at home in Round 2. Kieran Foran remains on the sideline, with Feleti Mateo named to partner Daly-Cheery Evans in the halves.

8. Melbourne Storm (last week: 7)
The Storm will play their first home game of the season this weekend, versus the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. The Storm have based their game so far in 2015 on their stoic defence, while the Sharks have based theirs on their inability to attack. A soccer score may not be entirely out of the question.

9. Warriors (last week: 9)
Considering the Warriors are notoriously slow starters, and notoriously poor travelers, Round 2 v the Raiders in Canberra was not a game they were expected to win. Someone forgot to tell the Warriors that. They should improve further in their first home game this weekend.

10. Brisbane Broncos (last week: 12)
It's a rare occurrence that 10 points is enough to win a game, but versus the Sharks it's plenty. Ben Hunt was great for the Broncos in Round 2, as was Justin Hodges. The Queensland derby versus the Cowboys should be an entertaining game this week.

11. Parramatta Eels (last week: 3)
A big fall for the Eels this week, as the Round 1 hype well and truly fell down around their feet, albeit not entirely their fault. Major injuries to Semi Radradra and Beau Champion, added to niggles for several other players, saw them beaten soundly at the hands of the Bulldogs. Their backline will be tested in the coming weeks.

12. Canberra Raiders (last week: 6)
I guess the home town advantage at Canberra doesn't work when it's not mid-winter, with 2 degree temperatures. The Warriors traveled there in Round 2, and left with the two points. An injury to Jack Wighton will see him miss a few games, so they'll need to find someone else to plug every single little hole in the backline...

13. North Queensland Cowboys (last week: 8)
High hopes were held for the Cowboys during the pre-season, but they've definitely started slower than expected, losing both of their opening games. They did, however, manage to win the gong for best media circus after Johnathan Thurston was actually tackled a few times during the match v the Knights. Evidently Beau Scott didn't get the memo that halves are just there to look pretty, not to actually get hit.

14. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (last week: 13)
Even captain Gallen's superhero performance couldn't save his team this week. While he hammered his way through almost 300 metres of territory, even he couldn't do much to spark his team's attack. Questions are being asked by Sharks' fans about Ben Barba's worth to the team, although it is very early days. Scoring only 2 points won't win you many games in today's competition.

15. Gold Coast Titans (last week: 15)
Well, points for effort are keeping the Titans off the bottom rung of the power rankings so far. Well, that and the Dragon's anemic attack. The titans were hammered by the Panthers 40-0, but we'll reserve judgement until we see how they perform with their (almost-) full complement in Round 3.

16. St. George Illawarra Dragons (last week: 16)
More of the same for the Dragons this week. It's going to be a long season. Josh Dugan's absence gives the team some form of excuse, but realistically, they are simply playing some woeful football. Where do you think we point the finger?