Upsets galore in Round 1 have created some intriguing power ranking arguments in the opening instalment for 2022.
Each week Zero Tackle will present out power rankings. These take into account results, form, quality of opposition and expectations. This isn't always who is the better team.
For instance, I believe the Roosters are a better team overall than the Knights but given the results on the weekend, Newcastle sit well above them in the Power Rankings.
Let us know who you believe put their best foot forward in Round 1.
1. Penrith Panthers
No Nathan Cleary? No worries! What a start from the defending Premiers as they vanquished the very real threat that is the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday night.
The 28-6 win was every bit as dominant as the scoreline suggests. Dylan Edwards outplayed his opposite in yet another 300+ metre effort. It's time to admit the kid can play.
Sean O'Sullivan was excellent in standing in for Nathan Cleary. His debut for Penrith was arguably his best performance in his career to date. The Panthers have done it again.
Viliame Kikau and Liam Martin were both super dominant out wide. James Fisher-Harris is the only man on the planet who can push Payne Haas for the number one prop ranking. Stephen Crichton picked up where he left off while Isaah Yeo won the battle of the Origin 13s.
2. Newcastle Knights
The Knights were the big surprise packets of Round 1. They were very polished in their 20-6 win over the highly fancied Roosters.
Dane Gagai is already proving his worth upon his return to the club with a man of the match performance. He ran for a game high 200 metres and scored an early try.
Jake Clifford was the best half on the field, by a fair margain. His kicking game was on point and his five tackle breaks prove how hard he was to contain.
Dominic Young put forward his best NRL performance to date. David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell and Mitch Barnett won the battle in the middle for Newcastle.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon was a weapon out wide and already looks in a better place than 2021. This was a huge early statement by the rebuilding Knights.
3. Brisbane Broncos
Well then, I absolutely did not see this coming. When Adam Reynolds was ruled out through Covid it looked a case of the Bunnies by how much? It wasn't to be.
Albert Kelly and Billy Walters were brilliant on the night while Kurt Capewell's performance proved he could be the value signing of the season.
Payne Haas was a monster. He is borderline unstoppable despite playing big minutes. Patrick Carrigan is back and made the world of difference in the Broncos middle.
Fair to say that Selwyn Cobbo has a bright future ahead of him. A lot to like from a young Broncos side here.
4. Melbourne Storm
For 50 minutes on Saturday night the Storm were pushed. That said, they managed to record a ten-point victory despite a long list of injuries and sans two of their spine players.
The 26-16 win certainly won't be Melbourne's best win of the season but after losing Christian Welch, George Jennings and Brandon Smith, these points are as good as gold.
Jahrome Hughes was best on ground and his individual try in the 58th minute completely changed the momentum of the game. Ryan Papenhuyzen was also very good.
Xavier Coates was quiet but scored an incredible try late on. Nelson Asofa-Solomona was the definition of an impact player in the late stages. He was huge.
5. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons were pretty slick on Saturday afternoon. Mikaele Ravalawa's hat-trick will dominant headlines but I thought Tyrell Sloan was absolutely incredible!
Jack Bird has finally found a home in the second row. Just a week after being told his future lay elsewhere, Bird's performance was such that he has been offered a big two-year deal.
Jack de Belin and Jaydn Su'A were both ran for over 150 metres while Kerr (from the bench, 123) and Lawrie (138) helped pitch in for the injured Aaron Woods.
Talatau Amone looked at home in the six. That jersey is his for the forseable future.
6. Canberra Raiders
Welcome to the Jack Wighton show. The 2020 Dally M medal winner was best on ground here and the reason Canberra emerged with two competition points. That match-winning play was absolutely brilliant.
The Raiders looked set for a big first-up victory before one of their now trademark fade-outs started to become a reality.
Josh Papalii and the aforementioned Wighton were good enough to drag them out and record a win. Hudson Young's 75th minute try was a thing of beauty.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad proved why he was picked over young Xavier Savage although a move into the centres may be on the horizon regardless. Good first up win in the capital.
7. Parramatta Eels
For fans of attacking football, the first half of the Parramatta - Gold Coast game was for you. For the record I loved it but Eels fans were raging despite leading 26-22 at the break.
Sean Russell scored a first half hattrick but spent the night in hospital following a horror clash while scoring his third try. I wish him well.
Mitchell Moses was the best player on the park. He guided the Eels around superbly, especially in that first half. His boot is a weapon most side simply do not have. Clint Gutherson had a night to forget.
Up front Isaiah Papali'i was unstoppable with another 193 metre effort. It felt like Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gilliard were kept quiet but on checking they recorded 160 and 179 metres respectively. Big efforts that went under the radar.
8. Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs won in Round 1. Their new era started with a victory, away from home no less.
Those are what the Dogs brass and fans alike need to focus on because if they focus on the game itself they'll pull hair out.
This game was dire. Painful to watch at times. That said, the Dogs emerged with competition points which ultimately is what it is all about.
Braidon Burns and Luke Thompson were the standouts. There will be much better games to come but for now, two points are two points.
9. Gold Coast Titans
The Titans end the round having scored 28 points yet coming away with the competition points. That has to be frustrating for the Gold Coast fans.
Phillip Sami and Brian Kelly both crossed for doubles. It looks as though that Titans left edge is going to be tough to contain in 2022.
Toby Sexton played really well, especially given the late withdrawal of his halves partner AJ Brimson.
David Fifita was too quiet for a player of his abilities. One massive break almost changed the game late on but for too long you wondered if he had hit the showers early.
10. Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks were a Jesse Ramien brain fade and a poor defensive set away from starting the Craig Fitzgibbon era off win a gutsy win.
Cronulla looked terrible in the opening 20 minutes before Blayke Brailey's clever try put them right back in the game.
In the second half it was all Sharks with Nicho Hynes pulling the strings. His kicking game is a real asset. Teig Wilton was very good in the absence of Wade Graham.
The bench rotation here was mind boggling as when Royce Hunt and Siosifa Talakai finally came on they rolled the Canberra middles. The Sharks will be hoping to have Fitz back in person in their return to Shark Park to help right that wrong.
11. Wests Tigers
For 50 minutes the Tigers were right in this contest against the highly fancied Storm. Leading 10-4 at halftime, an upset was on the cards.
Ken Maumalo continued his brilliant try scoring record since joining the western Sydney side. He added a double against Melbourne.
Daine Laurie continues his incredible rise. He ran for 178 metres and threatened all night.
The metres were spread across the forward pack and they didn't have a real standout. That said I really like the look of Kelma Tuilagi.
12. North Queensland Cowboys
The only thing worse than watching a game of this "quality" is watching your team lose it. If that late try had stood, Cowboys fans are celebrating regardless of the proceeding 78 minutes.
This game was awful but the Cowboys can take some positives. I thought Tom Gilbert was the best player on the park despite playing for the defeated side.
Heilum Luki was very tough to contain on the edge. He looks as though he has a big season ahead of him.
What is Todd Peyton doing with Jason Taumalolo? I honestly think he forgot the weapon was sitting on the bench. If this is the season we're in for from the Cowboys, count me out.
13. Manly Sea Eagles
Let me be very clear; it's only Round 1. That said, the Sea Eagles recent run of results against the very top sides continues to be very poor. This week to the tune of a 28-6 loss.
Tom Trbojevic was kept super quiet as Penrith peppered Jason Saab all night with the high ball. Every time Turbo touched the ball you could hear the defenders calling his name as they shut him down.
Ethan Bullemor scored a magical try right on half-time which unfortunately was the only real highlight for the travelling Sea Eagles.
You'd be flat chat finding a fan who is worried after the result but having gone 0 and 6 against fellow top four sides in 2021, they would have wanted and expected more here.
14. New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors were far from bad against the Dragons but there were signs that this could be a long season. Shaun Johnson was equal parts brilliant and frustrating.
Addin Fonua-Blake was a monster in the middle while Josh Curran continues to establish himself as a genuine star in the middle.
Bayley Sironen was absolutely wasted and didn't record a single run in his 21 minute spell. That can't happen at this level.
Euan Aitken's future is in the back row. He has become such an all round player. Eliesa Katoa put his name in the discussion for when Tohu Harris returns.
15. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The new era for South Sydney was a game, and result, they'd like to forget. A dire performance wielded just the one try.
Cody Walker will want to rid himself of memories of Suncorp as his last two games there have seen him throw two interceptions for tries.
This is a side who will welcome back Latrell Mitchell next week so I certainly won't be making too many assumptions based on one game against a fired up Broncos outfit.
Jai Arrow looked like himself again having been allowed 71 minutes on an edge. Lachlan Ilias looked comfortable despite being quiet on the night.
16. Sydney Roosters
The Roosters were Round 1s biggest disappointment. Despite having both their star halves on board they were massively outplayed by the much keener Newcastle Knights.
James Tedesco had a game to forget after being denied an early contender for try of the season.
I'm not sure starting Jared Waerea-Hargeaves from the bench was a smart ploy. Surely they needed their number one threat to take on David Klemmer and Jacob Saifiti early on.
Injuries to Billy Smith and Victor Radley are the only long-term concerns as my guess is this performance will be largely forgotten by this time next week. Still, not ideal for a side who has recent struggles in season openers.
