Round 4 of the National Rugby League has only just finished, yet it is already time to look ahead to next weekend and assess which matches and players are worth keeping an eye on in Round 5.
Can the Bulldogs recover?
It’s only early days, yet many pundits had the Bulldogs’ 2017 campaign on life support following their appalling display at Lottoland on Saturday, where they capitulated 36-0 to the Sea Eagles.
It was their worst performance on the season thus far, and among the poorest displays the team has put forward in Des Hasler’s time at the club.
Despite going into the match underdogs, it will not be an impossible task for the blue and whites to overcome the Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. Daunting, perhaps, but not unachievable.
Although they came away from their clash against the Canberra Raiders with the two competition points, the Broncos hardly looked convincing in the 13-12 victory.
A club famous for delivering when their backs are against the wall, the Bulldogs will be looking to show the critics that it is far too early to write them off in 2017, and put the embarrassing defeat against Manly in the rear-view mirror.
Can the Tigers improve on their promising Round 4 performance?
While the Wests Tigers lost to the Melbourne Storm 22-14 after leading 14-0, it was a much different football team than the one that took the field against the Canberra Raiders just a week prior.
Buoyed by a home crowd and eager to prove their worth following a week of controversy, the Tigers seemed a much more focused football side in the opening forty minutes. Of course, the Storm played a part in their own first half being as bad as it was with a spate of uncharacteristic errors and poor decision-making.
In the end, though, they proved why they are the benchmark of the competition with a 22-14 victory following a strong second half.
The Tigers’ next step is to put together the elusive consistent 80-minute performance. They achieved it against the Rabbitohs, but looked to be just making up the numbers in the rounds that followed.
While they have yet to announce a new head coach as of Sunday evening, the Tigers would do well to put their focus toward improving on their performance against the Storm, rather than the off-field controversy which has engulfed the troubled club in recent times. At the moment it’s the only thing they can really control.
Will Hess continue to get all the press?
In a team captained by the best player in the world right now in Johnathan Thurston, it was young back rower Coen Hess who led his team to victory against the Gold Coast Titans, helping his side narrowly defeat their Queensland rivals with an impressive two-try display.
Of course, consistent with the impatient nature of many within the game of rugby league, there were immediate calls to fast track him into the Queensland State of Origin team despite having played just 12 first grade games.
Admittedly, he has showed a remarkable level of maturity and composure which defies his lack of experience. It’s safe to say that everyone will have his eye on him in the Cowboys clash this Friday night against the Rabbitohs.
Can the Sharks string wins together?
It’s safe to say that consistency is a key element in defending a Premiership. And while the Sharks have been far from the worst team in the competition, they have yet to string together consecutive victories. Sure, we may only be four games in, but the Sharks must capitalise on their solid if unspectacular win over the Eels on the weekend and make a statement against the struggling Newcastle Knights, who are coming off a 40-0 drubbing against the Penrith Panthers.
Will Manly continue their run of good form, or will the Roosters prove themselves to be worthy premiership favourites?
Following the opening two rounds, one could be forgiven if they completely overlooked this clash as one of the most intriguing of the round. Just a fortnight ago Manly fans were readying themselves for another difficult season after opening their season with two losses – at home – to the Eels and Rabbitohs.
However, the Sea Eagles have bounced back into relevancy, as well as the Top 8, following two big wins over the Cowboys and Bulldogs, by a margin of 22 and 36 points respectively.
They face the toughest test of their season so far in the Sydney Roosters, who sit atop the ladder with the Melbourne Storm following an undefeated start to their season.
While their wins against the Cowboys and Bulldogs were impressive in their own right, Manly have a chance to prove themselves as genuine threats going forward if they are able to defeat the Roosters on Friday night at Lottoland.
For the boys from Bondi, this shapes as their greatest challenge thus far. While methodical in each of their victories thus far in 2017, the tricolours still have some work to do, and will look to step it up a level against an in-form Manly side. If they don’t, it may very well result in their first loss of the season.
So, you’ve read my list of five things to look out for in Round 5, but what are you looking forward to in the upcoming weekend of football? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Chook
Guest
Don't forget Inglis. He is the biggest impediment to South's going forward on the roster
steveng
Roar Rookie
It would be fairer and better for the fans if we adopted the time keeping of the AFL. At goal kicks, after a try, when the ball is out of play, the time should be stopped until either the kick is taken after either a penalty or a try. While and throughout the game, time should be stopped when the ball is out of play or play is stopped. This would be more entertaining and much fairer. And for gods sake get rid of the 'golden points' and make a draw a 1-1 completion point to each team.
bazza_titanfanatic
Guest
i have a comment not about the above time wasting re kicking 4 goal one match on saturday and i have noticed other games all the season player kicking walk along side ref and had a good yarn then had a 2 swigs of pick m up then looked 4 a towel wiped face the placed ball moved back oops not quite right lined up then kick ed the fucccccking thing over the post nearly 35 sec q is why is there not time blown off when the ref stands on mark bazza
Big Daddy
Guest
If the tigers had played with the same passion against Canberra as against storm Taylor would probably be still in a job.
Steve2
Guest
Unless a miracle happens and the twins recover their 2014 form I can't see the Rabbits doing much this year. Like the Dogs their recruitment has been diabolical. Blind Freddy could see they were short on props at the end of last year and yet instead of securing Nathan Brown they sign Robbie Farah. Makes no sense whatsoever and whoever was responsible for doing that particular deal should be shown the door. And like the Dogs they have a lot of deadwood they need to shed which is a hangover from the 2014 GF win. Players like Turner, Tyrell, Clark need to go and possibly the twins as well if they don't start earning their fat pay check. I think both the Dogs and Souths are 2 years away from being serious contenders.
Big Willy TBU
Guest
Coen Hess also scored a try against the Raiders to massively help his team in a game the Cowboys won by one point. He looks remarkably like a rugby convert except he is making a success of it where so many others from that code have failed.
steveng
Roar Rookie
My only question is "Can the Rabbitohs recover and improve?" as they have some very hard games coming up in the next few weeks and by their form and application it looks like they will just slip further and further down the ladder. Everyone talks about the Tigers and Dogs but the Rabbitohs have some very serious issues that can't be fixed without any major changes at the club. Their forward pack is just slipping further and further backward, the Burgi twins are not doing nothing, Jason Clark shouldn't be in the side as is Kyle Turner. there doing nothing and can't compete with the top forward packs. Madge has gone with the same interchange for weeks now and its had no affect. Damien Cook should be running on instead of Robbie Farah and Madge should be applying him for 80min, which is not happening. Souths recruiting for forwards has been 'none existent' for this year and they are paying the price and will pay the price all this season. What are your thoughts?
Albo
Guest
What the Sharks did on Saturday was to take their few opportunities well, and then scramble well in defence to restrict the Eels their few chances. It basically came down to the Sharks better experience in how to win games. Norman the Eels main man was well contained all night and with the team's regular errors, little pressure was placed on the Sharks and where it was, their defence handled it well. The Eels will still be a force this year I believe, but will need their pack to remain solid, and Norman to be at his best so that their strike forces like Jennings, Semi & French are regularly brought into the game with opportunities to use their speed.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I don't know if the Dogs can turn it around or not. I really think Lichaa would be better if the shackles were loosened a bit and he was allowed to play a bit of footy. Mbye looked like he was in a bit more control ion round 1, but I am not sure that is actually the case, he seems to be struggling a bit with running the team. I also think that Tolman and Graham as starting props just doesn't work. They are too similar and neither offers any real "punch". On paper the Dogs are better than they are showing, but they don't look like they are capable of turning it around unfortunately. The Tigers started the game on emotion and Melbourne just withstood it and came out on top. They will continue to struggle unless the forwards can be more dominant, which I just don't see with their current pack. This will also not allow their young halves to even try to live up to the expectations, further compounding their issues. Hess looks to be the real deal, and might just find himself in a maroon jersey later in the year, although it will more than likely be next year I think. He is so strong close to the line, and has really stepped up with the injuries and suspensions. The Sharks look good, although the Eels were terrible. Maloney is the key. If he can keep up his form they will keep winning. On top of this Lewis is still playing great footy at the end of his career and Gallen is not trying to do everything, which helps. Segyaro offers some more dynamic play at hooker, but I hope Brailey doesn't lose too much game time, he looks the goods. If the Manly from this weekend shows up against the Roosters it will be a cracking game and the Roosters will have to put in an 80 minute performance to win, something they haven't done yet. Being bias, the question I want answered is what happened to the discipline shown by the Eels in the first 2 rounds? Again on Saturday night there were far too many errors, many of which were unforced, with silly passes. The Sharks, who were not outstanding by any means, then made them pay for their errors. I guess the inexperience in key positions doesn't help, but it has been such a change from round 1 and 2 to rounds 3 and 4.
Albo
Guest
1. The Dogs ( like the Warriors) need a complete clean out in my opinion, to be any chance this season or the next few. I am not familiar with the talent they might have hidden in the lower grades, but they are in desperate need of finding a useable spine and some on-field leadership. Whilst big and powerful surely they are the slowest team in the NRL ? Finding a few forwards who can run might also be a good start here. 2. The Tigers are also in need of some forwards before they will get any sort of consistency in their game. The trouble is their roster has been so badly managed that they have no money left to buy some ! They are paying out millions to their sacked coaches, to Souths for Farah, trying to keep their "big 4" happy, and seriously did they really pay $1.2m for young winger Moses Suli ?? I can't see the Tigers emerging with any consistency until they sack the board and start all over again. 3.Coen Hess is beauty ! The wraps are warranted and he fits nicely into their star backrow alongside Cooper, Lowe, and Taumalolo. He may have to double as a prop from time to time to make up for the losses they have had there ( Scott & Tamau ). He would not be out of place in a QLD jumper in the near future. 4. The Sharks are a good solid outfit with a real chance of going back to back as long as they can keep Maloney, Lewis & Graham on the field. The rest work well when these three are amongst them. Their defence is looking more and more like the Storm's and they are being well served by their rookie hooker Brailey who is budding star. I can see them going on a similar winning streak as last year. 5. Manly have enough attacking flair to win matches. Just how many they will win will be determined by the improvement left in their pack of forwards to give some more consistency to the go forward for DCE and Tom T to create. This weeks test against the high flying Chooks will be a good guide to the potential for Manly going forward. The Chooks have big pack, big outside backs and in form halves leading them around the park. They were lucky to beat Penrith and have yet to put a full commanding 80 minutes together, but their potential to improve is great as the season progresses. They look to be one of the teams to beat this year.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs certainly have their work cut out for them. Judging by the comments on their social media, their fans are extremely unhappy, so the fans that do show up on Thursday deserve to be repaid with a good performance. We know there's talent in the team, but something just isn't gelling. It's hard to get a read on the Tigers at the moment. And it's hard to get a read on the Dragons. This week's game will be a tipster's nightmare and I think the Tigers' performance will entirely depend on whether the Dragons show up or not. It's good to see so many great young players coming through at the Cowboys. With JT and Scott getting older, you'd hate to see them drift into obscurity after they retire. Newcastle have shown us how dangerous it is for regional teams when they have no succession plan. The Sharks' biggest problem seemed to be that they were lacking direction from their hooker. This problem appears to be solved. Sure he's only new to the team, but he'll only get better. I can't believe Roosters v Manly is the 6pm game on Friday. Given Manly's recent form this should be match of the round. These two sides (even though they're probably the two most maligned teams in the comp) always put on a good show. Their 2013 Qualifying Final that resulted in a 4-0 win to the Roosters is one of the most exciting games I've ever seen.