2025

[Abacus]

I have viewed the LU forum for a few years without ever making an account and posting, but now is the time.

The problem with the NRL ladder is that the byes constantly skew where everyone sits, and do not give a real view of position (for example, the Cowboys are in 6th spot with 5 wins and a draw, ahead of many teams who have 6 wins, but have had fewer than the 2 byes that the Cows have had).

If you adjust for the byes (that is, remove them), we are in 10th spot (11 points), 1 point behind the teams running 6 to 9 (on 12 points).

Team	Points	Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Byes	For	Against	Difference	Games in Hand
Canberra Raiders	22​	1​	14​	11​	0​	3​	0​	396​	300​	96​	10​
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs	20​	2​	12​	10​	0​	2​	2​	306​	214​	92​	12​
New Zealand Warriors	20​	3​	13​	10​	0​	3​	1​	291​	256​	35​	11​
Melbourne Storm	16​	4​	12​	8​	0​	4​	2​	404​	233​	171​	12​
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks	14​	5​	13​	7​	0​	6​	1​	302​	288​	14​	11​
The Dolphins	12​	6​	13​	6​	0​	7​	1​	350​	258​	92​	11​
Brisbane Broncos	12​	7​	13​	6​	0​	7​	1​	338​	294​	44​	11​
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	12​	8​	13​	6​	0​	7​	1​	314​	272​	42​	11​
South Sydney Rabbitohs	12​	9​	13​	6​	0​	7​	1​	223​	305​	-82​	11​
Penrith Panthers	11​	10​	13​	5​	1​	7​	1​	286​	295​	-9​	11​
North Queensland Cowboys	11​	11​	12​	5​	1​	6​	2​	274​	326​	-52​	12​
Sydney Roosters	10​	12​	12​	5​	0​	7​	2​	290​	312​	-22​	12​
St. George Illawarra Dragons	10​	13​	12​	5​	0​	7​	2​	254​	301​	-47​	12​
Wests Tigers	10​	14​	13​	5​	0​	8​	1​	268​	330​	-62​	11​
Newcastle Knights	10​	15​	13​	5​	0​	8​	1​	185​	250​	-65​	11​
Parramatta Eels	8​	16​	13​	4​	0​	9​	1​	231​	336​	-105​	11​
Gold Coast Titans	6​	17​	12​	3​	0​	9​	2​	240​	382​	-142​	12​

Albeit, this method means that some teams have more 'games in hand' - games to play, so more opportunities to accrue points - but that is what they are - opportunities to accrue points, not guaranteed points.

Nice first post.

I've started looking more at F/A during the season - it seems to remove the effect of byes on the ladder so gives a better indication on how teams are travelling.

 

[Fangs]

Seriously though, does anyone watch the Bulldogs yesterday and think we can't beat them? Or watch the Raiders v Rabbitohs and think we're so far behind them? Both good teams in good form that will improve further in coming seasons, but hardly teams I think are anywhere near us if we play at even 70% of previous years (currently playing at c. 50%).

This is gonna be some 5peat.

It's true.

We've gotta get into the finals first of all. But the only scary team in the comp is the Panthers. No one else is really that fearsome.

 

[Old and Disgruntled]

It's true.

We've gotta get into the finals first of all. But the only scary team in the comp is the Panthers. No one else is really that fearsome.

Cowboys went from P8 to a GF. No reason Panthers can't , even though I have an uneasy feeling that PVL doesn't want us anywhere the Semis. (Based on the Refs we have had.)

 

[betcats]

Seriously though, does anyone watch the Bulldogs yesterday and think we can't beat them? Or watch the Raiders v Rabbitohs and think we're so far behind them? Both good teams in good form that will improve further in coming seasons, but hardly teams I think are anywhere near us if we play at even 70% of previous years (currently playing at c. 50%).

This is gonna be some 5peat.

They are us in 2024 but without a yeo or cleary or dyl which doesnt sound like a big difference but i think its huge, we have goat 13 and a possible goat 7 compared to whoever they have in the halves and at lock.

Dyl isnt a goat but on form last year hes basically a goat compared to the bulldogs reject FB.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Cowboys went from P8 to a GF. No reason Panthers can't , even though I have an uneasy feeling that PVL doesn't want us anywhere the Semis. (Based on the Refs we have had.)

Tin foil hat me feels the same way. I know it's not logical but sometimes the 'world is against us' fuel helps the mindset.

 

[martielang]

I'll have two of what Martielang's drinking, on the rocks....

We can share. Sip 4 sip.

 

[age.s]

I want to believe, but I'm someone who has been pessimistic every year in the 4peat. At this point I'm better off assuming we'll lose and hoping my scepticism is some sort of lucky charm.

 

[Girds89]

They are us in 2024 but without a yeo or cleary or dyl which doesnt sound like a big difference but i think its huge, we have goat 13 and a possible goat 7 compared to whoever they have in the halves and at lock.

Dyl isnt a goat but on form last year hes basically a goat compared to the bulldogs reject FB.

Michael morgan that year was one of the best in the game if not the best. His year was as good as jt.

Jason t was the best lock in the game by a mile.

Tamou and matt scott close to best props in the game.

Selling them a bit short.

Also connor tracey isnt a reject. Have you watched him at all??? Hes been there most consistent and probably player of the year so far.

Hes not a big name like critta or burton but he just gets it done every week on both sides of the ball for them. For the coin hed be on hes probably the best value player in the comp

 

[Oldpanther86]

Michael morgan that year was one of the best in the game if not the best. His year was as good as jt.

Jason t was the best lock in the game by a mile.

Tamou and matt scott close to best props in the game.

Selling them a bit short.

Also connor tracey isnt a reject. Have you watched him at all??? Hes been there most consistent and probably player of the year so far.

Hes not a big name like critta or burton but he just gets it done every week on both sides of the ball for them. For the coin hed be on hes probably the best value player in the comp

Dogs don't have that game breaker in their spine. They're entirely dependent on consistency over 80 minutes wearing down the opposition. Critta is their one clutch player but is at centre.

 

[Fangs]

Getting ahead a bit but...

Crichton v McClean in a couple weeks. Casey needs to get through another game first but he best bring his A game for that one.

For once I don't want Casey to pass the ball. The way Crichton prowls it will probably be intercepted. Go for short kicks in behind instead.

 

[age.s]

Dogs don't have that game breaker in their spine. They're entirely dependent on consistency over 80 minutes wearing down the opposition. Critta is their one clutch player but is at centre.

Galvin qualifies as a game breaker imo.

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

Seriously though, does anyone watch the Bulldogs yesterday and think we can't beat them? Or watch the Raiders v Rabbitohs and think we're so far behind them? Both good teams in good form that will improve further in coming seasons, but hardly teams I think are anywhere near us if we play at even 70% of previous years (currently playing at c. 50%).

This is gonna be some 5peat.

100%

Look who the dogs have won against. I think we have had the Tigers and Dogs game circled, for different reasons this season. That win against the dogs is going to put the spot light back on us.