Everyone knows Round 2 is at least 15 rounds too early to be declaring teams chances for the season but I’m going to have a crack anyway.
Below is a brief overview of how I see each team’s status after two games and the range I see them gunning for on the final table. This is subject to massive change but I stand by it all, for the next seven days at least.
Broncos – have played the last two season’s premiers for an impressive win and a close loss. Controlling the pace of games very well and look to have a well balanced side. They’ll finish 3-6 on the ladder because of the Origin period.
Raiders – lost a tough, golden point game against the Cowboys but didn’t show up versus the Sharks. Life’s easier when expectations are low as opposed to being a premiership favourite. I still think they’ll end up 1-4.
Bulldogs – two close losses against two of the gun teams of the comp. Still massive question marks about their attack and the contribution of their halves. 6-12.
Sharks – off the pace against the Broncos but destroyed the Raiders. How they would replace Mick Ennis and Ben Barba were the big off season questions. Jayden Brailey has stepped up so far, Jack Bird killed it against the Raiders and Valentine Holmes is still to come back into the team. 3-6.
Titans – fought back in the second half against the Roosters after getting pumped in the first but then lost to the Knights in Round 2. Jarryd Hayne is out injured and the club is not living up to the off season hype so far. 8-14.
Sea Eagles – outclassed by Parramatta but defended strongly. Started brilliantly against the Rabbitohs but folded just as quickly. I see them struggling against the top teams. 12-16.
Storm – business as usual with tough wins in awful conditions away against the Dogs and Warriors. All things being even they’ll definitely be in the mix. Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris and hopefully Billy Slater to come back. 1-4.
Knights – couldn’t close out the game against the Warriors despite being on top for large parts of the game. They got the job done against the Titans. They will trouble teams but still a year or two too young. 15-16.
Warriors – more of the same? Big names, big expectations, ordinary performance. Class of SJ and RTS got them out of jail against the Knights but couldn’t really trouble the Storm. 8-14
Cowboys – two tough games, two tough wins. Matt Scott injury will test the already questionable depth in the engine room. Jason Taumalolo likely to miss next week too. 3-6.
Eels – Round 2 game yet to be played. Good against Manly but that form yet to be franked with the way the Eagles folded against Souths. 5-12.
Panthers – off-season golden boys but struggled against the Dragons. Got it together against the Tigers who were awful. Bryce Cartwright is struggling off the field and injured on it. These guys are the biggest wild cards in the comp for mine. 4-10.
Rabbitohs – hard to find a line with the Bunnies. Flogged by the Tigers. Beat Manly well but conceded three early tries. Better teams will not let them back in. The impact of Greg Inglis’ injury yet to be seen as is the impact of the Burgess twins ongoing poor form. Lot of salary cap to have in the stands. 9-15.
Dragons – Round 2 game not played yet. Big score against the Panthers but jury still out about their attack for mine. Not many of their tries were from structured play – which was their 2016 weakness. Effort and intensity outstanding. 7-13.
Roosters – I had them flagged for a top-two finish before the season started. Have looked devastating at times in both games – just not for 80 minutes. Their bench offers more variety than any other. 1-4
Tigers – Looked the goods against Souths but were a rabble against the Panthers today. If things go their way they’ll put teams to the sword. When they’re in an arm wrestle they’ll get dusted. 10-16.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, they were as you call it 'flogged' by the Tigers, but what you and allot of other commentators fail to see and read is that the Rabbitohs are not the best team in the wet, then add the injury to GI and GI being let to play on one leg which dramatized this game, add that this was their first game in the NRL comp, add all the other injuries that they sustained throughout this game and the Rabbits were shot to pieces. Yes, the Tigers played well but in their next encounter it won't be the same score and the Rabbits will have a life after GI. They proved that against Manly and things will and can only get better from here. Go The Rabbits!!!
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
That Tigers game was a total stuff up by the Medical and Coaching staff. If Souths had 13 fit players on the field for the entire 80 Minutes instead of just those 29 minutes only, the Rabbitohs would have won easily. Souths scored 14 points to nil in those 29 minutes. It was 2 points down the drain for little gain. Souths had 13 fit players against Manly for the entire 80 minutes and put 6 trys on them easily. It is so easy to see for experts such as myself to know that when Forwards go out of the game early injured and never to return they can be replaced, compensated for... BUT for Outside backs or Halves, it is a far different kettle of fish. Having 2 backline players injured early and having forwards playing centre, wing or in the halves disrupt the whole team, the whole structure. Do you think that the Knights would have still beaten the Titans with all their injury woes? No way... that is why Souths will put the knights away with ease next week. Hayne played only 29 minutes. Anthony Don, only 36 minutes. A huge disruption and although McQueen filled in at centre and runs the ball well his lateral defence against the speedsters isn't that great.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah - very good mail as usual. I'm not writing Souths off. But I'm not declaring them yet either. They were flogged by the Tigers - albeit with some very good excuses and bear a poor Manly side. I know Manly started well but they were very poor and under strength. What happens with Talakai now - is the centre experiment over? Will his next chance be as a bench edge forward?
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
How did you like my early mail player predictions? Spot on hey!
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Don't write off the Rabbitohs just yet! Your statement Barry? Burgess twins ongoing poor form. WOW, did you see the Souths V Manly Game? If you did you would see that when George came on Souths were struggling for field position. George came on and changed the game as he ran hard with power, pride and passion and had a fantastic 29-minute stint in which he gave the Rabbitohs much-needed field position 29 minutes, 10 runs for 123m and 2 tackle breaks. P.S. Manly didn't fold against Souths, Souths ran roughshod over them. Manly started well at the beginning of both halves but the game goes for 80 minutes. Not 17 minutes in the first half and 12 minutes in the second. Don't believe everything you read in the papers, 95% of it is just trash! TOM had a good game for the Bears and it is expected that both twins will be in the 17 for the Knights game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It will be interesting who Green puts in the front row. I still think they'll be in the mix but maybe 4-8. With the benefit of yesterday's game I would definitely have the Eels higher. Still not sure about the Dragons. While round one was uncharacteristic, so was round two with the number of errors they made.
Jara W
Guest
Lots of brave articles lately. Loving them! Can't argue too much about this one. Glad to see you've added another two contenders for the spoon. I'd possibly go one further and consider the bunnies. Geez the Cowboys will have their work cut out for them to go 3-6 now. Can't lose three rep props and still be a threat.... surely ;) Obvisouly didn't get the luxury of the Eels Dragons game. Eels a little bit low, and Dragons much too high imo.