The thing is - every sport has some sort of problem. Whether it's playing for penalties, match fixing, sexism, racism, insularity (yes, you Australian rules), the list goes on. The big question for the Australian Rugby League Commission is how to repair the NRL's image.

Education can only do so much. You can't blame ARL welfare officers for failing to tell players in their social media seminars: "By the way, taking photos in bathrooms of things that should never happen, even in bathrooms. Not a good idea." The general public will continue to think NRL players are overpaid, drunken buffoons if they continue to behave that way.

Cronulla did the right thing by sacking Todd Carney. Irrespective of whether you believe his juvenile prank was harmless, it was a terrible look for the game and if his club didn't banish him, the league would have made sure his playing days were over. Head office's lack of patience with trouble makers was underlined by last week's no-brainer decision to prevent Blake Ferguson from having a contract registered this year.

Even though many club officials have been too tolerant of misbehaving stars, players should have got the message loud and clear long ago that antics such as Carney's and Ferguson's indiscretions won't be allowed. But you know that in the next few days, weeks, or hopefully months or years, there will be another incident like this where the bone-headed player involved is bemused at having their contract put through the shredder.

The beauty of rugby league is that on the playing field, it's a lot less complicated. Here's how the teams are shaping up after round 16.

1. Sea Eagles (4): They are the team to beat. Their defence was great in their 24-16 win over the Roosters and has been for most of the season when they've had a full roster.

2. Panthers (1): A blip on the radar in Auckland last weekend. Their immediate future will rest on the injured ankle of Jamie Soward. On a side note, great to see Brent Kite bring up 300 games this weekend, one of the players the NRL would love to have in the headlines as often as the troublemakers.

3. Roosters (2): Just like in the Origin arena last year (and previous to that in the case of the No.7), the Roosters' halves duo made some crucial errors against Manly.

4. Bulldogs (5): Had the bye, very much needed the break.

5. Rabbitohs (3): Produced a very poor first half against the Cowboys and couldn't reel them in at Townsville. Their backline appears too reliant on Greg Inglis to create points.

6. Warriors (8): It's now at a stage where supercoach Andrew McFadden's troops will be disappointed if they don't make the finals. Knocking over the in-form Panthers was no easy feat and with many of their finals rivals suffering through the Origin period, the Warriors are up to eighth on the ladder and could even make a run at a high seeding and the big advantage for them of a home final.

7. Eels (6): Jarryd Hayne made 271 metres in their 16-10 loss to Newcastle last Sunday, way more than 100 metres better than any other Eel. A little help wouldn't go astray.

8. Tigers (10): It was as ugly as a Campbelltown mullet but the injury-hit Tigers proved two things in the west last Saturday night - they can grind out a win when the chips are down and the Raiders are beyond terrible.

9. Storm (7): The early return of Cooper Cronk to Origin III is crucial for Queensland's hopes of avoiding the clean sweep but it is also the be-all and/or end-all of Melbourne's finals hopes. Journeyman Ben Roberts and rookie Ben Hampton were outclassed by the Dragons in Wollongong on Monday night.

10. Dragons (11): If there is a buy of the season for 2014, surely it's Gareth Widdop. He has stepped out of the Storm shadows and he was the difference against his old team. Widdop's dominance can allow Benji Marshall to pick and choose his moments, which can only be beneficial for the Dragons.

11. Cowboys (12): Beating the Bunnies in Townsville continued their hot and cold season. Only wins in colder climes will impress.

12. Broncos (9): They led by 22-0 against a team which had not scored in a month with 25 minutes to go and they were run down. And with more than five minutes to spare. Last Friday night's loss to Cronulla was unforgivable. If it doesn't end up costing them a finals berth, it should.

13. Knights (13): There's been plenty of spirit in Newcastle this season, especially since the Tinkler era ended. Interchange forward Korbin Sims is starting to show why he's been tipped as a future star throughout the junior ranks.

14. Titans (14): Had the bye, just got home in a thriller.

15. Sharks (16): Unfortunately for Cronulla, a comeback win from 22 points down can't cure all their ills. At least it eased the pain momentarily before Todd Carney flushed it all away, the caretaker coach resigned and the ASADA saga dragged on for yet another week.

16. Raiders (15): Yes, there's a team playing worse than the Sharks. The Tigers were on the ropes for pretty much the entire contest last Saturday night but Canberra produced nothing when it came to landing even a body blow, let alone a knockout punch. The 19-18 losing scoreline flattered them.