Do you agree with this week's ranking? Join the debate. Last week's rankings in brackets plus their win-loss record.

1 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (1) 14-4

They lead the competition by four points and have a points for-and-against differential almost twice as big as the second-placed Bulldogs, so the minor premiership is virtually guaranteed with six rounds remaining.

2 BULLDOGS (2) 13-5

Stumbled with their loss to the Eels, which was their first of the 13-plus kind this season. Now the pressure is on them to hit straight back against the rejuvenated Rabbitohs, or their bid to finish in the all-important top two could take a big blow.

3 MELBOURNE (3) 11-1-6

That was an impressive win over the Sharks. Their opposition may have been well down on the competition table, but they have been trying hard and the Storm were missing several star players. They are looking solid in the top four now.

4 GOLD COAST (4) 12-6

Comfortably disposed of the struggling Broncos, and now they get the luxury of a second straight home game - against a Cowboys outfit that has found it very difficult on the road this season. Pressuring the Bulldogs for a top-two spot now.

5 MANLY (5) 10-8

Jumped from eighth to fifth on the competition table with their slashing win over the Knights. The top four teams will all be looking over their shoulders at them, and if any of them hit the wall the Sea Eagles are ready to overtake them for a home final.

6 PENRITH (7) 10-8

They have risen to the challenge in recent weeks and have stayed in the top eight rather than faded, winning three of their last four games. Centre Michael Jennings scored three tries against the Cowboys to take his total to 14 in 13 games this season.

7 WESTS TIGERS (9) 8-10

While there is life there is hope for the Tigers, who are clinging on in the race for the finals with three straight wins. Their victory over the Raiders pulled them up to just two points outside of the top eight, but now they face the Sea Eagles.

8 PARRAMATTA (10) 7-1-10

That's a pretty good double - back-to-back wins over the Storm and the Bulldogs. Fans are wondering why the Eels couldn't perform so well earlier in the season, but even if they don't make the finals this year the future looks promising.

9 SOUTH SYDNEY (11) 8-1-9

They have fired up with three straight wins, two of them over teams ahead of them on the competition table, but now the big challenge comes in the shape of a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Bulldogs. This should be a ripper.

10 NEWCASTLE (6) 10-8

Four losses from their last six games leaves them a little shaky, but they get the perfect chance to steady things with a home game against the hapless Roosters this weekend. The return of Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen will help enormously.

11 NORTH QUEENSLAND (8) 9-9

The alarm bells couldn't be ringing any louder after their loss at home to the Panthers. They were having enough problems trying to win away and now they have to hit the road to play the Titans, who are unbeaten at home.

12 BRISBANE (12) 9-9

The The only reason they haven't dropped any lower after losing again - this time to the Titans - is that the four teams ranked below them all lost last weekend as well. But they could get back into the eight win a win and a Cowboys loss this weekend.

13 CANBERRA (13) 6-12

Theirs is a season to forget, but at least they are fortunate the only two teams below them on the competition table - the Sharks and Roosters - are finding it just as hard to win at the moment. Some joy between now and the end of the season would be nice.

14 WARRIORS (14) 6-1-11

They aren't the first team to be a taught a lesson by the Dragons this season - and they won't be the last. They are the lowest-scoring team in the competion and the Dragons have the best defence, so what hope did the Warriors have

15 CRONULLA (15) 5-13

Should have made a better contest of it than they did against the Storm, considering the opposition had some stars out, but perhaps a long, hard season is getting to them. Need to concentrate to make sure they finish it reasonably well.

16 SYDNEY ROOSTERS (16) 4-14

Not only are they red-hot favourites for the wooden spoon, but they have been clean swept by their arch-rivals the Rabbitohs, whose 40-20 win over them on Monday night means they have outscored them 92-32 this season.