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Three rounds in. Only two undefeated teams left and two sides yet to get off the mark.
As the Canberra Faders have come back from the dead, Ricky Stuart is slagging off officials not focusing on his players’ fade-outs and the Eels are missing a big fast Fijian, looking more like a bottom, rather than top, four contender.
If you told me the Dragons and Warriors would be the only sides yet to taste defeat, I’d say you should be committed to Callum Park.
The Dragons had more upshot than the Kiwi outfit, winning for the first time in the club’s history.
Not to mention, they were riding a nine-game losing streak at the conclusion of last season, winning for the first time after returning from Perth in Round 2.
Then, the squad broke the club record, winning the first three games of the season – not to mention already bettering 2017’s away win record come Round 3.
Lots of reasons have been given for the Warriors’ improvement from Mark ‘Commando’ Corvo. To name two, there is Blake Green’s calming influence and Shaun Johnson running the football.
Though, let’s be brutally honest, aside from the two late field goals last weekend, he played in a dinner suit and left his running game back in Auckland.
By adding Brian Smith in as head of football operations, the Warriors had made some major changes on and off the field before a ball had been kicked in 2018.
The average pundit could see how terrible the back-row was in 2017, where a banged up Simon Mannering had to carry the load.
Not to mention a starting front row that offered little leadership or mongrel with Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino. However, the signs were there that the 2018 Warriors would be an improvement over the 2017 squad.
On the other hand, the Dragons had question marks on how their halves would gel and if James Graham would provide value to an already potent forward pack. The answer thus far would be the Dragons are a far more potent model in 2018 than 2017.
Some questioned the club releasing Joel Thompson and Josh Dugan, but their replacements haven’t missed a beat, though the Dragons did start 2017 like a house on fire – so the jury is still out.
After a shocking first-round upset, the Roosters are looking more like the pre-season tip as contenders. Similarly, the Storm are looking like the benchmark after a slip-up to a team that also pulled the Roosters’ pants down in Round 1.
The Wests Tigers are playing like the late great Leo Nosworthy’s premiership-winning side of 1969. It could be argued you would see more points scored at an A-League game, but they are punching well above their weight.
Russel Packer has been an outstanding leader for Ivan Cleary’s men. Benji Marshall has turned back the clock and Ben Matulino, Robbie Rochow and other added players have a new lease of life under the highly animated Jurgen Klopp of the NRL, Ivan Cleary.
Nathan Brown’s young Knights started off with two thrilling wins, only to be brought back down to earth with a thud against the strong Roosters in Round 3.
We are witnessing a superstar of the game in Kalyn Ponga. (No wonder the Kiwis went hard for him two years ago.)
The Raiders continue to go with a forward pack that matches the weight of the Oakland Raiders defensive line and still wonder why they fade at the back-end of matches.
Souths looked okay in their opening round losses, but nobody would have tipped them to hammer Manly in Round 3.
This particularly after Marty Taupau came out and said he had a great feeling this side would be lifting the Summons-Provan trophy come the first weekend in October.
The Dogs got off the mark limiting the second half Panthers, who were bound to lose after giving away decent head starts in the opening rounds.
In another average game that had Ray and I chopping down forests throughout, the Sharks got on the board – leaving the Eels winless in a 14-4 one try all bore Saturday night.
After we switched the channel at half-time, we were mesmerised by the European under-21 paint drying championships on Euro Sport, therefore missing a majority of the second half from Shark Park.
The Cowboys are taking their time finding their groove, but will start to gain some momentum sooner rather than later.
Ray and I still have question marks over the three-quarter line defensively. However, they have survived having the same or similar back five the past three seasons.
The referees are using the sin bin and making brave calls but are still being hammered by the media fans – so not a lot has changed on that front.
Ray and I have Ricky Stuart, Jarryd Hayne, and Nathan Peats in our crosshairs.
So fellow Roarers – let us know your thoughts for the chopping block after the opening three rounds of upsets, thrilling football and alleged dud refereeing calls!
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