Hello all! Welcome to my predictions for Round 1 of the NRL season. This is an exciting time in our house as the awful summer sport season in Australia is finally coming to an end. Football is back baby! Let's look at Round 1, including the debut of Skeletor's Dolphins...
Thursday Night Footy:
Storm at Eels
An excellent season opener, with the last few years having great, hard hitting battles between two of the biggest forward packs in the league. That said, the Storm have had to retool their pack with the losses of a number of veterans up front. The Eels use their big boppers to wear down their opposition, which allows the dynamic young duo of Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown to run at tired defenders and pull away in the second half. Eels take a big win at home over their rivals from Melbourne.
Eels 20 over Storm 12
Friday:
Knights at Warriors
Two teams that have been in limbo of late. The Knights seem to have the more talented squat on paper, but often find it difficult to put it all together consistently. The Warriors will be looking forward to having some stability and home games for the first time since COVID. I like Nikoll-Klokstad in the 1 jersey as a tough and reliable replacement for all-NRL legend Sheck and recently departed young gun Reece Walsh. I seem him contributing with over 200 run metres and some excellent returns in the kicking game. Warriors play cleaner football for the victory.
Warriors 18 over Knights 6
Broncos at Panthers
Maybe a preview of the premiership, this should be a barn burner. The Panthers will be angry after their sloppy loss to St Helens in the World Club Challenge, and get to host a Broncos team that really came on towards the latter half of 2022. I can see a tough, back and forth game, but the class of the Panther's defence will get them though, and Cleary's kicking will be the difference.
Panther 30 over Broncos 22
Saturday:
Bulldogs at Manly
Two teams that seem to be going in different directions. The Bulldogs have slowly been building a finals roster, poaching players such as Matt Burton and Villy Kikau from the Panthers, and Josh Addo-Carr from the Storm. Manly is hoping that Turbo Tom can get back to his peak after heading to the US to have his hobbling hamstring sorted. If he can go, the Sea Eagles with go with him. In this game, I can see a sloppy start, and poor execution mixed in with some big runs that allow the Bulldogs to win on the death.
Bulldogs 24 over Manly 22
Raiders at Cowboys
The Cowboys showed under coach Peyton that they could kill you in many ways. Their outside backs are top tier, with pace and size allowing for the vertical game. Their edge allows them to both defend and attack with speed and precision, and their middle forward pack, while lacking in size, can defend ferociously with excellent line speed. After weathering a strong start from the Raiders, I can see the Cowboys taking advantage of ball playing mistakes by Canberra, and turning these mistakes into points.
Cowboys 44 over Raiders 12
Rabbitohs at Sharks
The Rabbitohs will be hungry this year after coming so close in the last few years, but just falling short. They have done a good job in developing young talent, and have a good mix of veterans that creates a nasty attack. The Sharks have one of the class 7s in the league with Hynes, but I think it will take a few rounds for the Sharkies to get their team in order.
Rabbitohs 26 over Sharks 15
Sunday:
Roosters at Dolphins
The Dolphins get a chance to play in Suncorp for their debut, and I can see Bennett getting his defensive structures in order to keep it close early. Unfortunately, in today's NRL, attack is key to allowing your defence to rest up, and the Dolphins look like they may have a bottom 3 offensive group. I can see a scoreless first 10 minutes, with the class of the Chooks coming out and allowing them to pull away comfortably.
Roosters 30 over Dolphins 6
Titans at Tigers
A dud to finish the week, with a Tigers team that just can't seem to keep a roster together, and the Titans as perennial disappointments. I can see this as a mistake filled bore fest, with neither team taking control until the Titans get a late breakaway try and win.
Titans 16 over Tigers 10
Super excited for footy to be back! Up the Panthers!
Comments