SAD NEWS: The Head Coach of the Canterbury Bulldogs has terminated his employment with the team today….

The Bulldogs are inside the top eight at the halfway point of the season for the first time since 2016, while Shane Flanagan’s Dragons are breathing fire.

The Origin period has already rocked some premiership contenders, while things have gone from bad to worse for the embattled Wests Tigers.

We paused our power rankings during the Origin-imposed split rounds but with a full complement of games this weekend it’s time to see where your team lands on our list.

The top four on the ladder, Storm, Sharks, Panthers and Dolphins have all endured inconsistent form over the past month.

Just when you think Origin should slow this juggernaut of an NRL club, once again their conveyor belt of talent steps up to the plate.

In their final hit-out before Origin teams were named, Penrith went to Cronulla to take on a 9-1 Sharks side sitting pretty on top of the table.

By the time the teams walked off Shark Park that Saturday night, it was the Sharks who’d been mauled in a 42-0 bloodbath.

Yes, they uncharacteristically gave up a 10-point halftime lead against the Dragons the following week but they beat Manly last week and there’s a reason they’re all the bookies favourite to win a fourth straight premiership.

They looked to be slipping off their perch after poor losses against the Panthers and Eels but Cronulla came roaring back to life against the Broncos last weekend.

The 22-12 statement win on Brisbane’s home turf even came after coach Craig Fitzgibbon rested NSW halfback Nicho Hynes.

Cameron McInnes backed up from his Origin debut with a 54-minute shift that helped guide his side to the upset victory.

The Sharks are trying to shake their flat track bullies tag after losing their past three finals clashes, and this win went a long way to silencing the critics.

We’ve arrived at the halfway point of the season and once again Craig Bellamy’s side sits on top of the ladder.