Round 2 started with a game that really was a surprise. Nobody really expected Parramatta to beat the Broncos and, certainly, when the score was 20 points to 4, many Parra fans must have thought the game was Runnin Down the Dream after last week’s debacle. However, Brisbane committed a number of errors and, before they knew it, were behind on the scoreboard. All credit to Parramatta for continuing to play an open brand of footy and getting a deserved win given the fact that they had a large crowd going against them. I am not sure where this leaves the Broncos, but they certainly need improvement. And soon if they are to stop Free Fallin’.
There were two games on the Friday night, the first of which saw the Warriors beat the Raiders comfortably – 40 points to 6. The Warriors have played especially well in the first two rounds, although both games have been at home. Boyd continues to impress and had another very good game against the Raiders. The conditions of course did suit the Warriors as it was very wet and that makes it a very tough road trip, especially for the Raiders who have a great distance to travel. The second match was the much-anticipated Roosters verse Rabbitohs and the real highlight out of the game was Johnston breaking the long-time try-scoring record. In a quirk of fate, the first person onto the field was wearing a Roosters jersey with the number 8 on it. Rooster’s fans were just as happy as the general Rugby League public to see Johnston score the record-breaking try. Fifita offloaded to Murray who passed to Mitchell who drew Tedesco and Johnson was Into the Great Wide-Open Spaces for the historic try. DCE had a much better game on the night and certainly the Roosters looked like they will be in for a good season. The Rabbitohs showed flashes of brilliance, but after Johnson scored his try, they seemed to lose focus.
There were three games on Saturday and the first saw the Tigers up against the Cowboys at their traditional home. They absolutely walloped the Cowboys and after leading 28-2 after about 30 minutes, the Cowboys were Swingin to their second major defeat. The Cowboys clearly have problems and although they complained about the ‘six again’ rule, it is not the basis of their problems. I am not sure where they head from here. Meanwhile, after one game, the Tigers fans love the Leichhardt spectacle, but Love is a Long Road for Tiger fans. The second game, predictably, saw the Storm completely outclass the Dragons. The Storm is looking very dangerous this year and, even though they have lost some players, they certainly are a force in the competition. Likewise, the final game saw the Panthers way too strong for the Sharks and completely choked them out. Their defensive record this year after two rounds is by far and away better than any other team in the competition. Like the Storm, the Panthers also look like there will be very little Room at the Top of the ladder given the way they have started.
There were two games on the Sunday and if we thought the Cowboys were disappointing the day before, the Sea Eagles were very disappointing at home, losing their second match to the Knights. Even without their two star players, the Knights were way too strong. It is a worry for Coach Holbrook that both players will be out for a period of time however, the replacements who came in for them during the match certainly did their job. Ponga has had several injuries, and he is a vital cog that the club must Handle with Care. Newcastle is playing an exciting, open brand of rugby league. Manly’s performance was best summed up by a play in the second half where Garrick took an intercept and ran 60-odd metres before being tackled with not one Manly player was in sight. Garrick played the ball and the Knights collected it. Finally, I had to wait until late Sunday arvo for one of the Queensland teams to win and at least I was guaranteed a victory. The Titans were going very well until midway through the second half when there were a series of ‘6 agains’. They lost their momentum and before they knew it, Redcliffe, with the Hammer on fire, were in control of the game and went on to win 18-14. As a Titans supporter You Know How It Feels for sides to round you up late.
Round 3 starts off tonight with a match between the Raiders and the Bulldogs in Canberra. The Raiders are coming off the trip to New Zealand whilst the Bulldogs are coming off the bye and Vegas. Many feel the Bulldogs’ win in Vegas was a case of You Got Lucky so this will be an interesting match as the Raiders are a better side at home. But Canterbury are being touted as a top side this year so it will be a close match. I am tempted to think that the Raiders at home might be too good.
Friday night has two games, with the first match between the Roosters and the Panthers. This should be a cracking match, but given the Panthers form you would expect them to be too good for the Roosters at this stage of the season. Likewise, the second match is the Grand Final replay, so The Waiting is over for the Storm to avenge that defeat (sort of). The Storm have traditionally been Brisbane’s bogey side but with Walsh in the team anything could happen. Given Brisbane’s form in Rounds 1and 2, and the points they have leaked in defence, it is difficult to see Brisbane upsetting the Storm in Melbourne, especially with the Breakdown of Reynolds.
Saturday has three games. The first game has the Newcastle side up against the Warriors in Newcastle. Given the Warriors’ form and the fact that Newcastle’s star two players are out, you would have to think the Warriors would be too strong in this one. The second match has the Sharks up against the Dolphins and, even though the Sharks were defeated by Penrith last week, I think they will find this a much easier assignment. The Dolphins have been way too loose in defence, and they will pay the price this weekend if they do not shore the Walls up. The third game on Saturday night has a great deal of interests as the Rabbitohs, now over the relief of Johnston breaking the record, play the Tigers who were outstanding against the Cowboys. This game will give us indication of whether the West Tigers are on track for a much better season or whether the Rabbitohs can fulfil their playing potential with one side getting their second win for the year. It should be a cracking game.
Finally, on Sunday there are two games with the early game seeing the Eels taking on the Dragons at home. An interesting matchup even though Parramatta are coming off a great win against the Broncos. Brisbane did completely Breakdown in terms of their seemingly non-existent game plan. So, it is not really a great indicator as to how this game may go. However, I will stick with the Eels to win on Sunday. Lastly, the Cowboys are up against the Titans and at least that guarantees us 1 Queensland win again this weekend. The Cowboys are at home and if they lose this game, it will almost be Time to Move On for the coach. The Cowboys must start performing now or their season is gone. Likewise, the Titans showed a bit more against Redcliffe than they did the previous week and Insiders are saying Campbell will play, which is a plus. Coach Hannay will be desperately seeking his first win of the season, and he would love a win over the Club that gave him the Don’t Come Round Here No More when he was overlooked for Payten at the end of 2020. Payten is rapidly approaching his Waterloo and, fortunately for Seibold, he has the Bye to give himself an opportunity to recalibrate.
Last week’s embedded music cue was of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Learning to Fly used in reference to Alex Johnston and the modern winger. I am not sure if Tom ever heard of Rugby League, but he did meet Elvis when he was 10 which started a lifelong obsession with music. At one point he was a gravedigger and like musicians, RL coaches need a fallback career. A couple of readers have advised me to drop the music but in the words of Tom Petty I Won’t Back Down. I have made this week’s easy.
Female O’Hanlon NRL Heartbreakers First 13
1 Reece Walsh – Edie O’Hanlon 2 Wendell Sailor –Yolanda O’Hanlon 3 Mick Cronin – Carmel O’Hanlon 4 Mal Meninga – Louise O’Hanlon 5 Ian Schubert – Donna O’Hanlon 6 Kieran Foran – Karla O’Hanlon 7 Jonathon Thurston – Josephine O’Hanlon 8 Keaon Koloamatangi – Harper O’Hanlon 9 Jye Gray – Agstar and Estnes O’Hanlon 10 Spud Carroll – Marlee O’Hanlon 11 George Bartlett – Lenore O’Hanlon 12 Pat O’Hanlon – Katie O’Hanlon 13 Ray Price – Carmel O’Hanlon (O’Hanlon female Matriarch and, yes, she is serious!) 14 Campbell Graham – Kristy O’Hanlon 15 Billy Slater – Bronagh O’Hanlon 16 Dale Shearer – Libby O’Hanlon 17 Latrell Mitchell – Marcella O’Hanlon
Nb – some names have been changed to protect from ridicule!
Round 3 Tips
Raiders, Panthers, Storm, Warriors, Sharks, Souths, Eels, Cowboys
I beat the Prop Tipping Comp Leaderboard
1 Gerry (12) 2 Tim Robbo, Crabman, Souffs , Banksy (11) Flying Mattress (10)
By way of information 7 people have now picked the perfect 16! To pay your $10 go to Marlarkey Publications BSB 633000 Acc 154103428
My Pre-Season Top Eight
1 Melbourne 3 Penrith 5 Canterbury 7 Cronulla 8 Souths 10 Roosters 11 Raiders 15 Brisbane
Odd Fact
You may have noticed that I most probably have left out the most well-known Heartbreaker in rugby league, the great Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen. The odd fact about ET is that he successfully sued HQ magazine for publishing a photograph of him naked in the shower. On the 1990 Kangaroo tour, a photographer from HQ magazine took the photo and published it without his permission in 1991. He was awarded over $100,000 for this breach of privacy. I wonder if Johnny Raper or Denis Manteit (which ever one was in the Bowler Hat) would have minded if they had been photographed on Ilkley Moor in Yorkshire!
Rugby League is no longer on Vacation – It is a Quest
You gotta love footy!
To read more by Prop by the Sea click here.
To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRL click HERE.
To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.
To see the details for State of Origin in 2026 click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.
Prop, you need to add me to your ‘I beat the Prop’ list. My tipping moniker is Dolph Fin and, at this stage, I’m on 11 points. I see we’ve parted ways on a few games this weekend so let’s see where the insights (guesswork) lies!
Loved the Female O’Hanlon Heartbreakers First 13!
Ever realised you could be so petty Prop.
Don’t worry about going to the game when the Heartbreakers play but get a ticket to the afterparty. With the Matriarch in charge you will surely partake of the best refreshments (think scones, cake, apple pie and a glass of Ruinart) home baking can provide. On the matter of music, even the great Tom Petty would have appreciated the talent behind last week’s inclusion-The Biff (take me now I’ve seen it all).
Nice pun AS for a South Sydney support! – SOTB maybe if we had it a few years ago the travelling wilbury’s could have recorded it! The champagne of the O’H ladies 13 would definitely be Ruinart!
I’d like to submit a complaint to the Almanac Admin – as your oldest niece on the O’Hanlon side, I am concerned about my lack of inclusion in the First 13.
I notice Carmel has been included twice, so understand that this may have been a simple typo.
As an avid reader and someone who values your creamed rice, cocktails and eats your 75% off reduced oysters I would expect an amendment to be made.
If you need for research purposes, my favourite player would be Patrick O’Hanlon
Many Thanks.
Well who would have thunk?? Such controversy over selections for the Heartbreakers. Dare I say a “dummy spit” at non inclusion. Perhaps the surname has some relevance although with certain inside information in my possession I can see that that rule has not been applied consistently. Interesting indeed.
Thank you for your comment, Sinead but as you know I am just an amateur journalist and like all journalists I have deadlines. I sent out a text to all O’Hanlon ladies last week and asked for a response. I think the blame lies at the foot of your mother for not sharing the information with you. Also, Carmel was entitled to 2 positions as the matriarch of the family and as she is the only person in Australia who thinks that Ray Price is a heartbreaker. I have taken on board your concerns but again have to reiterate to you that the fault does not lay at my feet but at the feet of those around you who did not advise you of this given your very heavy schedule.
I will resist the urge to distribute culpability between the main agents in this fiasco as I have not been asked to do so but obviously this is a rich vein of intrigue that could form the basis of a commercial tv mini series as there seems to be a plethora of willing actors and participants.
Harper said
Koalllllllamaaaaatummmmmy
As her grandparent you shouldn’t be privy to this information, but, that’s is her crush.
Nice reading PITCF
Souths for premiers
As her grandfather I should warn her about being brainwashed into supporting the Rabbits! Let the kid make up her own mind and follow a Queensland team!
The Rabbits are rugby league royalty – it’s their season to reign
Disco I appreciate your souths loyalty but royalty makes me think of Randy Andy. I hope the Rugby League royalty of the rabbits can do better!!
The Matriarch speaks
I have been a passionate fan of Rugby League for 70 years, so I know what I am talking about. Thank you son for the 2 votes, as it should be, however I need to address your comment regarding my choice of Ray Price.
Let’s be clear, Mick Cronin will always be my No 1 heartbreaker. My second choice of Ray should be obvious to anyone that knows me. To put it simply I’ve always loved “a bit of mongrel” in my players (on the field only of course)and Ray certainly fitted the bill. I had the good fortune of sitting next to him at a dinner many years ago and I was able to give him
Advice on how to help his baby with reflux. A lovely man.
Also son don’t blame your sister, mother of Sinead, for not reminding her to provide her favourite heartbreaker. That’s your fault.
Most importantly don’t forget that Parramatta Eels will always be my first love and I have the tattoo to prove it. Now I must go there are horse races to win, pokies to slap, mahjong to play, caramel tarts to cook and Ruinart to drink
Sorry for the typo in my earlier comment prop that should have been “never” as opposed to “ever”.
I note there is a lot of debate surrounding the Female O’Hanlon NRL Heartbreakers First 13 (which none the less contains 17. Well rugby league is a 17 man game these days…..or is it up to 18 now?) I was amazed that apart from the venerable matriarch, who was given two votes that the rest of the girls could choose but one. Since I have know Tamra she has just about gone through a whole team on her own. The likes of Bradley Clyde, Wayne Pierce and Brad Fittler cast a long shadow over the early years of our partnership. She has since moved on to the likes of Craig Wing, Luke Ricketson and Sonny Bill Williamson. I am unsure as to where her allegiances lie now days……..and maybe it’s best not to know.
Hope I’m not letting the cat out of the bag but I anticipate that next week’s report will be fABBAulous.
Each to their own in terms of heartbreakers I say however Ray Price is a hard act to place in a beauty pageant! I’m sure he would be chuffed to be selected in such a prestigious team so if he’s reading we could organise caramel tarts and champagne for morning tea before an afternoon at the polkies! And AS you look like yo have a team on your own – I just hope Tam can find room for you to be squeezed in !! And am working on fABBAulous team at the moment- pretty easy clue this week!
The Matriarch. That’s my sister.!! Go girl!! Hats off to Ruinart.