The dust has settled after the first round but does the NRL ladder tell the whole story? Here's our Power Rankings for Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season. Do you agree/disagree with them?
1. Roosters
The reigning Minor Premiers left Townsville with two competition points and a massive victory over one of the more fancied sides this season. The Cowboys simply did not have any answers to match the tri-colour onslaught. Guerra and Cordner showed why the Roosters didnโt go out of their way to replace SBW. Itโs hard to believe but it looks as though the Roosters have become more dangerous with the addition of Ferguson whilst moving RTS to fullback. Itโs very VERY early, but geese, what a statement.
2. Rabbitohs
All the talk pre-game was about the new look Broncos. Wayne Bennett returns, Parker plays 300 โฆ the Rabbits win in a landslide. Adam Reynolds looks like an absolute lock for Origin duties such has been his form. The concern was that Souths would struggle up front after losing Burgess. Souths fans need not have worried as their big men dominated a pretty handy Broncos pack. Once again itโs very early, but the signs are there that another successful season is on the cards for the defending Premiers.
3. Eels
There wonโt be many Eels fans who are not over the moon with their sideโs 30 point victory over arch rivals Manly. Chris Sandow showed that he still has the talent that made him one of the leagueโs most exciting players just a few seasons ago. Semi Radradra is a near unbackable favourite to top the try scoring, having scored three in the opener. Anthony Watmough, although targeted, adds another dimension, and aggression, to the Eels pack, making them a far more dangerous outfit. Brilliant start to the season.
4. Panthers
If not for a late Bulldogs fight back, the Panthers may have topped the rankings, such was their early dominance against the Bulldogs. Jamie Soward is another who looks to have brought his 2014 into 2015. The Panthers seem to be able to churn out young backs with ease. George Jennings is the latest to fall off the assembly line, and joined fellow young gun DWZ in a scoring start to the season. Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachy could be the two most exciting bench forwards in the game. A worrying last fifteen or so minutes aside, Panthers fans will be very happy with their start to the season.
5. Knights
Newcastle started their season with a solid win over the far more favoured Warriors. The Knights were probably slightly better than the ten point margin suggests. Despite a horror 2014, there is a fresh feel about the red and blues in the Hunter. Young Gagai had an absolute blinder, scoring two tries and causing plenty of problems for the Warriorโs defence. Encouragingly Kade Snowden made over 140 metres and got stuck into plenty of work.
6. Raiders
In perhaps the upset of the weekend the Raiders beat the Sharks away from home. Jack Wighton, brain snap and right hands aside, was one of the players of the round. That 80 metre try from the tap will be replayed til exhaustion this season. Up front Shaun Fensom looked good on his return to NRL action following a knee reconstruction. Sisa Waqa scored on his debut for the Green Machine. Mitch Cornish looks like heโs going to be quite the NRL first grader.
7. Storm
For those who managed to watch the entire 80 minutes of Monday Night Football, they would have seen yet another clinical โฆ ish, game from the Storm. Although there were some silly errors, the Storm never looked in trouble despite defending their own line for large parts of the first half. Incredibly all five Storm backs recorded over 100 run metres. Either their forwards were tired or there was a plan to target the Dragons outside backs. Either way, there are much better things to come for the Storm this season.
8. Tigers
Although they made hard work of it, the Tigers got off to the perfect start for 2015 defeating the Titans. A field goal from Pat Richards on the last play of the game saw off a determined Titans side. This was another game littered with errors, but the Tigers looked the better side throughout. Pat Richards turned back the clock scoring two tries, to add to his game winning final play. Aaron Woods looked like a monster in the middle with over 200 metres. James Tedesco was solid and is set for a huge season.
9. Titans
Given all the adversity they faced in the past few weeks, the Titans put up one hell of a fight, and looked as though they might pinch it late against the Tigers. James Roberts grabbed a double and looked dangerous throughout while Josh Hoffman showed signs. It was never going to be a highlight package performance from the home side, but they showed the fight that will make fans proud. They face a huge challenge this weekend against the Panthers.
10. Bulldogs
Bulldogs fans and officials wonโt be too worried with the opening performance, but it really could have been much, much worse. If not for a late fight back, the Dogs may enter their round two fixture against the Eels with a very difficult level of confidence. Brett Morris is without a doubt the buy of the season, at least on paper, and looked every bit a future mainstay at fullback. The Dogs forwards were disappointing, with only Graham of the run on side making over 100 metres. Klemmer and Kasiano made a lot of metres off the bench.
11. Sharks
Sharks fans suffered that familiar feeling as their side fell just short despite a spirited effort as they went down to the visiting Raiders. Some serious defensive lapses, and a horror debut at five-eighth for Ben Barba combined to see a small crowd head home disappointed despite some positive signs. Sosaia Feki continues to score tries, while Michael Gordon continued his 2014 form. Gallen and Fifita made a mountain of metres, although the later made some schoolboy errors heโll be looking to avoid on Friday.
12. Warriors
The Warriors are notoriously slow starters and suffered a demoralising victory at Newcastle. Hardly the end of the world, but the Warriors are looking for consistency in 2015 to ensure they play finals footy. The Warriors star players simply failed to stand up. That being said, their performance wasnโt exactly terrible, and they should have plenty of improvement in them. Ryan Hoffman was strong on debut, while young Lolohea had a solid game at fullback.
13. Dragons
The Dragons werenโt downright awful on Monday Night, but they didnโt offer much. They failed to score after seemingly pinning the Storm on their own line for most of the first half. Benji Marshall showed some encouraging signs and young Nabuli scored on debut, but there wasnโt too much else to come out of this game. The Dragons need MUCH more from the likes of Merrin, and especially Rose. A front rower needs to play more than 14 minutes here and there.
14. Cowboys
Make no mistake about it, the Cowboys were embarrassed by the Roosters on Saturday night. Thurston, Scott and co. had no answers, but are such good players, an early loss wonโt worry them too much. I canโt remember a game where Thurston was less of a factor. The Cowboys forwards made plenty of metres, but they were simply out played. They likely wonโt face such tough opposition against the Knights, and should improve.
15. Sea Eagles
What a horror weak for the Sea Eagles. A huge loss, compounded by the news that both of their star halves are leaving at seasonโs end. Itโs tough to think of anything positive to come out of their Friday Night showing. Manly still have a top eight side on paper, but their minds need to be on the job or theyโll fall away.
16. Broncos
Expectations were high following the return of Wayne Bennett, but reality hit as they were belted by the Premiers. Sam Thaiday had an absolute shocker, and will play from the bench against the Sharks as a result. Anthony Milford looked a million miles away from being ready to play in the halves, while Jordan Kahu wonโt want to remember the season opener. Too early to write the Broncos off yet, but not a great start.
Cherry ripe to leave?
Manly need to come out and either state that there is zero chance DCE leaves the club before the end of the season, or they cut him. The current โwill he, wonโt heโ situation has nothing but a negative effect on the club, and the player. I canโt be the only one quickly tiring of the whole saga.
Not so sweet Valentine
I simply cannot see how the Sharks have again overlooked their most exciting young player, Valentine Holmes, for first grade selection. Mitch Brown wonโt let anyone down, but Holmes is the kind of player you can build a membership campaign around, not someone who should be playing 20s.
Sun needs to set on Sunday evening footy
The Sunday 6:30 timeslot is fast becoming the new dreaded timeslot. Only 11,000 turned up to see the new look Sharks host Canberra. The fact there is no 2 pm kick off on Sunday afternoon is absolute stupidity. As if we needed more proof that the networks run the game.
