Welcome to the inaugural Rugby League Zone’s NRL Power Rankings for Round 17 of the 2025 season. Our rankings are based on more than just ladder position – we factor in recent form, strength of opposition, injuries, and momentum.
Each team is judged by how dangerous they are right now, not where they sit officially.
👉 Check out our Round 18 tips here: from Wednesday
🔢 Power Rankings
1. Penrith Panthers (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 7
Wins in last 5 games: 4
Penrith are peaking at the right time. After dismantling two top-four teams in consecutive weeks, they produced their best defensive effort of the season against the ladder leaders. Four wins in a row — finals mode activated.
Next Game: Bye
2. Dolphins (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 8
Wins in last 5 games: 4
The Phins bounced back in style, with Isaiya Katoa steering the ship as they tore Souths apart. Gutsy, clinical, and looking the part.
Next Game: Bye
3. Canberra Raiders (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 1
Wins in last 5 games: 5
Canberra are top of the table but still making things harder than necessary. They’ve allowed late comebacks against both the Tigers and Knights — time to fix those second-half lapses.
Next Game: vs Dragons
4. Melbourne Storm (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 3
Wins in last 5 games: 4
Outlasted the Sharks in a classic Melbourne grind. Once they found their rhythm in the final 20, it was game over.
Next Game: vs Cowboys
5. Brisbane Broncos (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 5
Wins in last 5 games: 3
Fast start, sharp defence — and with Reece Walsh back, the Broncos are starting to look like their 2023 selves. Their last two wins have come against top-eight opposition.
Next Game: vs Bulldogs
6. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 2
Wins in last 5 games: 3
The Dogs fell just short in one of the games of the season against Penrith. Lachlan Galvin had a quiet outing, but both sides showcased elite defensive resolve in a brutal clash.
Next Game: vs Broncos
7. Sydney Roosters (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 6
Wins in last 5 games: 3
Had the week off, but remain firmly in the mix and playing some of their best footy of 2025.
Next Game: vs Tigers
8. New Zealand Warriors (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 4
Wins in last 5 games: 2
Injuries to Metcalf and CNK didn’t help, but discipline was again their undoing. A much-needed rest week ahead.
Next Game: Bye
9. St George-Illawarra Dragons (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 11
Wins in last 5 games: 3
An impressive first half gave way to some familiar second-half stumbles. Christian Tuipulotu’s late withdrawal didn’t help, but old habits crept in again.
Next Game: vs Raiders
10. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 9
Wins in last 5 games: 2
Improved after the break but lacked cohesion early. Turbo at centre looked rusty and Lehi Hopoate had a tough night at fullback.
Next Game: vs Rabbitohs
11. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 10
Better effort this week despite the result. Matched the Storm’s physicality but couldn’t go with them late.
Next Game: Bye
12. Parramatta Eels (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 15
Wins in last 5 games: 2
Horrible first half. Decent second half. Still lost. But there were signs of life.
Next Game: Bye
13. Newcastle Knights (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 13
Wins in last 5 games: 2
Started poorly again but fought back in the second half — a near carbon copy of their Manly game. Close isn’t good enough if finals are the goal.
Next Game: Bye
14. South Sydney Rabbitohs (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 16
Wins in last 5 games: 0
They finally had a full-strength backline — and barely got to use it. The Dolphins dominated from start to finish.
Next Game: vs Sea Eagles
15. North Queensland Cowboys (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 12
Wins in last 5 games: 2
Inconsistent again. Brilliant in patches, then completely disappeared in others. Still hanging on to finals hopes — just.
Next Game: vs Storm
16. Wests Tigers (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 14
Wins in last 5 games: 0
Lost without Jarome Luai, who was a late scratching. Their attack had no direction and few answers.
Next Game: vs Roosters
17.Gold Coast Titans (Last Week: n/a). Current Ladder Position: 17
Wins in last 5 games: 1
Some of the last-tackle options were hard to watch. Des Hasler may need a second clipboard. Wooden spoon watch is heating up.
Next Game: Bye
🗳️ Fan Poll
Who’s the real #1?
🗳️ Cast your vote in our Power Rankings Poll below!
