The first week is done and dusted and the glorious game of rugby league has, as expected, tossed up a host of upsets and classics inside of the first eight matches.
Round 1 tips: 6/8
Roosters vs Bulldogs
The new-look Roosters produced the most impressive first half performance of Round 1, racing to a 28-nil lead against the Titans. Their lack of execution in the second half left Trent Robinson with plenty to be desired, but the signs exist for a great season.
Conversely, the Bulldogs produced more of the same disjointed offerings from the back end of 2016. Josh Reynolds took personal responsibility for the result, but the problems are far deeper than the control of his emotions.
When it comes to the Dogs the word ‘safe’ comes to mind. Will Hopoate has a low error rate at fullback, Michael Lichaa is a no-frills hooker, and Des Hasler as a coach places ball security above all else. However, a safety-first approach won’t produce a premiership and this is a team that needs some spark.
Tip: Roosters 1-12
Warriors vs Storm
In typical fashion, the Warriors nearly found a way to lose the unlosable match. Enjoying a 20-8 lead against consecutive wooden spooners Newcastle, the Auckland-based side found themselves trailing 22-20 with just eight minutes remaining, before some Ryan Hoffman heroics secured the win.
On paper (as is always the case with the Warriors), this match should have been a shellacking but to the Knights’ credit, they fought hard and made the match competitive.
The Storm was similarly faced with a spirited Dogs outfit who lacked execution. In testing conditions, it was the Melbourne club’s deeply embedded professionalism that helped them minimise errors and hold on in the second half, despite a weight of possession falling the way of Canterbury.
Jesse Bromwich is a significant absentee for the Storm, with Tim Glasby entering the starting line-up in a match that will likely be decided on attitude.
Melbourne won the last encounter at Mt Smart Stadium 21-14 in Round 3, 2016.
Tip: Storm 1-12
Broncos vs Cowboys
This fixture has quickly become a favourite for neutrals. Of the three matches the two sides played in 2016, two went to golden point and the third match, a qualifying final encounter, was one of the best matches in the last decade.
The Broncos defeated defending premiers Cronulla to begin their 2017 season opener, with the individual brilliance of Anthony Milford in the 69th minute securing the two points. Brisbane have named the same 17, with the possibility that Benji Marshall could make his club debut.
The Cowboys also began 2017 with a victory, a golden point miracle try to Gavin Cooper snaring the two points over the Raiders. Antonio Winterstein replaces Javid Bowen on the wing and Shaun Fensom might well sneak his way into the final 17.
While the Cowboys have won their past two against the Broncos, Brisbane have won the last four at Suncorp against little brother.
Tip: Broncos 1-12
Knights vs Titans
The battle of armour sees the Knights take on the Titans in Newcastle and this one will be a lot closer than expected.
Newcastle showed enough in their narrow loss against the Warriors to suggest that the gradual rebuild will indeed begin in 2017. It may be a hard slog but, unlike 2016, there appears to be a genuine fight in the squad.
Dylan Pythian’s injury at fullback will cause some headaches and unfortunately, Brendan Elliot doesn’t offer the same finesse with the boot and sleight of hand.
The Titans will be looking to make amends after a poor showing against the Roosters. They bounced back in the second half but allowing your opposition a 28-0 halftime lead is a cardinal sin.
Tip: Titans 1-12
Manly vs Souths
This match pits two of the poorest performers of the opening round against one another.
Manly’s biggest problem in their loss to the Eels wasn’t their execution – they genuinely looked dangerous inside Parramatta’s half – rather it was their abysmal handling that prevented them from getting a roll on. Completing 22/32 sets is not NRL standard and the ageless Trent Barrett will soon look 50 if this continues.
Souths really struggled against the Tigers. Plenty of this was due to the lack of direction on offer in the absence of Adam Reynolds, while the injury to Greg Inglis also hurt, but their pack was dominated and out-enthused.
With Manly missing both Martin Taupau and Aiden Fonua-Blake, this is the perfect opportunity for Souths’ enforcers to regain their mojo.
Tip: Souths 1-12
Raiders vs Sharks
The Raiders suffered at the hands of the football gods, with the Cowboys scoring that unbelievable golden point try.
But in Round 2 the side are back in Canberra and Junior Paulo returns to the front row. Jack Wighton, who was a late scratching in Round 1, also takes his place in the side.
The Sharks lacked direction in Round 1, which was inevitable given the departure of half of their grand final winning spine in the off-season. Valentine Holmes is some chance of a return but Gerard Beale has been named at fullback. Beale is an adequate replacement but adequacy does not beat the top contenders nor win premierships. The same applies for new rake Jayden Brailey, who is destined to become a good player with more time in the top grade, but seemed out of his depth against the Broncos.
Tip: Raiders 1-12
Tigers vs Panthers
The battle of the big cats shapes as an absolute blockbuster.
The Tigers were on fire against Souths and ultimately the 34-18 final scoreline seriously flattered the Rabbitohs. The addition of Moses Suli at the expense of the hapless Jordan Rankin is a victory for the fans more than anything, while Matt McIlwrick and Jack Littlejohn played an understated but crucial servicing role from dummy half.
I won’t even mention the brilliance of the ‘Big Four’ and David Nofoaluma from last week – that was on ready display.
The Panthers were the worst performers in Round 1. Their forward pack was completely dominated by the Dragons and even in the sets where they established a good roll on, halves Te Maire Martin and Nathan Cleary lacked both organisation and a killer instinct for seizing opportunities.
It’s early days for the Panthers and I have no doubt they will click into gear soon, but in front of a big crowd at Campbeltown might not be the place that happens.
Tip: Tigers 1-12
Dragons vs Eels
The Dragons were the best performers in Round 1, shocking the NRL with their demolition of the Panthers.
They achieved that result on the back of incredible go-forward from the likes of Paul Vaughan, Jack de Bellin and Russell Packer. Cameron McInnes’ work from dummy half also added a dimension to their attack not seen in the Mitch Rein era.
The Eels were impressive against Manly in tough conditions. The biggest challenge for Parramatta is their spine’s week-to-week consistency. Bevan French is an excitement machine but is ultimately a rookie in the custodian role, Clinton Gutherson is an outside back turned playmaker, and Kaysa Pritchard is still finding his feet as a first grader.
Ultimately, for the first few rounds, the Eels’ fortunes will rely on the brilliant Corey Norman, who has enjoyed career-best form over the past 18 months and has the rare ability to lift those around him.
Tip: Eels 1-12
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Richard, there's a $10 weekly package through The Telegraph. It allows all games to be seen on a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or phone and includes Supercoach Gold, other sports channels and a subscription to The Telegraph online. Here's the link. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/10-a-week-for-daily-telegraph-sunday-telegraph-foxtel-play-sports-channels-and-supercoach-gold/news-story/de4cd6c28ad610e63ff99075e0bad0b6
Richard Maybury
Guest
My father who is a storm fan living in Victoria but cannot afford fox on his pension would love to watch this game but sadly due to Channel 9 having the rights he will miss out for a second week. At this rate, who could blame him for switching his allegiance to AFL. Sad that we lose these veterans to an inferior sports due to the vagaries of tv coverage.
James Preston
Roar Guru
Out of interest, who did you miss out on last week?
James Preston
Roar Guru
Plenty of good games this week but I agree with you, this should be the best one!
James Preston
Roar Guru
Not sure I agree with that Jacko - RTS is the captain and a NZ international at 23, Lolohea could be anything and players like Fusitua have been in first grade and excelling in it for a number of seasons. If there was a huge influx of new players for this season under 25 I would agree with you, but, again on paper - this is a premiership contending side as opposed to a Manly type rebuild.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Reynolds won't make that much of a difference, maybe his kicking will but having that appendix operation it will still be tender and raw and I'd rather he stays out and gets himself 100% before making a half pie return. Iit will be his first game and going into a hard game with the Sea Eagles won't be an easy thing for him. But, I still recon Souths will win by 6+, they have a good record at Brookvale and after the embarrassment last week the boys will regroup and just get over the line.
Aaron
Guest
I'm wrong actually. The Round 11 match last year didn't go to golden point, with the Cowboys sinking a field goal in the 75th minute.
Aaron
Guest
"Of the three matches the two sides played in 2016, two went to golden point and the third match, a qualifying final encounter, was one of the best matches in the last decade." That third match went to extra time as well. In fact, Broncos vs Cowboys has gone to extra time / golden point the past four encounters, going back to the 2015 Grand Final. This game will be a cracker. Broncos to get the points with a Ben Hunt show and go to seal the deal.
Joe
Roar Rookie
The only difference I have is Titans 13+ and Manly 1-12 although if Reynolds plays than agree could be Souths 1-12. Warriors v Storm game worries me, could go either way depending on how the Warriors start and how the Storm defend.
Jeremy
Guest
Also coming off an 6 from 8 round, I've got: Roosters- looked very good but will need to stay switched on for the 80 because the Dogs will stick around. Storm- too professional and clinical for the Warriors. Broncos- flip of a coin, take the Broncos at home. Knights- at home; fought hard against the Warriors; losing Pythian will hurt, but as a Knights fan I have to pick them. Souths- hearing Reynolds might be back. Even if he is not I feel like they've got a little too much for Manly to overcome. Raiders- unlucky against the Cowboys. They are big, powerful and flashy and should account for the slightly floundering Sharks. Panthers- I expect them to bounce back and show why they were considered contenders. Eels- Corey Norman. Also not sold on the Dragons resurgence just yet.
Jacko
Guest
i would just like to say that "on paper" the Warriors had 12 players 25 or under last week. I call that rebuilding
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Morning Preston, Roosters/Dogs, I can see the Roosters playing 80 minutes here and not 40 minutes; Roosters 13 plus Warriors/Storm, warriors 13 plus, a good start here will see them pile the points on, I think they got a good scare last game and will be ready for this. Broncos/Cowboys; hardest game of the round, Cowboys got out of jail last week... lots of ball and yet Canberra nearly won, Broncos won down south, but it really was the MILF show. not a game to punt on as its a 50/50 call. Draw!! Knights/Titans; Titans were horrible, and it was only that the Roosters clocked off that they didn't get 50 put on them. Knights showed guts and played for each other, they would have been gutted not to get the 2 points. Knights to win... and I may even have a little at the 13 plus. Manly/Souths; I said at the start, Manly will improve every week, a completely new team; it will just take time to gel together. manly defended very well last week, as expected their attack was a little off though... Can they beat Souths.... Souths will be down in the dumps with GI out; but they will come out hard. Again hard game to punt on... another that is 50/50; Manly should win at home, but something is telling me Souths will come out hard..... lets say Manly 1-12 in a very low scoring game Raiders vs Sharks; Raiders will want revenge; raiders 13 plus. First real run last week and yes they were a little off their game and yet were unlucky not to beat cowboys..... Sharks won their premiership last year..... they will win a few games this year, but the older folk in their team are another year older..... Sharks will struggle. easily 13 plus to raiders here. Tigers/Panthers; How bad were the Panthers last week, this comp is the most open comp in the world; any team can be beaten on the day.... Panthers just didn't turn up last week..... I have a feeling they are going to turn up this week, but will that be enough..... I dont think so; Tigers are a decent side and can push for top 4 this year, should be a great game, Tigers 1-12 Dragons/Eels round out the round; Dragons were great last week and in my opinion have one of the best packs in the game... huge overs at 2/1 last round, especially in the rain! One tip this year: when it rains, back the dragons!! In the dry its a different kettle of fish, their back line needs to stand up!! it did last week but can it do that week in/week out; this week will be a great test. Eels were impressive against the Eagles, but again they had a lot of ball and only scored 20 points..... do they have the attack to challenge good defenses? I'm sticking with the dragons this week and will go with Dragons 1-12 Its awesome that the Footy is back!!!