That first round sure shook things up in the NRL. Now, what do those results mean for the Round 2? Bad news for the Bulldogs, for starters.
I can appreciate that Canterbury were trying to change it up a bit against Melbourne, although a few of the options they took to try to speed up their attack were ill-advised in the wet conditions.
But even if it’s (hopefully) dry against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night, the result is unlikely to get any better for the Dogs.
The Roosters were brilliant in the first half against Gold Coast. They lost their way in the second stanza, but they were too far in front for it to cost them the match.
I’ll forgive them that. Even allowing for their star-studded line-up, they were coming from a long way back after finishing 15th last season. Maybe the dominant nature of their opening 40 minutes was a bit of a shock to them as well and they lost some concentration.
The Titans, meanwhile, are being dogged by questions regarding superstar Jarryd Hayne’s commitment and attitude.
Already, they face a bit of an early-season crossroads game on the road against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Even allowing for the unpredictable nature of the Warriors, the Knights surprised by only going down narrowly across the ditch.
Newcastle only won one game all last season, but they’ll be sensing an opportunity against Gold Coast. This is going to be a test for the Titans against a Knights outfit that is bound to open up physically and try to get their home crowd rocking in support.
South Sydney are gone already in terms of making the top eight after another superstar, Greg Inglis, tore his ACL in the loss to Wests Tigers.
They faced a difficult task to get there even with him. You could almost feel the air going out of them when it became a reality that he was gone for the season.
But Manly, their opponents at Lottoland on Saturday night, have got their own issues.
The Sea Eagles went hard for about 20 minutes against Parramatta before losing intensity. The Eels, much more disciplined and better drilled, handled the early contest and went on to dominate the match.
Manly are another team we’re more likely not to see in the finals. There were already a few big holes in their side and now they’ve got a couple of forwards suspended going into a game against a Rabbitohs side that will be relying on their pack.
But if the Sea Eagles can’t get a win at home in this match, however narrowly, they’re travelling even worse than I thought.
Canberra were the best-looking losers in the first round and were even better than several of the winners. Going down in extra time on the road against North Queensland is no shame.
It was a quality game and if the Raiders reproduce that form at home against Cronulla on Saturday night they should win.
In losing first-up at home against Brisbane, the Sharks looked as though they might find it difficult to reproduce the same level of intensity that took them to last year’s premiership.
The departures of Ben Barba, who could give them a kick-start at any time with his zip out the back, and Michael Ennis, who drove them on mentally, hurt. Just how much we’ll have a very good idea of after four-to-six rounds.
St George Illawarra, barren in terms of their attack last season, registered easily the biggest shock by compiling 42 points in beating Penrith. Now the Panthers face a big challenge at Campbelltown on Sunday against a Tigers outfit that carved up the Rabbitohs.
The Panthers were one of the popular picks to win the title before the season kicked off. Maybe they were believing the publicity and forgot about actually doing the job against the Dragons.
Whatever happened, they need to switch on straight away against the Tigers and compete much better in the forwards, like they are capable of doing, or James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses will make life hell for them.
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Well the Raiders haven't made the best start to their campaign but as I have said, it is still early days. I would think you would get good odds for a Roosters vs Raiders GF at this stage. Way too early to call and I really don't see the Roosters going on with it. Keary and Pearce look good at the moment with their speed to the defensive line and runners keeping the defence in two minds. The Eels speed off the line in defence would bring this tactic undone as would a forward pack that would stop the Roosters forwards in their tracks. Not sure what Guerra's problem is but he better sort it out fast if he wants to keep his spot. IMO Gordon is not a FB (and hasn't been a decent one since his days at the Pink Panthers. Gordon should be playing on the wing and Connor Watson could play FB until Keary hits "the wall mediocrity" once more and then Watson will get moved to 5/8 while Joseph Manu will fill in at FB unless JTS proves he can follow in his brothers footsteps. I'm not sure what Joseph Manu has to do to crack a spot though. It is a strong backline for the Roosters but I would find a place for in at wing or centre (over SKD at least).
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
(not great but impressed) Oops! Should be: (not great but improved) Lichaa has NEVER impressed me and I am sure he never will.
Nostradamus
Guest
Hey SSTID, If the Roosters can get those poor mistakes out their game which I thought the dogs punished them for it will be them in the GF against the Raiders with THe Roosters Winning 22-10
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
If 10 of your players throw punches and none of the other team does I would be more worried about that SSTID
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
"South Sydney are gone already in terms of making the top eight..." Well Greg let's see if we can almost feel the air going out of you if Souths do make the top 8 (or even improve on that). Bold move making that prediction so early in the season especially when Souths have their own Valentine Holmes in Braiden Burns coming into the team. But then you probably picked the Sharks to win the premiership last year after round 1... did you?
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
The Dogs played well last night though they had problems in patches. The Roosters are surprising me to tell the truth particularly the Pearce/Keary halves combination. I'm not sure why he didn't step up to the plate like this at Souths (and if it is because Rusty gave him a lambasting at the start of the year then he is soft IMO). Last night even Lichaa had an improved game (not great but impressed). The more I am watching Josh Reynolds play the more I am thinking he should be Blues hooker. Still early days for ALL teams and it is never a smart call to call a team in or out of contention so early in the season. So Nostradamus who won the 2017 premiership? LOL. Lock in your "prediction" for the 2 Grand Finalists (and the eventual premiers) and let's see by seasons end if you live up to the name. Cheers ?
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Dean, I am sure the Bunnies will still have a very competitive year despite the loss as of Inglis. Now that Braiden Burns has been given a chance I think Souths will have FB covered. Given a few few weeks in first grade to find his feet and build his confidence I get a feeling Nadge will move him to FB when he realises AJ isn't firing on all cylinders. Dean, do you support the Rabbitohs mate? I don't remember seeing any direct reference to the team you support.
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Great idea! Then all the TV viewers will switch off. Would you want to watch a game of 13 against 3? Or even 13 against 10 for that matter? What about the corporate sponsors and all the advertising revenue? Don't think that they won't be pissed! Be a realist. it is a commercial decision. The NRL is as much a corporation these days as a sport. The sport is the product but the business looks at the bottom line and the cash flow. No corporate dollars will flow into the game if the NRL followed "The Barry Plan". They would not be willing to advertise each week if it is a crap shoot as to whether or not there will be a guaranteed audience.
Nostradamus
Guest
I think everyone is being to Harsh on the Dogs. Melb got of to a flyer and the Dogs fought hard to get back in the match until the weather played its part.
Marco
Guest
It's going to be tough. The team shouldn't have to rely on one player like Inglis, but he is such a powerhouse player it is a major blow losing him.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Exactly. It is hardly a deterrent at the moment if they are too scared to bin too many olay we ran at once.
bearfax
Guest
That's why Manly now have Blacktown Workers
Big Daddy
Guest
That's why its very important to have very good backup outside the top 25 players that are normally included in salary cap. Canberra with Mounties and Easts with wyong seem to have covered their options very well.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
If it gets to that point they should just send a few people. Honestly if you have 3 blokes on one team throwing punches, the team needs to suffer, at that point its a team issue.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree. If the rule is an automatic 10 in the bin it shouldn't matter if it ends up 13 on 3.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
12 on 11 seems fine to me, so does 13 on 11. Its meant to be a deterrent for a reason.
Silvertail47
Roar Rookie
eels47 ,was talking to Matty Elliot on weekend(asked him exactly that , he told his boys if one gets binned open slather) your right the whistle is put away , dosnt stop match review though , how can anyone take this seriously
matth
Guest
I hate to say it, but you just improved on perfection.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Similar happened on Friday. Kasiano and Chambers got binned but Vunivalu threw a cheap shot at Kasiano and got nothing. Either the refs missed it or they didn't want to make it 12 on 11.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Still supposed to get 10 in the bin though, which is also a major deterrent. BJ was lucky I think that the Raiders already had one in the bin and the refs didn't want them playing with 11 players, so they "missed" his punch.