Five questions from the first week of the NRL finals

What an opening round of finals footy! Four breathtaking games – three that went right down to the wire – in what was a fantastic advertisement for the game of rugby league.

With just the top teams playing this weekend, footy fans were treated to some elite level football. Though it would be natural to always expect high quality encounters when the best eight teams in the competition are playing each other, the truth is that many finals fail to live up to the hype.

Not this weekend.

Each game was brilliant in its own way, and with so much to discuss, there’s only one thing left to do: fire up the old ‘five questions machine‘…

1. Is Damien Cook a better hooker than Michael Lichaa?
When Michael Lichaa was signed by the Bulldogs as a replacement for Michael Ennis, it was done with much fanfare out Belmore way.

As respected and liked as Ennis was, the Dogs needed to build for the future, and signing the young Sharks hooker was lauded as a coup for the club; a savvy move that would benefit the team both short and long-term.

Lichaa had a steady year in his first season at the Dogs, before being ruled out for the rest of the season with a leg and ankle injury, after the club defeated the Gold Coast in Round 23. It was deemed a major blow for the Bulldogs, who were forced to call-up NSW Cup rake Damien Cook.

At the time, the 24-year-old hooker had not played a first grade game in 2015, with just four NRL appearances in total next to his name. It wasn’t exactly a resume that would be scaring opponents.

Yet Cook has been a revelation for Canterbury.

His speed running out from dummy-half has added another dimension to the Dogs attack, while his service with the ball has been first rate – a quality that is extremely complementary with the Dogs big forward pack.

In defence, despite his small stature, Cook has a textbook technique and has regularly put opposing forwards on their back with crunching tackles. Apart from the obvious momentum stopping that such plays provide, it also lifts his teammates. Seeing your smallest player dominate in defence delivers plenty of inspiration.

Cook’s performances have led to the question of who the Bulldogs’ best option at hooker is. Though thankfully Lichaa’s injury means it’s not a concern this season, the situation may come to a head next year, and on current form, you’d have say Cook may just get the nod.

2. Is James Maloney really the Sharks’ saviour?
Most Cronulla fans will tell you that the team will be unstoppable next year when they finally get an experienced, level-headed and talented player in the halves.

Though I’d agree that those qualities are exactly what the Sharks are currently lacking, my issue is that James Maloney doesn’t quite tick all those boxes.

He’s certainly experienced, and can be level-headed at times, but is Maloney really what you would call ‘talented’?

Don’t get me wrong, I think the current Roosters five-eighth is a good player. He certainly has ‘talent’, and I’m not suggesting that he doesn’t. What I am suggesting, is that Maloney is far from an elite-level half that will be a massive game-changer in attack for the Sharks.

For mine, Maloney is an above-average first-grader. Friday night was the perfect summary of who and what Maloney is: a good footballer who can have moments of positive impact for his team, but lacks the class, skills and sleight of hand of other halves in the competition.

Cronulla aren’t proclaiming that they’ve signed a Johnathan Thurston-like player next year, and the Sharks will certainly benefit from Maloney’s experience and leadership. There is also no doubt he’s upgrade from Jeff Robson.

However, if fans believe they’re getting a player that can turn a match like Blake Austin, Anthony Milford or Todd Carney, I think they’re going to be very, very disappointed.

3. Is Josh Reynolds a very good player, or not?
Josh Reynolds is the strangest footballer I’ve ever seen play. Strange in that after watching almost every first grade game he’s ever played, I still have no idea if he’s a very good player or not.

To say the Dogs five-eighth is a polarising player would be an understatement. There are many that believe Reynolds is absolute garbage, and just as many who believe he’s a very good player. In a confusing state of affairs, I find myself empathising with fans on both sides of the opinion fence.

Perhaps the truth – as it so often does – lies somewhere in the middle, for Reynolds himself can certainly be a little Jekyll and Hyde.

On Saturday night, he was, for the most part, very good. Though his game-winning field goal stole the headlines, there were other passages of play in which he was excellent as well. His defence had plenty of sting, while some of his short, stabbing kicks in general play were very effective, and his change-of-pace running set-up the Dogs late try.

Conversely, some of his other kicks were dreadful, his passing – especially going to his right – can be lower than schoolboy standard, and when tackling, he’s only ever a microsecond away from a very costly brain explosion.

So is Reynolds good or not?

Well, I know mum told me never to answer a question with a question, but I guess the accurate answer is . . . he can be?

4. Who enters next weekend with more momentum, the Cowboys or Sharks?
Good question, Ryan.

Thank you Mr. O’Connell.

The obvious answer is the Sharks, considering they’re coming off a 28-12 thrashing of the defending premiers.

Yet a win against the Bunnies is basically rugby league’s version of Fool’s Gold at present. Souths have been somewhat off the pace all year; a scenario that was compounded late in the season by suspensions and injuries to key players.

In their last four games, the Rabbitohs have lost 28-12, 30-0, 47-12 and 32-18, and some of those atrocious scorelines actually flatter them. So I’m not sure how much you can read into a big victory against the boys from Redfern.

Conversely, the Cowboys may have lost to the Broncos, but it was a cracking game and North Queensland could have easily won. Not to mention the fact that Brisbane are a quality side who are now just 80 minutes away from a grand final berth, so there’s no disgrace in narrowly losing to them.

So yes, the Sharks will be buoyed by their big win, but the Cowboys arguably enter the game with just as much momentum.

In fact, I’d say ‘more’, when you factor in previous week’s performances.

5. Where to now for the Dragons and Rabbitohs?
Despite being outmanned, outgunned and outmuscled, and with injuries hampering the team before and during the game, the Dragons gave the Bulldogs everything they could handle, and were actually very unlucky to lose in the end.

They were gutsy, courageous and tough. Any superlative you want to use would be more than apt. Credit must go to Paul McGregor and his players, with the Dragons deserving all the plaudits that come their way. None better than a simple, one word ‘respect’.

Though the loss of Trent Merrin will hurt, the Dragons are in good shape for next season.

Things are little murkier for the Bunnies. They desperately need to sign a quality player or two, because they’ve fallen back behind the pack a touch.

Defending your premiership is always difficult, and Souths struggled with injuries all year, but they shouldn’t be deceived into thinking they don’t need more talent to replace what they have lost.

For mine, Robbie Farah is a must at hooker, and I’d be checking on Sam Burgess’ happiness in rugby union once the World Cup finishes, because the Bunnies need an infusion of talent.