Jamie Soward and Dean Young during the NRL, Round 4, Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday April 3, 2009. Dragons won 25-12. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
The finals series may be a few moons away but after watching the weekend’s rugby league action, it is the Dragons and Titans would already look to be the big improvers on last year’s form.
The Wayne Bennett factor does seem to be having the desired impact on the Red V with his structure doing well and each of his acquisitions looking incredibly shrewd.
Michael Weyman already looks a bolter for the NSW side and Neville Costigan seems to have taken his game to the next level even if he does look a bit weird in a number four jersey.
Second rower Matt Prior looks a like a real find as well, and you need to unearth those sorts of players if you are going to make a real push at the end of the season.
The Titans on the other hand look to have discovered the dual secrets of winning without Scott Prince and winning away from home. Not only that but Preston Campbell seem to be playing some of the best footy of his career.
Where do these blokes get it? I can injure myself while sleeping these days.
Both eluded them last year but with that in their locker they could make a real impact.
On Friday night, I felt very sorry for the Roosters recruitment and retention committee.
Those poor blokes must have hurt watched former Rooster Antonio Winterstein carve them up whilst the man who took his place Sisa Waqa looks badly short of first grade standard.
For the last two weeks I’ve heard the commentators refer to Waqa as a “tremendous athlete”. In my time I’ve found that to be code for “can’t pass, catch or tackle”.
I know Waqa is probably still learning the code but first grade probably isn’t the place to do it.
His defensive reads look terrible and if the coach Brad Fittler is going to persist with the Fijian maybe they should give Shaun Kenny Dowell some white gloves to make it easier for him to direct more of the opposing teams attack his way.
Maybe it is why Peter O’Sullivan has headed to South Africa.
South Sydney and the Bulldogs go head to head tonight and the winner may also count themselves in the select group of star performers of the early rounds, yet both probably have a way to go before they earn the same merit cards as the star pupils of the Titans and Dragons.
The man
Guest
The Saints are coming..... and great to hear you acknowledge the fact Steve. Once again, and I do hate to say it, I agree with with Spiro. St Wayne has provided what has always been lacking in a Dragons premiership tilt - early season success (rather than winning game one around this time) and some defensive "steel" that has not been a feature of any Saints team I can remember - they almost appear to have morphed into, dare I say it, the Dogs (cerca 85 rather than 08 variety). Long may it continue.
znotty
Guest
I agree with onside theres way to much blue in this years jumpers right across the comp.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
In my opinion Wayne Bennett is the buy of the decade for St George. He has the knack of improving the performance of most of his players. The ordinary players become good players. The good players become very good players. And troublesome players like Wendell Sailor become whole-hearted team players with plenty of spirit and verve to offer their team.
onside
Guest
The NRL must address the need for suitable away strips . COWBOYS :.. blue and white top, white shorts , and blue socks . TITANS :........ blue and white* top ,white shorts , and white socks *(with a dash of yellow) On television it was very difficult to tell the teams apart.