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It didn’t take long to be excited, energised and pumped up that rugby league was back for 2011. The NRL season kicked off with an exhilarating round of games, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already intensely engaged.
Whilst there is a very long way to go, and we shouldn’t get too carried away with anything yet, some stories for the new season have already emerged, along with a few questions.
With that in mind, we take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly, from the opening round of the NRL.
The Good
The Roosters
My prediction that the Roosters wouldn’t make the 8 is looking shaky already. And they’ve only played one game!
Scoring 40 points without their most potent attacking player (Todd Carney) is an extremely impressive feat, and you would have to think they’re only going to get better. It seems the expansive, free flowing and attacking style of football they played last year will continue this season.
They will, however, need to tighten up their discipline, which was nothing short of terrible in the second half.
Jarrod Mullen
Mullen is almost the forgotten man when it comes to quality NSW halves. I rated him highly after he acquitted himself quite well at Origin level in 2007, but injuries and erratic form have meant that he hasn’t quite ‘kicked on’ in his career.
However, he exhibited all of his potential in Newcastle’s surprise thrashing of the Panthers. Still just 23, if he maintains the form he showed in Round One, he’ll put pressure on Mitchell Pearce for the sky blue number 7 jersey.
The Raiders
I thought I was being clever picking the Raiders as my dark horse team for 2011. However, I quickly realised that they’re almost everyone’s ‘bolter’ selection. And they showed why with a clinical demolition of the Sharks. Sam Williams NRL debut at halfback was nothing short of sensational, and it seems that Raiders fans had no reason to be anxious over Matt Orford being ruled out (along with Terry Campese’s injury status). Mind you, let’s not get too excited; it was only the Sharks. . .
The Refs
Titans fans might disagree, but I thought, on the whole, that the referee’s did a pretty good job on the weekend. I’m sure the fans of the teams that lost will disagree, but you need to give credit where it is due, and the refereeing standard was very high.
Hey, I better say something nice about the officials now, because I’m sure it won’t last!
The Bad
The Panthers
Watching Penrith on the weekend, you’d be forgiven for forgetting they finished second on the ladder last year. They were dreadful. There is no excuse for a first grade side to open the season with such a flat, lifeless performance, punctuated by some schoolboy errors.
They’ll be better for the hit-out, but they’ll need to pick their play up a few notches to avoid coach Matty Elliot tearing out what’s left of his hair.
Greg Inglis’ touches
Or lack thereof. Inglis is going to learn the hard way that playing outside of Chris Sandow isn’t the same as playing outside Cooper Cronk. The superstar centre had a quiet game, and Souths need to learn how to make the most of Inglis’ considerable talents. Interestingly, his old coach, Craig Bellamy, has come out and said he is better suited to fullback.
A switch to the back would certainly increase Inglis’ involvement in the game, but where does that leave Rhys Wesser?
Melbourne’s Depth
My first impression when the Storm ran onto the field on Saturday was ‘Where has their team gone?’.
The media concentrated heavily on Greg Inlgis leaving the Storm, yet you tend to forget that they also lost Ryan Hoffman, Brett White, Jeff Lima, Brett Finch and Luke MacDougall.
Not to mention the fact that over the last couple of seasons they’ve also said goodbye to Dallas Johnson, Steve Turner, Israel Folau, Michael Crocker, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeremy Smith, Matt King, Matt Geyer and Ben Cross.
It’s left them with a skeleton of the team they once had, and with lots of responsibility falling upon the shoulders of Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater. But don’t feel too sorry for them – they’ve had to shed that talent because they were cheating.
Injuries
If I could have one wish for season 2011, it would be that not one single player suffers a serious injury. Sadly, after just one round, it’s clear that wish won’t come true.
Even though I’m not a Warriors fan, I was gutted to see Manu Vatuvei suffer an injury to the medial ligament in his knee.
‘The Beast’ is expected to miss six weeks, but let’s hope the big winger makes a full recovery and returns sooner than that. Even worse for Knights fans, new recruit Neville Costigan broke his arm and will be sidelined for three months.
Whilst we’re all aware that injuries are a part of the game, it doesn’t make them anymore palatable.
The Ugly
The Sharks
I think it’s going to be a long season for Sharks fans. And when I say long, I don’t mean because they’ll still be playing in October. The Sharks were ugly in every sense of the word.
Johnathan Thurston
With long hair protruding out of his headgear, bulging eyes constantly looking for runners, and his ever-present mouthguard on show, JT certainly won’t be confused for a male model when he’s on the football field.
But on Friday night he reminded everyone why he’s the number one halfback in the game. Thurston put on a masterful display that raised the hopes of Cowboys fans for 2011.
The Dragons
Fans of the big red V won’t care, but it seems the Dragons will continue with a style of football that isn’t the most aesthetically appealing in the competition, yet, crucially, does gets results.
And really, that’s all that matters.
Non-Tigers football
Since the arrival of Benji Marshall, the Wests Tigers have played a brilliant and entertaining brand of football. Their style has won over so many fans that the Tigers own the unofficial tag of everyone’s ‘second favourite team’.
Yet, it’s not merely a case of style over substance: they won the premiership in 2005, and should have beaten eventual premiers, the Dragons, in last year’s finals. Clearly, they had attained rugby league nirvana: a style of football that entertained AND produced victories.
So it was with some shock that they opened their 2011 campaign with such a conservative and uninspiring display.
In fact, the only thing more surprising than their lack of attacking flair was their awful kicking game. (Hint: kicking to Ben Barba on the full is asking for trouble).
I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants the Tigers to play to their talents and ‘throw the ball around’ again.