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Round 1 has passed and our 16 NRL teams have brushed off the cobwebs. Some remain dusty but others have polished up quite nicely.
Amidst the injuries, suspensions, swaps and returns let’s take a closer look at Round 2!
Running tip’s total: 6/8
Panthers versus Bulldogs
The Panthers showed great spirit in their defeat to the Raiders, pushing the green machine to the end, but the loss of James Segeyaro – who was close to best on ground before his departure – will hurt them enormously.
The Bulldogs were superb against Manly, Josh Reynolds was on fire and their pack had an excellent balance of size, skill and workrate with the reduced interchange. Much like the Panthers the Bulldogs have also lost their rake for a long period of time with Craig Garvey replacing the injured Michael Licha.
Chase Stanley is another notable absentee who will be replaced by debutant Kerrod Holland, but the big news, in every sense of the word, is the return of enforcer David Klemmer. Klemmer is sure to give the Panthers some headaches.
On the subject of headaches, Bulldogs coach Des Hasler must have a pleasant one when he strangely can’t find room in his 17 for the outstanding Shaun Lane for the second week running.
The Bulldogs to bark loud and bite just as hard.
Tip: Bulldogs 13+
Broncos v Warriors
Boy the Broncos have some depth. Jordan Kahu goes down injured and his replacement is an English international in the form of Jack Reed. The Broncos hardly got out of a second gear against Parramatta (with the exception of Corey Oates) but their defence remained as a resolute as ever.
The Warriors conversely offered an appalling excuse for defence with the Tigers tearing them to bits in the first half scoring 28 points in 40 minutes. The Warriors showed what they could do with some ad-lib footy in the second half but already questions need to be raised over coach Andrew McFadden’s tactics and selections.
Jeff Robson was unbelievably awful against the Tigers, offering no spark, with several crucial errors and a litany of poor options. The outstanding Tui Lolohea was instead left to catch a cold on the wing when he is a game breaking half in his own right.
Coupled with this was the bizarre decision to again leave Konrad Hurrel out of the side. Blake Ayshford was solid but he lacks the explosive game breaking capabilities that Hurrel has in spades. Lastly the decision to again include young hooker Nathaniel Roache on the bench after he too had an appalling match is ridiculous. Issac Luke is an 80-minute player and one that knows how to pass to someone’s chest from dummy half.
The Warriors will take time to get things right and it may be time their coach has merely borrowed unless he enacts some changes to the squad.
Tip: Broncos 1 to 12
Raiders v Roosters
The Raiders produced a gutsy performance in their win over the Panthers in Round 1, but none were as gutsy as Aiden Sezer though who played the majority of the match with a broken cheekbone. As a result he and his exciting halves partner Blake Austin will miss this clash and those are crucial blows.
While the Roosters were genuinely awful and seemed completely uninterested, teams tend to respond well to a drubbing and they certainly copped one at the hands of the Rabbitohs. It will be interesting to see how long coach Trent Robinson persists with Blake Ferguson in the custodian role because quite simply he is not a fullback.
They would perhaps be better served enacting a Valentine Holmes and Ben Barba type shift that the Sharks utilised to great success in 2015 between Fergusson and impressive youngster Latrell Mitchell.
Although Shaun Kenny-Dowall was the only player worth feeding last week the Roosters should bounce back to get the spoils here with the Raiders missing both of their playmakers.
Tip: Roosters 1 to 12
Rabbitohs v Knights
There’s not a great deal to say about this one. Every Rabbitoh was excellent last week in their drubbing of the Roosters whereas the Knights looked every bit the wooden spoon contender that punters have bet on.
Adam Reynolds and John Sutton are substantial losses for the bunnies but their cover is adequate and terrific in Luke Keary and George Burgess respectively. For the Knights, Nathan Brown has been rather over zealous in his attempts to revamp the side who’s insane amount of rookies were badly exposed by the Titans.
Tip: Rabbitohs by 13+
Eels v Cowboys
The Eels really suffered from the combination of Kieran Foran’s pre game scraping and Corey Norman’s departure at half time. With the pair combining in the NRL for the first time in this match their attack will be a lot sharper.
Defensively the Eels were excellent against the Broncos which bodes well for the future.
The Cowboys have named the exact same side that defeated the Sharks in Round 1 and that defeated the Broncos in the 2015 grand final.
It should be like clockwork for the Cowboys but don’t be surprised if the Eels push them to the final siren much like the Sharks.
Tip: Cowboys 1 to 12
Sharks v Dragons
This is a very interesting contest that pits the two most impressive losers from Round 1 against each other. The Sharks were mechanical and controlled against the Cowboys, pushing the reigning premiers for the full 80.
Similarly the Dragons put in an excellent showing against a quality Melbourne Storm and have named the same 17. The Sharks are missing Paul Gallen and Chris Heighington for this match through injury and suspension respectively.
Whether their cover in the form of Gerard Beale and Joseph Paulo is sufficient is the real question. On this occasion it is not.
Tip: Dragons 1 to 12
Storm v Titans
The Storm didn’t quite click into gear against the Dragons but their general quality ensured a win. The Titans on the other hand exceeded most NRL pundits expectations and put Newcastle to the sword.
While the decision to keep David Mead at fullback instead of returning incumbent William Zillman is a good one a trip to Melbourne will be a bridge to far for the boys from the Gold Coast.
Tip: Storm 13+
Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles
Behind the Sharks and the Dragons this game is the toughest of the round to pick a winner. The Tigers were incredible in the first half against the Warriors, producing football reminiscent of their 2005 glory days before fading badly in the second half after penalties and position mounted against them.
Conversely Manly were consistent from start to finish against the Bulldogs, namely, they were terrible for 80 minutes. Given the players at their disposal it was a truly dreadful showing outdone only by the Roosters in Round 1.
Manly will improve greatly especially with the addition of Brenton Lawrence to the bench but Trent Barrett may have to consider a positional swap between centre Jamie Lyon and five eighth Dylan Walker if the young play maker misfires again.
With the return of Luke Brooks the Tigers attack should be very sharp. Dene Halatau is a worthy defensive addition however Jack Littlejohn can consider himself hard done by to be dropped this week given a strong showing in Round 1.
At Leichardt Oval and with their captain Aaron Woods celebrating his 25th birthday on the Monday night the Tigers look like posting back to back wins to start the season.
Tip: Tigers 1 to 12
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