NRL Round 4 – Where’s this week’s surprise coming from?

 

 

Let’s start this week by paying tribute to Ian Heads OAM, rugby league writer, journalist and author extraordinaire, who passed away earlier this week. We need gifted people to help us understand the game, its history and the people involved as well as to tell us the story of what happened. Ian Heads did it all – and more. Read Dean Ritchie’s tribute from The Daily Telegraph here.

 

I know we’re only three rounds into the season but there has been a major surprise (or two) every week. Back in Round 1 it was an under-strength Melbourne Storm downing the team of the decade, the Penrith Panthers. Not far behind was the Sharks’ win over the Warriors in NZ. In Round 2 the Sea Eagles reduced the Roosters to an error-stricken shadow of themselves while the Dolphins bounced back from a first up thrashing to create several new records in their 38-0 win over the Dragons. Now we’ve just seen the Wests Tigers play like we haven’t seen them play for several seasons as they mauled the previously creditable Sharks. That was then followed by the underperforming Knights downing the previously unbeaten Storm.

 

It’s fair to say that some were also surprised that Taylan May wasn’t at the judiciary this week after that clash with Reece Walsh. What if it was the other way around? It’s become all the more mysterious after Graham Annesley’s comments about the incident on Monday morning. Then there’s the ongoing surprise/head shaking when we see tries called back after ‘interesting’ interpretations of the obstruction rule. Tom Turbo’s on Sunday was a classic case. And yet Mitch Kenny can run across field to shield Cleary thus creating a block. Go figure!

 

In other Round 3 observations, injuries are starting to mount up for several clubs including the Broncos, Roosters and Storm. Then there’s South Sydney looking like the first bucket case of the year, followed closely by the Titans. The Roosters bounced back to show us just what they are capable of, the Sharks must have sent a shudder through their supporters with another of those ‘gone missing’ performances, and the Dragons do need to be swabbed (as I suggested last week). And let’s see what happens with the Tigers and the Bulldogs after their breakthrough wins on the weekend.

 

Are there any spare halfbacks out there?

 

Round 4 starts with the match of the round tonight as the Roosters host the Panthers. How will the Panthers go without Cleary? Will Keary resume immediately after completing the concussion protocol? Which version of the Roosters will show up? Let’s hope it’s a dry track because both sides have speed to burn and attacking potential galore. That’s after a ding dong battle in the middle where big games are won. The Roosters are two props down – have they got the back-up depth? It’s toss of the coin but the head says you go with the form and, over a long period of time, Penrith have the form.

 

Good Friday brings us the Rabbitohs against the Bulldogs. Surely it’s now or never for the Rabbitohs, or are they just Bunnies stuck in the headlights? What does Demetriou do – stick with the experience of Cook, Walker and co or start a transition to generation next? Don’t you feel sorry for Cameron Murray carrying the weight of everyone and everything a la Ben Hunt at the Dragons? But, if the in-house talk is worth anything, the Rabbitohs are all in it together to turn things around. But they would say that, wouldn’t they? At the same time, here’s the opportunity for the Doggies to show that they are making real progress under CC. They’ve got talent – Kikau, Burton, Taafe, Mahoney and Kiraz to name just a few. But have they got ‘it’, that special something that builds on a win and takes advantage of an opponent who is down? It’s now or never for the Bulldogs. I don’t know why but I’m going for the Rabbitohs. (Call a doctor now!)

 

In the evening the Broncos are at home to the top-of-the-table Cowboys. Do the northerners deserve such an exalted rank after their stuttering starts even if, once they click into gear, they’re great to watch? I think the Broncos may be in a bit of strife due to injuries and so the Cowboys have caught them at just the right moment. These two clubs have a long history of classic encounters and a backs-to-the-wall situation just might bring out the best in Brisbane. Nevertheless, I’ll stick with the Cowboys.

 

Saturday afternoon sees the Dragons up against the Sea Eagles. I thought Manly were a bit stiff in going down to the Eels after a very poor rub of the green. Admittedly, they didn’t help themselves with some poor discipline and by allowing far too many offloads. But Luke Brooks has brought a little something extra and the pack is building nicely. The Dragons? Who knows, but it’s hard to have any confidence in them, even at home. I think it will be Manly.

 

Later on the very disappointing, and now Tino-less, Titans play host to the rested Dolphins who looked good at their last outing. Form says the Dolphins but will the Titans be this weekend’s surprise? I don’t think so. It’s the Dolphins with Flegler, Isaako and Hammer leading the way.

 

Sunday starts with the Warriors against the Knights. The home team showed a lot of character to down the Raiders and, with RTS getting back into the swing of things, it’s hard to see Newcastle winning this one. But perhaps they’ll be the surprise packet of the round after finally grinding out a win, ugly as it may have been, over the Storm. Form again rules the day, so back the Warriors.

 

Later on it’s last round losers Cronulla and Canberra doing battle. The Raiders lost no fans in their loss in NZ; the Sharks put a shudder through their supporters. The Raiders have more contributors across the park; the Sharks are still too reliant on Nicko Hynes. Somehow I think the home ground might do the trick for the men from the Shire so I’ll go with the Sharks.

 

The round concludes on Easter Monday with the Eels v Wests Tigers game. Junior Paulo was sensational last week, especially with his offloads. Dylan Brown gets better and better and Gutho keeps revving them up. But no Mitchell Moses, so how will they line up? Regardless, can the Eels please tone down the egregious, constant appeals for penalties and ‘we’re being hard done by’ act? Nauseous! Shades of Geoff Toovey! They’ve got the talent; just use your football ability and get on with it! Good on the Tigers after their first win of the year. It will be at least next week before they get their next one. The Eels to be too slick.

 

Melbourne Storm have the bye – and don’t they need it?

 

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