A mini rant
Consistency in applying the rules in a dynamic game like rugby league where the human factor is as big for the referees as it is for players is a grey, murky zone. Fair enough, the game is not and cannot be perfect. But sometimes you just have to shake your head. When is a shoulder making first contact not a shoulder making first contact? When is a hit above the shoulders (ie, to the head) not a hit above the shoulders? The latter makes even less sense when one cops only an on-field penalty against his side while the other gets 10 in the bin and two weeks holiday. As RITV would say, “GMS!”
Vegas and all that
One almighty upset (St Helens over Hull); a possible ray of hope for last year’s wooden spooners, Newcastle, but early question marks over the Cowboys; a tight game decided in the last 10 seconds on the back of a very ‘iffy’ penalty. Lots to ruminate over, no doubt. In terms of individuals, the hulking Maika Sivo was close to a real rhino as he racked up 4 tries; Dylan Brown made a very good, first-up downpayment on his mega-salary for the Knights; Lachlan Galvin looked very good for the Dogs, very good indeed! Throw in the odd controversy, real or confected, such as the respective outcomes of the Burns and Crichton hits, the game-defining strip call against Ryan Couchman, a Bulldog trainer lingering on the field when he should have been on the sideline, a frustrated coach whose side didn’t get any rub of the green – welcome back, footy!
The boffins will tell us what a success it all was – biggest crowd yet, money coming in by the bucketfuls, great local interest, worldwide exposure, blar, blar, blar. The bottom line for this fan is that the code will never get a meaningful foothold in the USA regardless of the outlay, the glitz, the razzamatazz and the PR tsunami. Meanwhile, back home and away from the NRL clubs, life at the grassroots of the code is a sorry and challenging story. If there are so-called rivers of gold flowing within the code, please get more if it, a lot more of it, back to those grassroots to revitalise the regions and the bush where local sport is the lifeblood of the community. Give the thankless local volunteers a hand up before even more clubs, many with long and proud histories, fade away and die. (Is that a second mini rant for the day? If so, no apologies!)
And let’s just say that everyone who travelled to Sin City for the weekend will be very thankful that their route home was across the Pacific Ocean rather than across Europe and the Middle East!
The rest of Round 1
And so we get back on home soil for the remainder of Round 1. Check out all the games’ details through the link below.
On Thursday night it’s the perennial finalists, Melbourne Storm, up against the pre-season surprise packets, the Parramatta Eels. Bellamy hasn’t lost in Round 1 for over two decades, one of the great records of the NRL era. Their pre-season form was modest, to say the least, but let’s see what happens when it counts. It will be a different looking Storm side – no Coates, Katoa, Paps or NAS – but can you imagine Bellyache not having a trick or two up his sleeve? And can his protegé Ryles get his Eels to weather the storm and find a way to turn pre-season form into premiership points? You have to be a mug to tip against Melbourne, so I won’t. Storm.
Friday evening begins with the Warriors at home to the Roosters. Is it possible for a Round 1 fixture to be critical to both sides’ season hopes? If so, this is it. There’s a lot of talk about the Warriors going big in 2026. Well, here’s their chance to show what they’ve got. They get a home game to provide whatever local support counts for and they get to test themselves against one of the year’s favourites for the title. Likewise, the Roosters get an early test of their credentials against a side listed as an emerging force. There’s always a lot of talk the talk; now let’s see who can walk the walk. Roosters.
Ditto the night game where defending premiers Brisbane host the ever-threatening Panthers. Brisbane took 60 minutes to find their feet in Hull but looked great when they did; the Panthers didn’t do too much in the pre-season comp. But it will be all guns blazing at Lang Park on Friday night. There’s no use trying to analyse it; we all know what the respective sides are capable of. Toss of the coin: Broncos.
What’s this? Another ‘key game’ to start Saturday with the Sharks taking on the Titans, again with both teams full of hope and firepower to launch their season. Yet both have their frailties too, as we have seen in recent seasons. The Sharks usually start the season well and have home ground advantage; the Titans under new coach Hannay and Captain Tino just might take the Gold Coasters that little bit further this year. Should be a good game: Sharks.
But wait, there’s more! The post-DCE Sea Eagles come up against the ‘itching-to-make-up-for-last-year’s fadeout’ Raiders at Brookie. Another potential beauty in prospect. But I just don’t know how hard the absence of DCE will hit Manly. My fear is that the answer will be ‘a lot’! Meanwhile, ‘Sticky’ has had a whole summer to analyse the demise and plan the comeback. Watch out, Manly! Raiders.
The round closes with the Dolphins meeting the Rabbitohs in Brisbane. And, dare I say it, another key game for both sides. The Dolphins went close to finals last year but injuries dogged them. But which side was more afflicted by injuries in 2025 than the Bunnies? Both are fancying their chances this year; both have the personnel; but both are somewhat fragile. Souths’ halves are a concern if Cody is still their best 6 at age 36; can BLM stay on the field; likewise Campbell Graham; but Cameron Murray is worth about 3, so maybe that balances it out. Fifita? We’ll see. The attacking Dolphins are a sight to behold, but can they stop leaking lots of points? Defence wins matches. Can they do it? Dolphins.
The Wests Tigers have the bye.
This weekend’s fixtures
To see the who, where and when of the remaining games in Round 1 click HERE.
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About Ian Hauser
A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam's Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac's Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
Yes clearly this round will start to answer a number of questions. The big ones are the likes of DCE at the roosters,how the bunnies will start the season, whether the Broncos will fire straight up or Penrith go back to their standard. And of course, Can Bellamy keep his incredible round one record intact by beating the Eels.
It is a long season, but you are right, there do seem to be some very important games in this round. Is there a changing of the guard coming in the NRL? The Storm are the most interesting watch early in the year for me.