It’s early days, but already we’ve learnt some important lessons for NRL season 2017.
1. Dragons have an attack
Things look on the up for the team from Wollongong, a far cry from their 14 points per game average of 2016. The side saw off fierce competition from Auckland Nines runners-up the Penrith Panthers, crossing the line seven times for a record-breaking 42-10 victory at UOW Jubilee Oval.
Captain and five-eighth Gareth Widdop played arguably his best game since joining the Red V, crossing for two tries and kicking a perfect seven from seven conversions to lead the league with 22 points of his own at the end of Round 1.
With a halves combination that finally looks to have clicked, and players like Josh Dugan and Jason Nightingale in the backs, the Dragons could be finals contenders.
2. The Sydney Roosters are back to their best
2016 saw the Sydney Roosters rocked by numerous injuries and off-field issues, with none greater than the pre-season antics of star halfback Mitchell Pearce.
The Roosters were minor premiers an extraordinary three years in a row, before 2016 saw them fall to 15th ahead of only the Newcastle Knights.
The Roosters took on the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium and super it was, with the Chooks running in a five-try, 28-0 lead at halftime.
It wasn’t all their own way, with the Titans scoring three tries of their own, before young gun Latrell Mitchell crossed in the final minutes to cap off his first career hat-trick and give the Roosters a resounding 32-18 victory.
With the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner, Pearce and new recruit Luke Keary hitting the ground running, the Roosters look like their 2013 premiership winning side.
3. Ing-less Rabbitohs to remain winless?
The team from Redfern suffered a thumping loss at the hands of the Wests Tigers on Friday night.
Billed as a grudge match between Robbie Farah and his former side, the night ended up being one to forget for the boys in red and green, going down 34-18.
Star fullback and Australian international Greg Inglis ruptured his ACL early on and never looked the same, barely managing to run the ball.
The Rabbitohs haven’t shifted from the tactics that saw them win the 2014 premiership and it’s starting to show, with the side finishing seventh and 12th in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
A lot of pressure is on coach Michael Maguire and it won’t get any easier in Round 2, with the side travelling to LottoLand for a clash against Manly on Saturday night.
4. Knights are much improved
Newcastle travelled across the ditch for a blockbuster clash against a hard-hitting Warriors side. Almost inevitably, a winless streak spanning almost ten months saw the Knights fall agonisingly close, going down 26-22.
It wasn’t all bad though, with the side showing plenty of promise to come back from a 20-8 halftime scoreline and actually leading towards the back end of the game.
While not a perfect way to start off their 2017 campaign, the Knights look to have improved considerably on the defensive side of the ball, with Warriors winger Ken Maumalo saying “they were a lot better than last year”.
Next week, the Knights will look to get a win over the Titans in their first home game of the season.
5. The Bunker is better
With a reliance on the Bunker being taken away from referees in 2017, Round 1 saw much faster decision-making and fewer calls going up for review.
The Bunker was being used for seemingly every play in 2016, leaving fans bored while replay after replay was tediously shown for calls that referees should have been making.
With the NRL making changes to the rules, the Bunker will no longer be able to review knock-ons in general play or 40/20s, putting the onus back on the referees to improve the flow of the game.
While not perfect, Round 1 saw much improvement and should leave fans hopeful for the season ahead.
KenW
Guest
I don't think you'll find many that approach it from that direction. There's a section of RL fans that also like Super Rugby (you'll find a few on here), there's a few openly antagonistic (you'll find some of them here too), but the majority probably wouldn't recognise the Wallabies captain if they walked down the street in full kit. Union is a long way down the pecking order here and few see it as a competitor. League fans are much more likely to be concerned with AFL or (to a lesser extent) Soccer. With that said, any of those teams closing would have minimal impact on the NRL but I suppose if there was to be any benefit it would be in Melbourne or Perth where NRL has less support.
Eelsalmighty
Guest
And the Bunnies are down Reynolds (I can't see him playing this week) and Inglis, not to mention Gray, from a squad who's weakness from the get go was depth. If Manly can't pull this 1 off, even with your suspensions, she's going to be a very long season for you.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks TB. Sorry about that Max, now we know who is losing it and now I know why it always takes me an hour to find my car post match...donk!
steveng
Roar Rookie
Cody Walker, Bryson Goodwin and even Farah were the best for Souths, the rest were their usual ordinary or bad. But never mind all of us Souths diehards are still in there hoping for a miracle even though your thoughts are spot on Luke Vella. Go the Rabbits, were behind you, whatever happens.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Delta Goodrem NRL add is hot as is Delta Goodrem who is really hot, forget that its a ch9 add lol
milan
Guest
Guys I know am going off on a tangent here but i wanted to throw something into the mix. From what I have read (I am a brit over here in the UK btw) in the super rugby, one of the act brumbies or perth western force or melbourne rebles could be cut from the competition. Which would be the best one to go from the NRL's point of view?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Mate, it's a shocker. I'm itching for a run, hopefully it clears up. Slow outfields and low scores i'd say.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not yet MAX. Trains heading west to Belmore are heading towards the stand. Trains going east into town come from behind the stand. The stand is on the western Belmore side of the ground. The hill is on the eastern Campsie side of the ground.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahaha...I've got a mate at work in the same boat. He can't work out if he wants it to keep raining or if he needs time in the middle more...
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Jason. I must be losing it... always thought Belmore's stand was on the western side.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Good for cricket sides heading into the finals top of the table - saloon passage...Probably cursed myself there...sorry lads...Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Rumbletown has stands on the western and eastern sides. The eastern side stand is the biggest waste of space, a better design couldn't housed another 3-4000. Belmore's stand is on the east - but I get your drift Max. If only Manly could re-master its eastern void.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Another major thing we learned is that Channel 9 cannot be trusted with showing our game.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I dont watch that much telly which must be why, BUT I have heard about the ad.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I've seen a lot of ads on Nine with Delta Goodrem (I actually think it's a really good ad), but that is more focused on Nine's coverage than the season itself.
kk
Roar Pro
With Tapau and Fonua-Blake suspended for a fortnight Manly will have their famous fighting spirit tested against Souths followed by Cowboys. A most difficult testing start to 2017.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I have to say that if it wasnt for me actively pursuing updates etc through social media and forum I would have had no idea what was going on. Ive seen zero ads for the new season.
The eye
Guest
Onya Luke ! The most significant thing I learnt is that all things considered this is the Raiders premiership to lose..the rest of us are fighting for second..
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was texting a mate from the game and he said "It must feel so good being back at the footy!" and I was thinking "Actually, it's a bit meh..."
eels47
Roar Rookie
To be honest I had not noticed this, but I guess that is the point. The build up to the season was almost non existent now I think about it. What exactly are the marketing team at the NRL paid for?