Overall: After winning their first four games, the Knights looked like premiership contenders. However winning just one of their next eight games has them more concerned about avoiding the spoon. Rick Stone has his work cut out. 6 Projected finish: 16th Most improved: Dane Gagai Best player: Dane Gagai Best buy: Tariq Sims

Most underrated: Korbin Sims Canberra Raiders Attack: The Raiders have scored the most tries of any team. Ricky Stuart has them playing an exciting brand of football, especially when they are playing catch-up. Blake Austin has been the best buy of the season and is one of the form players of the competition. Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker are now established first graders and are leading this team well in attack. 8.5 Defence: The Raiders have been their own worst enemy in 2015. They continually shoot themselves in the foot by giving up large leads in the first half. Their defence is the worst in the NRL. In the first half they have been diabolical, but their second half defence is a complete contrast. If they can find that consistency they will win more games than they lose. 5 Overall: Credit has to go to Stuart. He was criticised for the recruits he picked up, but Iosia Soliola, Frank Paul Nuausala and Austin have transformed this team into top eight contenders. 7

Projected finish: 11th Most improved: Iosia Soliola Best player: Blake Austin Best Buy: Blake Austin Most underrated: Kurt Baptiste

​South Sydney Rabbitohs Attack: The two injuries to halfback Adam Reynolds have crippled South Sydney. His absence has shown just how important he is to the Rabbitohs, who look half the team they were last year without their No.7. When he returns the Rabbitohs will make another big charge in their title defence. The form of Greg Inglis and Dylan Walker is below what was expected. George Burgess is also down on form and the Rabbitohs lack the punch they had last year with Sam Burgess. 7.5 Defence: Given the large changeover of players and the number of players defending out of position this year, the Rabbitohs aren't the organised unit they once were. They still have the capability to defend their own line but it isn't as reliable. Coach Michael Maguire will fix that when his team returns to full strength. 7.5 Overall: South Sydney have been plagued by injury in their title defence. They aren't as intimidating as they once were but they will be there when it matters. Maguire is just waiting to get all his troops back before they make their run. 7.5 Projected finish: 6th

Most improved: Chris Grevsmuhl Best player: Alex Johnston Best Buy: Glenn Stewart Most underrated: Tom Burgess New Zealand Warriors

Attack: This is the most exciting football team to watch. Shaun Johnson is a freak and now he has a posse of players around him who complement his flamboyant style. Coach Andrew McFadden has done a good job bringing through some exciting young talent, while the acquisition of Ryan Hoffman has added the composure and steel they have lacked in the past. 8.5 Defence: The importance is still on attack but the Warriors aren't as attack-reliant as they once were. McFadden is trying to instil a mental toughness they have struggled with in previous campaigns. It's the one aspect of their game preventing the Warriors from going from pretenders to contenders. 7 Overall: The Warriors traditionally rely on strong finishes to the year to make up for their slow starts. As they approach the half-way point they are in seventh position and will be hoping to secure a home final. This is their best shot in years at challenging for the title. 7.5 Projected finish: 5th Most improved: Tuimoala Lolohea

Best player: Shaun Johnson Best Buy: Ryan Hoffman Most underrated: Chad Townsend Penrith Panthers Attack: The Panthers have struggled to get going given they've been without their halves for most of the season. Injuries to Jamal Idris, Dean Whare, James Segeyaro and Lewis Brown have also compounded their woes. Now the 10-week injury to Matt Moylan is the biggest blow of the lot. Barring any more injuries, the Panthers should be full strength for the finals - they just have to get there. 6.5

Defence: The Panthers defensive record isn't as bad as some sides' but they still lack some of the desire and desperation they showed last year. Like South Sydney, they too will benefit from having players in regular positions later in the year, but for now they need to try to find a way to repel teams from their tryline. 7 Overall: Big things were expected of the Panthers this season given their charge to the preliminary finals last year. However injuries have hampered their season. They need Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace to stay injury-free to have a chance. 7 Projected finish: 8th Most improved: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Best player: Matt Moylan

Best Buy: Apisai Koroisau Most underrated: Dean Whare Cronulla Sharks Attack: Ben Barba hasn't lived up to the hopes of the Sharks coaching staff. They planned the pre-season around Barba at five-eighth but were forced into playing Jack Bird in the halves after a poor start. Bird has been sensational in his rookie season, but the Sharks still lack the ability to score enough points to win games against teams they should beat. Finding the right position for Valentine Holmes is vital, because he is their best attacking weapon. 6 Defence: The Sharks are missing the presence of Paul Gallen in the middle. Before the Dragons put 40 on them in round 12 their defence hadn't been too bad but skipper Gallen provides them with the presence and leadership that unites their defensive line. His efforts inspire his teammates. 6

Overall: The Sharks have a good team on paper but that isn't translating into results. With Andrew Fifita up front with Paul Gallen and youngsters Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes adding some much needed spark, the Sharks are capable of challenging the big teams but are struggling at the moment. 6 Projected finish: 12th Most improved: Valentine Holmes Best player: Jack Bird Best Buy: Jack Bird

Most underrated: Jayson Bukuya Sydney Roosters Attack: The Roosters have the best attacking team with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Michael Jennings, Blake Ferguson and Mitchell Pearce. But it has been the form of the Warriors-bound Tuivasa-Sheck that has been the highlight of their attack. He's developing into one of the game's best fullbacks and will be severely missed next season. 8.5 Defence: Since Trent Robinson took over as coach in 2013 the Roosters have been the best defensive team in the competition. While the Dragons are ranked ahead of them after 12 rounds, they still pride themselves on defence and remain the benchmark in the competition. Their goal-line desperation is second to none. 9 Overall: The Roosters have quite a few players involved in Origin but they should be able to finish the season in the top four. If Pearce can return to his best, the Roosters are a big chance of winning their second premiership in three years. 8.5

Predicted finish: 2nd Most improved: Sam Moa Best player: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Best Buy: Blake Ferguson Most underrated: Mitch Aubusson

Melbourne Storm Attack: Each year there are question marks over the big three and their ability to lead the Storm to the finals. Once again they have proved the critics wrong and have Melbourne singing along in the top four. The signing of Blake Green has added some stability they lacked last season without Cooper Cronk, while their forward pack continues to develop into one of the most efficient packs in the game, led by Jesse Bromwich. 8 Defence: The Storm rarely leak soft points, which is why coach Craig Bellamy was so frustrated after his side's 24-2 loss to the Roosters last week. Their defence is strong and a lot of that comes back to the communication at the back from fullback Billy Slater. 8.5 Overall: Melbourne's premiership hopes rest on the ability of the big three to recover from the toll of Origin. If the loss to the Roosters is any indication, they may struggle at the end of the year when fatigue really kicks in. 8 Predicted finish: 7th

Most improved: Marika Koroibete Best player: Jesse Bromwich Best Buy: Blake Green Most underrated: Jordan McLean More rugby league at LeagueHQ