LONG ON LEAGUE: This week I name my blues team for origin I reveal which player panthers need to re-sign next!…

Sharks’ ominous title warning; Knights on the rise as Manly slide — Power Rankings

The Sharks have sounded an ominous title warning after knocking the Storm of the top of the Power Rankings in a stunning against the odds victory.

Meanwhile, the Knights are surging on the back of three straight wins and Manly are headed in the opposite direction after Tom Trbojevic’s latest injury.

The Sharks announced themselves as a genuine title threat with a huge 25-18 win over the Storm at AAMI Park, minus their star halfback Nicho Hynes, who was out due to injury. Dan Atkinson stepped up in the absence of Hynes to guide the Sharks to victory and has cemented himself as one of the breakout stars of the season. Jesse Ramien is a smokey for the Blues’ Origin side after another starring display, while Siosifa Talakai is proving a revelation as a bench impact player. The Sharks can further cement their premiership aspirations with a victory over the Roosters in Magic Round.

The Storm missed a golden opportunity to cement top spot on the ladder and the Power Rankings with their 25-18 loss to the Sharks. They may have been without Jahrome Hughes, but Tyran Wishart and Cameron Munster still performed well in his absence. Eliesa Katoa and Reimis Smith were also strong in try-scoring displays. However, the Storm uncharacteristically missed 37 tackles against the Sharks exposing some weaknesses in their defence, given Hynes wasn’t playing. The Storm can get back in the winners circle with a clash with their bogey side the Eels on Sunday.

The Panthers may have got the job done in a nailbiting 16-10 win over the Bulldogs, but it came at a massive cost with star halfback Nathan Cleary ruled out of the Origin series with a hamstring injury that will see him miss two months. Unfortunately his back-up Brad Schneider was also injured in reserve grade, which ramps up the pressure on Jarome Luai becoming the chief playmaker in the coming rounds. The Panthers face a big test against a desperate Warriors side fighting for their season on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos were not perfect but they still showed plenty of class to beat the Eels 30-14. Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh stepped up in the absence of injured skipper Adam Reynolds with three try assists and two tries between them and the Broncos will need plenty more of that until he returns later in the season. Selwyn Cobbo and Deine Mariner were also electric with three tries and 300 metres between them. The Broncos face a big test against a wounded Manly side in a blockbuster clash on Friday night.

Another week and another upset for the Dolphins who beat the Sea Eagles 30-24 to show they are a real chance of making their maiden finals appearance this season. Trai Fuller has been a revelation for the Dolphins at fullback in the absence of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and his demotion to the reserves this week is a brutal call given his form. Connelly Lemuelu and Euan Aitken have both stepped up in the back row in the absence of some injured stars and the Dolphins can be even more formidable when they get some troops back. A clash with the struggling Tigers in Magic Round can see Wayne Bennett’s side’s stocks rise even higher.