Power Rankings - Round 13

1. North Queensland Cowboys
If there's one thing the Cowboys have an abundance of, it's self belief. Despite playing poorly for the first half of the game, the Cowboys turned it on in the last half hour, racking up 30 points to steal the game from the Eels. Yes, they struggled early in the game, but they're allowed 50 minutes of bad footy after 9 straight wins.

2. Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos have been the quiet achievers of the competitions so far. The Cowboys' winning streak and the Dragons' defence have taken the limelight, while the Broncos just crept along winning games. The poor Sea Eagles walked into an absolute ambush, and had no answers to what has become a devastating attacking unit for the Broncos.

3. St. George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons were uncharacteristically shaky in defence this week against the Bulldogs, however their attack stood firm. Dropping three places on the Power Rankings is much more about the performances of the teams above them, than a reflection of the Dragons' performance.

4. Sydney Roosters
Sunday afternoon's game between the Roosters and the Sharks was one of the most dire games to watch so far this season, with only 14 points scored in 80 minutes of football. The Sharks got away with the win, but the performance of the Roosters, the competition favourites, was nothing short of terrible. Things are unlikely to improve this week, as they take on the Warriors, minus their Origin stars.

5. Melbourne Storm
The Storm were impressive in their defeat of the Panthers, keeping their opposition to nil. However, the win was costly, both for the Storm and for the Maroons, with Cooper Cronk ruled out for up to a month with a knee injury. Luckily for the Storm, they come up against the Eels this week, so as long as they finish strong they should get the points.

6. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs finally look to be getting back to the form that made them such a feared opponent in the back end of 2014. Consecutive wins against the Eels, Titans and now Warriors have put the Rabbitohs firmly back in the winners' circle - and they should be good enough to get he points against the Tigers in round 14.

7. Canberra Raiders
The Raiders were merciless in their demolition of a hapless Newcastle Knights side. Sam Williams alone managed more try assists than the entire Knights' outfit, and Blake Austin again broke tackles left and right. David Shillington rolled the clock back to run for over 200 metres, double the metres of any Knights player on the park (bar the fullback).

8. Penrith Panthers
It wasn't entirely unexpected, but the loss of Matt Moylan and Jamie Soward really hurt the Panthers. This season looks to be going the way of "if we only had a decent run with injuries", although the Panthers are still definitely within reach of the top 8. They'd be stoked to be able to put their entire spine on the park at the same time.

9. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
I feel like I write about how good Moses Mbye has played almost every week, but hey - if the accolades are deserved, then the accolades are deserved. The return of Brett Morris sparked his side, and they were impressive in taking down a much more heavily tipped Dragons' side. The injury gods are finally beginning to smile on the Dogs again, so watch out.

10. New Zealand Warriors
What a weekend for the Warriors. First they sit on a plane for half the weekend, and then when they finally land in Perth, they are belted from pillar to post by the Rabbitohs. They then get to fly back to take on the Roosters at home on Saturday afternoon.

11. Gold Coast Titans
The Titans of 2015 are like a rough-headed bloke at the year 12 grad. They're ugly and they're not particularly well put together, but they try hard and sometimes come up with the goods. One of those times was against the Tigers in round 13. The Bulldogs will probably be too tough an ask for them this weekend.

12. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
I swear there are two Cronulla Sharks teams currently playing in the NRL. The first is the one that struggles in close games, and gets pumped by 40 against the Dragons. The second, led by Paul Gallen, knocks off competition favourites like they're nothing.

13. Wests Tigers
The Titans aren't world beaters at the moment - far from it. Which makes the Tigers' loss to them on Friday night all the more woeful. Aaron Woods was huge, running for over 200 metres again, and Tedesco was almost impossible to tackle, but the rest of the side didn't do a great deal to help them. Looking at the statistics, the number of missed tackles wasn't too bad, however it was the timing of the misses that was the issue, many leading to points, or repeat sets late in the tackle count.

14. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
There was a big confidence boost for the Sea Eagles last week, signing Daly Cherry-Evans to a massive, long term contract. Unfortunately, all the money they spent couldn't buy them a win. Rumours are still circling about discontent in the Manly camp - which would explain the lack of cohesiveness in the side.

15. Parramatta Eels
Yet another half-a-performance from the Parramatta Eels. The Cowboys were on the ropes, trailing 24-6 at half time, but the Eels collapsed to let them back in the game. Losses are devastating at the best of times, but to concede almost 30 points in 25 minutes is just embarrassing. If only it were the first time this season that the Eels' had failed to play for 80 minutes...

16. Newcastle Knights
Is there anything to look forward to for the Knights? A round 10 victory over the Tigers is the only bright spot in recent memory, breaking what would have been an unenviable 9 match losing streak. Coach Rick Stone is desperate for answers, but with his lower graders not putting their hands up, it looks to be a bleak time for the men from Newcastle.