NRL heavyweights predicted one of the most open competitions on record, and the competition’s longest-struggling clubs delivered.
For the first time in the 110-year history of the NRL, ARL and NSWRL competitions, each of the bottom four teams from the previous season won their opening-round clashes this weekend.
It comes after one of the busiest off-seasons in the game’s history saw more than $12 million splashed on the biggest 17 recruits for this year alone.
“I think it’ll be a very tight competition going by the first round,” Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said.
“It typifies what I’m saying, I think a lot of rosters have improved, which is good.”
Tight could be an understatement.
Both the Wests Tigers and Newcastle benefited bigtime from their recruitment drives.
Kalyn Ponga was the Knights’ best against Manly on Friday night in front of the biggest crowd of the Nathan Brown era, before Mitchell Pearce sent 23,000 people into raptures in golden point.
At the Wests Tigers it was the returning face of Benji Marshall that helped the merged club keep their cool, even after halfback Luke Brooks was sin-binned for 10 minutes in an enthralling affair.
With everything on the line, Corey Thompson scored the match-winner for the Tigers.
The Warriors too benefited from the composure of Blake Green in the No.6 jersey.
One of the lesser-name halves to move during the off-season, Green proved his addition could be as vital as any with the way he controlled the game providing the perfect foil for Shaun Johnson.
The Warriors win over South Sydney also ended their horror run in Perth, The victory in front of 38,000 fans as part of the Optus Stadium double-header was their first in the west from 10 attempts.
It would have been the kind of upset Todd Greenberg was hoping for when he declared the 2018 premiership race one of the most open he had ever seen.
Gold Coast made history of their own when they pulled off the biggest comeback in Titans history to beat Canberra.
Down 18-0 and then 24-6 in the first half, recruit Michael Gordon’s composure and accuracy with the boot helped them to a 30-28 victory.
In total, five of the teams who missed last year’s finals chalked up wins on the opening weekend, after St George Illawarra’s season-opening defeat of Brisbane.
In comparison, Melbourne were the only top eight team to account for a rival that missed the finals, having beaten Canterbury in the second match of the Perth double-header.
Critics know never to judge too much from round one. But in 2018, more long-suffering fans than every have a reason to believe.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
All .progress.
Bill Moi
Roar Rookie
How sad a sport with clubs that need to play away from their homeground to make money! But when Souths (Sydney's biggest club) couldnt pull 10,000 through the gates the last few years they need to do something
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Actual paying fans, mostly from WA.In -Laws (Dragon's fans) live there and have done so for 5 years,they attended, and will attend SOO and be involved any NRL team that domiciles itself in that city. Stadium has been used prior by other codes, including one who charged zero )to get in.The novelty factor was really with the double header less than initial and earlier events. The West Australian newspaper hardly a promoter of rl, gave the event a decent wrap on 12th March. In fact the Rabbitohs are extending their 10 year relationship with WA. The WA Govt is also prepared to put in dosh, they see an NRL club down the line. It's all progress.
Bill Moi
Roar Rookie
People went to the NRL to look at the new stadium! If there was that many Rugby League fans in Perth why didn't they go to the double header during the "World" Cup? Crosscoder thinks its the be all and end all pinnacle of the sport.. nobody else does obviously
Trevor
Guest
But the AFL game was free entry. Hardly comparable.
Bill Moi
Roar Rookie
Crosscoder looking over his shoulder again at other sports! Just a pity a womens AFL game got more people than 2 mens NRL games at the same stadium. Perth people love it
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Can't really complain about Rd1 despite my team's loss. Unexpected win results from teams expected to be also rans(understand early days),however the commitment,conditioning and teamwork were there at the seasons' start.Something missing from those teams last year in many instances .Record membership already, indicates a lot of people perhaps believe they will have a more competitive team Good crowds,soem close score,Perth stadium looked fabulous.My Brother in Law and his son (both Perth residents(not Kiwis) and rl fans and Cam Smith lovers what the!) attended the double header.A good promotion and an indication there is enough interest to establish an NRL team there, even allowing for a few thousand East Coasters who may have attended. Salary caps operate in most codes here.Let's face it the Broncos with all the 3rd party and Salary cap ops,hardly set the world on fire.A one team town. FitzSimons always bagged the NRL for salary caps as a restraint of trade, ignoring the fact it operates in the then S15. And completely ignoring the fact, a player does not have to sign with tax club if he is unhappy with the loot provided or available.Exhibit A James Maloney.
Mushi
Guest
The rationale behind it (salary cap) doesn't make sense to me. You've seen the opposite thing happen elsewhere because very good teams have rosters that are incredibly undervalued and everyone has money to spend. Typically good players will then pick the good clubs and the bad clubs get stuck with mid tier guys on super star salaries because the money burnt a hole in their pocket during a one off inflated market.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I saw the Sharks not given dead set penalties that they should have had. Of Course, you would think the Refs did a good job, they favoured your mob and you won!
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
You are obviously talking about Souths No TRY off a perfect pass that wasn't even flat by today's standard it was a half a metre backwards. The Refs certainly know how to stuff up the Rabbitohs. Warriors get the scrum, then a penalty 2 rucks later and go down and score. It would have been 16 All at halftime instead it was a 10 point turnaround to the Warriors and they lead by 10 at the break 20 to 10. Souths lost by 10. Coincidence? I think not! Prety Pathetic.
Albo
Guest
It might be an open season for possible spots inside the top 8, but as far as true premiership contenders, at this early stage, it looks like two only serious contenders in the Storm & Cowboys for mine.
Alan
Guest
Open yes but has the standard of footy improved or has it just been watered down? I think the desire for evenness is to the detriment of the standard of the game. The first few rounds are always a bit rusty but there was some very ordinary footy played.
KingCowboy
Guest
What a great round of footy. Very happy with our win. Thought the Refs did a great job in some hard conditions. A lot of people will find something to complain about but some people you can't keep happy. Bring on round two and the mighty cows should get a comfortable win against the donkeys!
Mushi
Guest
It's also very early to be claiming how open the year will be.
Mushi
Guest
They've been getting wrong all year!
Doug Stables
Guest
I agree Steve,some play the balls got pulled some didn't, lets have consistency.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The refereeing is still the most contentious and frustrating part of the NRL and the thing that is holding this great game back to being the best game to watch in any sport!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Bit early to get the tin foil hat out mate
BA Sports
Guest
Excluding the 2 games played on neutral sites - The penalty counts were won by the home teams in all of the other six matches. Rd 1 games usually get good crowds, and this year was no exception. I don't think there is any coincidence therefore that the home teams all won those penalty counts! - Shows the value of getting round 1 game at home...
steveng
Roar Rookie
That should read, 'NRL makes sure (with help from the refs) for most open season yet' some of the refereeing decisions have been a bit suspect (especially the Raiders v Titans) and there is allot for the NRL to do in the next 24 rounds! It might be a fairyland but, the big bad wolf is still the frustrating and inconsistent refereeing in this game!