NRL Preview by Casey O’Connor
After two weeks of competition fans now have a clearer picture of the 2015 NRL landscape.
The Bunnies and Roosters look streets ahead of the rest.
The Panthers might be the quiet achievers again this year and the young Tigers are flexing their claws.
Perhaps it will be a good year ahead for cat lovers?
The Doggies are showing they have growl and bite while over at Manly they are busy fighting battles on two fronts – on and off the field.
Broncos fans hoping for a promising start are in pain as their team struggles to find its feet.
The Cowboys are winless and are searching to erase the bullseye on JT’s chest, back and head.
Melbourne Storm was the victim of some dodgy calls from the refs last weekend but you expect consistent performances throughout the season.
Injuries are already having a significant impact.
After a promising off season and round one performance the depth of the Eels will be tested as key players battle injury.
The Dragons have similar issues.
The Titans are looking down the barrel of disaster and what was supposed to be a better season for the Sharks is fast turning into another nightmare.
The Knights, Raiders and Warriors will be headache material for tipsters.
The Refs and Judiciary have had below par starts to the season.
Unfortunately we are likely to hear more about the Voldermorts as the season progresses although not if the NRL has its way.
Of course there will be many more changes to this landscape before October.
Round three gets underway on Friday night with a couple of important local derbies.
Manly and Canterbury go head-to-head at Brookvale while in Brisbane the Broncos will be circling the wagons against the Cowboys.
Manly showed ticker to get the points against Melbourne but had plenty go their way.
The Doggies took full advantage of an injury ravaged Parra to get on the winners’ board. This will be a tough game and fans will remind the Bulldogs that they are at Brookvale but, like a dog with a bone, I think they will return to the kennel with the points.
Look for outstanding performances from both DCE and Brett Morris.
At Suncorp, the Cowboys will be hoping to break their duck.
Brisbane is still searching to find their mojo.
As a Broncos supporter I am letting my heart rule my head but this game has split our household.
Another blockbuster clash has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon at ANZ.
One of the highlights of round three are the Bunnies and Tigers.
Last weekend’s game between the Bunnies Roosters was an epic encounter.
The Bunnies began like a whirlwind, went off the boil and had the confidence to back themselves and grab a come from behind win. Bad news for all clubs, captain Greg Inglis said they can play much better.
The young Tigers handed the Dragons an old-fashioned carve up in the first half of their Monday night clash.
In spite of claiming a good win they failed to put the Dragons to the sword in a second half littered with chances.
The Tigers are the young kids on the block and are playing well.
This is their big test.
Expect the Bunnies to win but it might not be easy street.
In other games on Saturday an injury ravaged Parra cross the ditch with a new-look line-up.
The Warriors notched up a win last weekend and their fans will be looking for them to win at home.
The result could depend on how the Eels’ replacements fit the bill.
Canberra Stadium has been a graveyard for Dragons teams but last season they shook off that hoodoo.
On Monday night, the Dragons were victims of themselves against the Tigers.
Schoolboy errors have the coach threatening changes.
The Green Machine showed they have plenty to offer last weekend despite their loss to the Warriors.
There are very positive signs from the young Raiders.
Injuries have weakened the Dragons and the Mean Green Machine will be looking for win number two.
Melbourne Storm hosts the Sharks at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night and even with a repeat performance from the Voldermorts should still win.
The Knights caused an upset for the cowboys last weekend.
Enforcer Beau Scott escaped sanctioning from the judiciary for some unsavoury hits and looks fortunate to have only been slapped with a wet lettuce.
The Knights should make it three from three after their trip to Titan’s headquarters.
Monday night the NRL have served up another mouth-watering clash between the Roosters and Panthers.
The Roosters were good against the Bunnies but Mitchell Pearce is key to their success and he went missing for chunks of the game and needs to be on song for all 80 minutes. Ignore the Panthers’ win over the Titans last weekend.
Look to their opening round for an indication of their potential this season.
Against the odds they finished 2014 with a flurry and with senior players back on the paddock they look the real deal this season.
In a tough game I expect the Roosters to be crowing after the game but if the Penny Panthers pull out a win it would surprise no-one.
Casey’s tips:
Bulldogs
Broncos
Warriors
Raiders
Storm
Bunnies
Knights
Roosters
