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Opinion
The NRL’s return for 2023 was fantastic. Good games with close results, a historic upset by the Dolphins and plenty of overreacting. Will Round 2 see things start to settle into a groove? Let’s find out in your midweek talking points.
Round 1 was watched by record numbers on Foxtel and was up 17 per cent on Round 1 last year, Channel Nine was up significantly on Round 1 2022 as well, and crowds came in at an average of 18,472, the highest since 2013 according to the NRL. A lovely set of numbers to kick things off.
Good lord, what a world-class outlay of stupidity we got this week as the NRL coaching and media fraternities’ brain experts told us why it’s bad for independent doctors to pull an injured player from the field, especially when a game is in the balance.
2023 seems to be the year referees finally get a break from getting belted, and the independent doctors have bravely stepped into the weekly outrage spotlight.
Kalyn Ponga’s withdrawal late against the Warriors was probably the major talking point but I defy anyone to look at what happens and tell me he’s perfectly fine and good to go.
I don’t want to go on about this every week, because I’ve made clear my thoughts on how poorly the NRL has handled head knocks here on The Roar over the years.
The game’s previous actions or lack thereof are what’s bred and fed the attitude that leads to respected figures of the game embarrassing themselves speaking about something they clearly either don’t understand, or wilfully ignore.
Now let’s see if the NRL’s got the cojones to stick with what is right when the loudest voices are ranting at the moon.
Our thoughts go out to Roosters fans, who have to kiss the season goodbye after losing to the Dolphins and probably need to quickly move on from coach Trent Robinson too.
Right behind them are Bulldogs fans, who can forget about 2023 and even worse are stuck with a dud recruit in Viliame Kikau.
Panthers fans, sadly your time at the top is done and dusted because Nathan Cleary’s useless without Api Koroisau and Jaeman Salmon and Jarome Luai had an ‘argument’ on the field after the devastating loss to Brisbane.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Finally, I’m sorry to break this to you Parramatta fans, but Mitchell Moses doesn’t have his head in the game because he’s chasing contract money.
In good news, Manly are an attacking machine who are about to sweep all before them on the back of 2023 Dally M Medallist Daly Cherry-Evans.
Further on from these overreactions, a reminder from last week’s talking points which is still good for maybe another fortnight or so…
“Year after year we see teams fly out of the blocks then stumble, while tried and true finals-hardened clubs pace their seasons to peak at the business end. Often, this means patchy early round form from contenders that we all massively overreact to.”
In no order, we want to see repeat efforts from Brisbane, New Zealand, Canberra and the Gold Coast.
The Titans absorbed a lot of pressure from Wests Tigers after taking a good lead, showing plenty of grit in defence before being able to break through for the killer punch. They’ve got a real chance to be 2-0 when they take on the Dragons, but we’ve been high on the Titans before.
New Zealand played pretty well for their 20-12 win over Newcastle but they’ve got a mighty Round 2 clash with a very stung and annoyed Roosters.
Brisbane were fantastic beating Penrith 13-12 in Penrith, defending grimly and taking chances when they could. With Reece Walsh returning at fullback, their game against the Cowboys looks to be a ripper.
Canberra’s defence was unbelievable against the Cowboys, with real 2019/20 vibes as they kept themselves in the game during a dominant Cowboys first half. Their second half comeback showed plenty of heart too. But there’s no room for relaxing against the Dolphins, who will be playing in front of a packed Kayo Stadium in their first genuine home game.
In no order, we do not want to see repeat efforts from Canterbury, Wests Tigers and the Roosters.
The Bulldogs looked slow and unprepared as Manly ran rings around them. Life doesn’t get any easier against Melbourne, but they’ve got to show much more.
The Roosters were out enthused and exposed out wide by the Dolphins and they’ll host a keen New Zealand side in a game they’re expected to win.
Wests Tigers got stuck in the starters gates against the Titans, although I wouldn’t say they were as deplorable as some reactions would have you believe. The Tigers play Newcastle on Sunday with plenty of lessons under the belt.
Cooling their heels with the Round 1 bye, St George Illawarra host the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon in a game that’s a lot more challenging than it looked a month ago.
Anthony Griffin’s men haven’t had the most uplifting of preseasons, with constant speculation around their coach’s position and a 0-2 trial record (while shipping 72 points) fuelling strong talk of a wooden spoon-quality team.
Ben Hunt speaks to his team during the Charity Shield thumping in Mudgee. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The Dragons have so much on the line this year, and a fizzer of a start might put plenty of necks on the line.
The big guns clash early in Round 2 with Penrith and South Sydney Thursday night, then Parramatta versus Cronulla and the Broncos taking on the Cowboys on Friday night. All of these have potential to be great fun as a few finals types shape up to each other.
Winning games like these are what makes the difference in the top-four finishes come the end of the season, so let’s see who’s able to make that early break.
– Pretty hefty suspensions for Canberra’s Jordan Rapana (three weeks) and Cronulla’s Wade Graham (four) for reckless high shots. I’m on board with it, long as it’s done consistently.
– Your annual (weekly?) reminder to never, ever, doubt the Melbourne Storm. A great win against Parramatta and now a home game against the still learning Bulldogs.
– Great to see South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias burst from the blocks with a great game in Cronulla. He could have a big say in how the Bunnies go this year.
– I loved Young Tonumaipea back in the day when he started at Melbourne. After two years on a Mormon mission in Germany, time in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels and a return to the NRL with a train and trial on the Gold Coast, it’s good to see him back full-time with the Storm after being injury cover for a few games last year.
– Tucked away this week, the NRL and the PRLMO (Professional Rugby League Match Officials) confirmed a new four-year enterprise agreement accompanied by glowing statements about each other and how smooth the negotiation process was, so that’s nice.
What’s got you talking ahead of Round 2, Roarers?