With surprises, upsets, scandals and teams wrecked by injury, the first few rounds of the NRL competition have taught us that we know very little about how the 2015 season is going to pan out.
Despite this, after Round 1 people were already making big generalisations.
Everyone, take a big breath, keep calm, and remember we’re a long way from October.
My favourite big statement to be made about the season thus far was Phil Gould announcing, “Souths have forgotten how to lose”, and various media outlets asking whether Souths could go a whole season undefeated.
Really? After only three rounds?
The Bunnies are definitely one of this year’s form teams. Along with the Bulldogs, Roosters and Tigers they are leading the charge. However, it is extremely difficult to go a season undefeated. Injuries. State of Origin. An off night. These affect even the best teams.
We saw it on Friday, as Souths had an off night. They were ill-disciplined, looked flat, and had none of the flair which they displayed in Rounds 1 and 2. They were beaten by the better team, and congratulations to the Eels on a spirited performance.
The Eels are certainly this year’s unknown. Without Jarryd Hayne, many experts were unsure about how the Eels would perform and had the Eels missing the top eight.
Despite a big opener against the Sea Eagles, Rounds 2 and 3 saw the Eels hampered by injury and many wrote the Eels off two weeks ago following the loss of Semi Radradra and Beau Champion (added to the suspension of Junior Paulo).
Friday showed that the Eels are capable of defeating the top teams in the competition when they are on their game. They are a team with attacking prowess all over the field and when Chris Sandow is on, he is on. If the Eels can find consistency, even with injury concerns, they will be a force in 2015.
The final myth is the Cowboys. No one feels more resentment toward the Cowboys than me at the moment (I have tipped them every week so far including, despite common sense, this weekend).
While the Cowboys have been atrocious in their opening rounds, it is still far too early to write them off. I would never be so foolish as to write any team with Johnathan Thurston off.
Give the Cowboys some time to find their groove – we will see them there come October (but if they lose this weekend, I won’t be tipping them again for a while).
Whether your team is 0/3 or 2/4, the NRL season is still young, and anything can happen. Let’s not get too carried away.
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague
Muzz
Guest
I slap you : ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCBzX22YYRE
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
James, how good have they been!! A real surprise packet.
jamesb
Guest
"At the moment, the stand out teams for me are the Bunnies, Roosters, Panthers and Dogs." Mary, you might have to add Newcastle. They have won again today and are the only team undefeated.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It won't happen again, just gloat and enjoy every minute this time because next time it will be a totally different outcome, the Bunnies by 20+ next time that is.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I'm not writing them off at all (I'm a die hard South Sydney fan and have been since I was a kid, and that is going back to the 50's) I just wrote what I saw and what I felt after seeing the Souths and Parra game where they should have been on their A game and not how they played last night. But after seeing the Dogs and Wests/Tigers and the Roosters and the Panthers play Souths will have to be on their A game every time they play those sides to be able to win otherwise they will lose like they did last night. Simple as that.
djcooper
Roar Guru
The only person who was proclaiming souths would go through the season undefeated is Dean Ritchie and his credibility was shot years ago.
Muzz
Guest
Arthur's 2nd half strategy was brilliant.The Eels relentless 'up in their face' tempo may be a blue print for other coaches.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I know the feeling. Broncos have been outstandingly ordinary since 2011. If it makes you feel any better we bought Barba on huge coin and are still paying something like half of his salary. Two of our hopeful recruits have banged themselves up to the point of missing at least most of the season each. Thank goodness we off loaded Kennedy. the Sharks seem to be all about getting people on the rebound and hoping they come good...
The eye
Guest
the recruiting is just one of many anchors wrapped around the feet of this club.............that will be overcome
Tex
Guest
Apparently Luke wouldn't give back Sandow's TAB tickets
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Bunny lord, get your knickers out of a knot. Where did I say Souths were no longer good enough?
Jay C
Roar Guru
I dunno. Vidot has had a neutral input so far. Not sure if you could say the same about ol' Ben 'He'll come good eventually - remember that one time' Barba. Lol. Still too early to know what is going on with anything. Sharks should come good. Big game this weekend though. You wouldn't want to lose to the Titans...
Jay C
Roar Guru
Agreed. But the sky remains in place
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Loss to the Bulldogs was far bigger on the scoreboard than the difference between the two sides -- injuries to Parra really hurt their defence on the edges. This coming from a Bulldogs supporter.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Broncos are still mediocre, not spoon levels of mediocre, but pretty poor none the less.
The eye
Guest
a tad better than your man Vidot,and a tad worse than million dollar Milford
The Barry
Roar Guru
No one in their right mind would have written it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
And Dogs in 2012 prelim...
theHunter
Guest
They should have an award for the 'Upset of the Year'... :-) ...
E-Meter
Guest
How was our defence once we settled? That was a top win given our injuries woes. Parra cha cha cha