NRL Power Rankings: Round 21 Update

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Premiership Winner - Penrith Panthers

Despite some shaky form and an undeserved win over the Eels, the Panthers are still the clear favourites to win the competition. With their experience, and the fall off of teams like the Storm and the Broncos, the Panthers look set to win yet again.

Top 4 Contenders - New Zealand Warriors, The Dolphins, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla Sharks +1

The Sharks have now soared into top 4 contention. If they can remain consistent, which is their number 1 issue, they could compete for the premiership. The Sharks have often played safe and boring footy that gets them top 8 but not much else. With a change of strategy recently, the Sharks look a much more complete side. With Braydon Trindall doing more of the kicking, and with Nicho Hynes doing more of the ball running, the Sharks have found a far better formula to win.

New Zealand Warriors, The Dolphins, and the Sydney Roosters are all still up there. They have the quality and depth to compete deep into the finals. The Roosters have been around the block and will fancy their chances, but the Warriors and Dolphins will need to dig deep due to their lack of recent experience in big finals games.

Will Compete For The 8 - Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs, North Queensland Cowboys, Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs

All these sides remain in this section. The Knights and the Rabbitohs have too many key injuries to compete for the premiership, the Cowboys are very similar to the Sharks and need to find consistent results, the Storm just don't look competitive enough and may not even make the finals, and the Bulldogs are still battling to figure out their best starting side and won't have the chemistry to trouble the top sides.

To Miss The 8 - Canberra Raiders, Manly Sea Eagles, Brisbane Broncos, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, Gold Coast Titans

Manly Sea Eagles -1

The Sea Eagles join these sides after a string of losses. They look past their honeymoon phase under Kieran Foran, and have struggled in defence in recent games. This loss of momentum means they likely don't have the legs to make the 8. The Raiders are back to their strongest side and could definitely surge into the top 8, they just need to keep producing results at home and more importantly, away from home. The Broncos, Tigers, Eels, and the Titans have no chance of making the 8.

The Dragons - The Dragons

The Dragons.