In what was a difficult round for punters some turning points have emerged this weekend’s games so far for the 2015 competition.
Manly are gone for the year
Before the beginning of the season I predicted that three teams that were in the eight last year would not make it this year. Much to the disgust of Manly fans they were one team I nominated.
After the 28-16 loss to the depleted Bulldogs and with their own long list of injuries Manly seem well and truly out on contention for the top eight Manly face the Storm next up which is looking like the final nail in Manly’s coffin so far as the eight is concerned, but no doubt many of the Manly faithfull will cling to hope.
The truth is that Manly will struggle to avoid the spoon and need to seriously look at the rest of the season as a time to start rebuilding and give up their hopes for this year.
Dragons look like contenders
The Dragons derided by many, including the bookies, as potential cellar dwellers, are breathing fire and starting to earn the respect of opposing teams after their 12-10 win over a committed Broncos team. Now at the top of the table on 10 points they face the Roosters and Souths next up, before the Raiders and their first bye.
The Dragons are virtually injury free, with only Frizzell out suspended. They will face a Roosters side desperate for a win after three losses, followed by a Souths side with greatly diminished forward strength from last year and a backline trying to adjust to the absence of half Reynolds.
The Dragons also have a number of NRL experienced replacements available as demonstrated by the strong displays of Mata’Utai and Matthews against the Broncos.
The Dragons are starting to look like top four contenders, but are still developing.
Broncos building blocks running short?
The Broncos put on a very committed performance against the Dragons which they could have won, but they did not and the Broncos have come from the game with additional injury concerns to captain Hodges and Alex Glenn.
The Broncos are looking for coach Bennett to build a premiership with only limited building blocks available, with Bennett having to turn to his fifth choice fullback against the Dragons the replacement ranks are looking very bare in the lead up to the representative period.
Brisbane face the hungry Eels, Panthers and Cowboys and then play the Knights in the first bye round. Bennett is reported to be looking forward to the week off for the Anzac Test to rebuild but it is looking like the Origin period will sorely test the reserve strength of the Broncos and could result in them faltering in their quest for the eight or just limping in like last year.
Panthers leaderless?
With the seemingly endless junior strength at the Panthers it is surprising that they seem to be unable to fill the gap left by Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace. It may also be that the return of Soward and Wallace may not be sufficient to restore a cohesive performance immediately.
The problem seems to be one of experience and leadership, rather than raw ability and unless the Panthers can get their act together soon they may fail to make the eight
Storm and Roosters look the goods
Both teams have limited injuries at this stage of the season and in a close match both demonstrate strong defence and slick attack which is making them top four contenders.
At the start of the season, I was of the view that the Storm was too reliant on the ageing big three and would struggle to make the eight if they succumbed to injury. To date the Storm has been almost injury free and the current injury to fullback Slater which has seen a credible replacement in the form of Munster.
The real strength of the Storm this year is their forwards, who will largely be spared Origin commitments, but I think we need to see how the Storm come through the origin period before confirming their top four credentials.
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