NRL Round 2: Footy is back, and what a start to the season!

 

 

After all the hype leading into Round 1 of the NRL season, who could have predicted the array of highlights that unfolded? Sure, the quality of play wasn’t at its best but that’s just early season rust being eradicated. But please don’t ask me about tipping – 2/8! But let’s go to the talking points.

 

All four Queensland teams won in Round 1. Will we see that again this year?

 

The biggest splash goes to the (Redcliffe) Dolphins, absolutely rank underdogs in their debut match, who held and then out-enthused/dominated the highly fancied Roosters 28-18. Without doubt, the upset of the season not only so far but also with 23 rounds to go. And another storied chapter in the annals of that crafty old fox Wayne Bennett. Amazing! Hats off also to master coach Craig Bellamy after his rebuilt Storm weathered one and then found Harry Grant choosing his moment to run the ball to win in golden point. What an incredible Round 1 record – 20 on the trot.

 

Not to be outdone, the Broncos defended like they haven’t for years to hold the Panthers and then found the field goal to Reynolds to snatch a win over the defending premiers who looked out of sorts. The Sea Eagles were possibly the hottest ticket on the weekend with a sizzling performance against a very disappointing Dogs outfit. DCE scored a treble and Turbo looked like he will find form quickly after 9 months on the sidelines.

 

The Cowboys looked good early but allowed the Raiders back in before a late Townsend field goal got them home. Given their off-field turmoil, the Canberra chaps put up a much better effort than expected. The Warriors were also up for it against a Knights side that already looks like it may struggle in spite of what looks like a good side on paper, especially up front.

 

Not so good were the Sharks who ran out of steam and direction against a Rabbitoh outfit that offered hints of what they might achieve this year. The 4-week suspension of Wade Graham will not help the men from the Shire, especially if Hynes is still out for a bit. The Eels also disappointed in a game they should have won while the Wests Tigers offered their fans very little in their loss to the not-very-convincing Titans. David Fifita looked good but can he sustain a season of effort?

 

Another talking point centred on the capacity of an independent doctor on the sideline to order a player off for suspected concussion. That got a few coaches fuming. The idea is a good one but surely a player deserves an on-field assessment (by an independent doctor, if so desired) before being dragged.

 

Round 2:

 

The three big games of the round will be played tonight and tomorrow. Penrith host South Sydney tonight in what should be a belter. Imagine if the Panthers have two losses at home to start the season! Unthinkable given their results over the past three or four seasons. But they looked a bit fragile when pressured by Brisbane. The Rabbitohs may not have been at their best last weekend but they still won well with a strong second half against the Sharks. The big question there is the fitness of Latrell Mitchell. Cody Walker and Mitchell are the keys to this game – if they can keep their heads in what promises to be a no-holds-barred match, then the Bunnies will get the points. It’s hard to go against the Panthers at home but I will – South Sydney for me.

 

The Eels are at home again, this week to the Sharks. With both coming off loses, this is important to both teams for competition points and self-belief. It’s another tight one but I favour the home side as I expect the Sharks to struggle without Wade Graham and Nicho Hynes. The Eels for me.

 

Brisbane take on the Cowboys at The Cauldron and it should be a beauty! Brisbane won due credit for their effort last week while the Cowboys left it late to get their win. I think the Cowboys will finish higher on the ladder at season’s end but that’s not to say they’ll have it their own way tomorrow night. Perhaps we’ll see another of those 1 or 2 point games that have marked their clashes over the years. Without a lot of confidence I’ll go with the Cowboys.

 

The Roosters open Saturday’s suite of games when they host the Warriors. Was attitude the problem against the Dolphins? If so, the boys from Bondi got a right smack in the face, and deservedly so. The Warriors had some good moments against the Knights but might find this week a bit too much. I can’t imagine this Roosters roster losing two in a row. I’ll go with the Chooks.

 

The (Redcliffe) Dolphins have their first real home game when they take on the Raiders at Redcliffe in the later afternoon. The locals have a very strong fan base who will be out in force, believe me. The Raiders are still a bit of a question mark after their good, but not good enough, effort in Townsville. Two weeks on the road is a big ask to start their season. I’ll go with my heart and pick the Dolphins.

 

Melbourne Storm – you can never write them off! How will they go without Munster? But they have Bellamy. The Bulldogs were very ordinary last week; they are a team in transition; give them another season or two to really hit their straps; I can’t see them improving enough to beat Melbourne this week. The Storm for me.

 

How would you like to be trying to sell tickets for Wests Tigers v Knights after last week? The disappointing v the unlikely. And, as awful as it is to say so this early in the season, who cares? I’ll stick with the Knights on the basis of their forward pack.

 

The Dragons make their 2023 debut at home against the Titans. The Gold Coast men got the job done last week but it wasn’t pretty; the Dragons have been ugly off the field in the lead-up to this match. You know they’ll get 100+% out of Ben Hunt, but who will go with him? It may be that the Titans have more in the engine room and that will be enough. I just can’t go with the home team and so it’s the Titans by default.

 

So my winners are the Rabbitohs, Eels, Cowboys, Roosters, Dolphins, Storm, Knights and  Titans. (Bye: Sea Eagles.)

 

To see the full draw for Season 2023 click here.

 

To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.

To return to our Footy Almanac home page 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.