NRL Rewind:- Round 1

By Stephen Gallagher

Well it’s safe to say the fiance isn’t getting as much attention as she would like as the NRL season in now back in full swing.

Round one had so many interesting results – and here’s how it all went down.

Broncos 17 – Eels 4.

Broncos took an early lead and never looked like giving it up. The Eels suffered the loss of Kieran Foran before kick off, and then gun Corey Norman went down in the first half which mean the Eels were never going to get across the line.

It wasn’t an amazing game to kick off the NRL campaign, but the Broncos were good enough in every aspect to get the W.

Bulldogs 28 – Sea Eagles 6

Well this one sided result was not what I had expected to witness on Friday night.

The Bulldogs put on a first half blitz at Brookie and the booming Manly side could not keep up.

It was like the two sides were playing different games, that’s how far behind the Sea Eagles looked.

The second half even out, but it was always an uphill battle for Manly and a battle they were clearly not going to win after 20 minutes. Bulldogs looking very ready after just one match.

Raiders 30 Panthers 22

Probably the game I enjoyed the most this weekend, as well as it being the most even game. It was tit for tat for majority of this game, as the Raiders eventually ran out winners with a last minute try to improve the close scoreline.

Penrith started slow, but once they got their groove on this game was good.

However the win has come at a major coast as Blake Austin has a knee strain and new signing Aidan Sezer with an eye socket injury ruling the pair out of action together for around six weeks.

Wests Tigers 34 Warriors 26

At half time, I would have said I haven’t seen the Tigers put on a clinic like that since the last time they played the Warriors – late in 2015. However the second half proved a Warriors mounting comeback and the Tigers only scoring one try from a very dubious NRL bunker call.

The Tigers did get the job done, and the Warriors first round woes continue. I wouldn’t be calling Jason Taylor a supercoach, and I wouldn’t call Andrew McFadden dead in the water either.

Cowboys 20 Sharks 14

The reigning premiers got their defence off to a winning start at their 1300 SMILES fort. It was a very competitive game – as Cronulla brought to the table a quality performance but were unlucky as Ethan Lowe scored with 5 minutes to go to drown the Sharks.

The Cowboys were really gutsy for 80 minutes, and get the desired result as they continue their winning ways.

Rabbitohs 42 Roosters 10.

So if you were to tell me the Rabbitohs were going to put 42 points on the Sydney-siders in round one, I would not have believed you.

The Roosters are missing plenty of key players in their ranks – but the side they fielded is still one of quality.

The Rabbitohs were a class above however – as Adam Reynolds kicking game was the difference in the opening half as his pin-point accuracy decimanted the Chooks.

This win, much like Canberra has come at a cost. A torn pectorial muscle to John Sutton means 16 weeks on the sideline, and Adam Reynold’s broken jaw means six weeks of smoothies.

Titans 30 Knights 12

The Knights are ready to defend their wooden spoon and started just how everyone expected them to – a big loss.

Even in the pouring rain in Robina – the Titans played up large and came away victors in emphatic fashion.

The Knights fielded a number of debutantes – and the Titans were never going to let the newbies take control. The Gold Coast had the result sewn up before the game kicked off.

Storm 18 Dragons 16

It was the Storm who did enough, just.
Both sides were actually really good to watch. A few early errors creeped in but the game was always tight, despite the Dragons leading 10-0 early.

The Storm always get in against the Dragons, and the Victorians are now victorious in their first game of the season for 12 years straight.

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