NRL Round 2: Sliding doors, upsets, bloody Bellamy, ‘Brookie’ and DCE.

 

If Round 1 of the NRL season didn’t tickle your fancy, then you’re very, very hard to please! Was it perfect? No. Was the standard great? Only in patches. Did all the stars come out and shine? Some did, some didn’t. Was it predictable? Hell no, but that’s what made it so good!

The final footnote to the Las Vegas excursion was the suspension of Spencer Leniu for 8 weeks. Probably a fair call at the minimum end of the scale but it came a week later than it should have which served only to feed the rumour mill of who said what? to whom? where? and when?

Sliding doors moments changed two matches. The Knights had a try disallowed for obstruction in the lead-up. A pity, that, because Ponga’s burst deserved a try. Instead, the Raiders went down the other end and scored. A 12-point turnaround. Newcastle never really recovered; the under-strength Raiders only got better. In Melbourne, Penrith appeared to crack Storm’s willing defence but also got called back for obstruction. Melbourne went down the other end and scored through Smith. A clutch conversion made it 8-0 and the under-strength, perennial Round 1 winners held on doggedly for a famous win. That bloody Bellamy! How does he do it?

Elsewhere this tipster’s nightmare continued. The Sharks found rare away-from-home resolve to reel in the fast-starting Warriors and then forged on to a deserved win. The Dragons, widely predicted as bottom four material, smoked a very disappointing Titans side which had been talked up as one of the clubs to watch in 2024.

Some semblance of order came about when the Eels predictably thrashed the ‘still a long way from up to scratch’ Bulldogs. Then the Cowboys added an exclamation mark to the round with an absolute thumping of the Dolphins. But I lost count of the forward passes in that game, at least two of which resulted in tries. And let’s not talk about the very dubious penalty try! But didn’t the Cowboys look good when they ran the ball? Dearden and Drinkwater were excellent!

So, how did you go with your tipping? I got three out of eight which I think might rate pretty well in the circumstances.

Over the weekend I paid my first visit to Brookvale Oval to watch some NSW Cup action but mostly just to finally see ‘Brookie’. Manly tragics Adam Muyt and Lindsay Cuthbertson have waxed lyrical about their hallowed ground so I thought I’d better take the opportunity of a stay in Sydney to check it out.

What a revelation! A postage stamp of a place with very modest facilities, a limited crowd capacity, almost quaint in its own way but not quite because of its strange mixture of the old and the not so old but not very new, an oddity on a busy road smack bang between a commercial zone and the ‘burbs.

Can this be the residence of the great Manly-Warringah club? The home ground of Fulton, Randall, Eadie, Krilich, Vautin, Blake, O’Connor, Toovey, Hasler, Menzies, Lyons, DCE and Turbo? The heartland of powerbroker Arthurson? It seems incongruous. But I’d love to be there when it’s packed to the rafters and the Sea Eagles are hosting South Sydney. It’s up close configuration must make it rock!

The highlight of my visit was to unexpectedly meet Daly Cherry-Evans. I went on a short wander around the venue and came across DCE, his daughters and their dog as the very relaxed looking club captain sat well away from anyone else as he took in the NSW Cup game.

I already have a favourable opinion of DCE, even though he plays for Manly! It’s probably because of his Redcliffe origins and his efforts for the Maroons in State of Origin. I’ve always thought that he carries himself well, speaks positively and thoughtfully, respects his opponents and, on the field, leads from the front and never gives less than 100%. I came away from a short conversation all the more impressed. Approachable, genuine, articulate, engaging, considerate, positive, modest. An impressive man.

 

 

Now let’s get on to Round 2. And what a way to kick it off tonight with the clash of the Las Vegas losers, Brisbane and South Sydney. As I said last week, one of these two will be 0-2 after this game. Not a good start when you’re among the pre-season favourites. Two relevant questions: 1. Have the Broncos regrouped sufficiently after the Leniu/Mam fracas to be ready for this game? 2. Is all well at South Sydney or are they unwilling/unable to put together 80 minutes of footy? Answer those questions and you’ve picked the winner of this one. I’m betting on ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in that order with the Broncos to take the chocolates.

Tomorrow evening the Sharks get a great opportunity to get away to a 2-0 start to the year when they host the Bulldogs. I think the men from the Shire showed enough to go into this one as favourites. The Doggies remain a work in progress. In the later game, the Panthers take on the Eels who, if my memory serves me well, beat Penrith twice last year. Wouldn’t they love to make it a hat-trick? Imagine Penrith starting the year at 0-2! 0-3 for that matter, after losing the World Cup Challenge. I can’t see that happening, so it’s the Panthers to get on the board.

Come Saturday afternoon and the Raiders are at home to Wests Tigers who are coming off the bye. Another 2-0 start coming up? There was a lot to like about both the character and the style of Canberra last weekend while the Tigers have such a long way to come from last season that it’s hard to see them improving enough to win this one let alone get out of the bottom four for the season. Then the electric Cowboys host the Knights up north. I loved the attacking game from the Cowboys last week, especially their willingness to run the ball on the last tackle. Dearden and Drinkwater looked particularly good behind an athletic and agile pack. The Knights were less impressive and I think they’ll struggle against the speed and skill of the Cowboys. In the late game the Storm are at AAMI Park to take on the Warriors. Will it be 2-0 and 0-2 respectively at the end of the game? Melbourne are still under-strength which gives the visitors a chance but, in the end, I think the Storm will prevail.

The match of the round comes on Sunday afternoon with the game between the Las Vegas winners, the Sea Eagles and the Roosters, at Brookie. I’d love to be there for this one! Both surprise winners in Round 1, Manly look infinitely better when Tom Turbo is there; but, equally, the Roosters put in a great display with Joey Manu seeming to have the ball on a string. I’ll go with the Roosters – even if I can’t tell you exactly why! The weekend fixtures will be completed when the Dolphins host the Dragons. Well, didn’t the Red V give us a shock last week? They, too, have a great chance to go 2-0 against a plodding Dolphins forward pack. Bennett is looking at halves options already – not a good look. And is he looking in the wrong place? It may be a false start but I’ll go with the Dragons.

The Titans have the bye.

 

To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

To see the full 2024 season draw for the NRL click HERE.

To see the full 2024 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.

To see the details for State of Origin in 2024 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.