The big questions facing every team ahead of Round 4

With 2021 entering the final week of it's first month, the wheat has started to become separated from the chaff. Whether your side is unbeaten or unbackable, each of the NRL's 16 teams still have quandaries to ponder as the road to September begins to narrow. Once again, here are the big questions facing every team as they enter a blockbuster Easter Round of Rugby League. Brisbane Broncos Can they build on their drought breaker? It may have taken 259-days and a pair of lockdowns, but the Brisbane Broncos are finally back in the winner's circle. Across their 80-minute ‘contest' against Canterbury, Brisbane never trailed, dominated possession and completed upwards of 80% of their 45 sets. Their victory on Saturday proved a trio of truths: Firstly, it is clear that due to packing enough punch to split the Dogs' porous defense at least four times and leak none themselves, they cannot be considered the worst side in the competition at the minute. Secondly, despite past derision, their young backs – namely Xavier Coates and Jamayne Isaako – are worth putting up with more contemporary despair to watch. Finally, although they were good enough to claim kick start their season last week, Kevin Walters' stable still has plenty of work to do. With a contest against a Melbourne Storm side desperate for victory this week, the former powerhouse franchise is likely to crash back to reality pretty quickly on Friday. Plus, with wider Brisbane area locked down and the Suncorp side forced to flee to Sydney, this adversity is likely to cause the young side instability in the near future. https://twitter.com/zerotackle/status/1376369772347019265 As the Broncos are set to face Souths and Penrith after their clash with Melbourne, all signs point to the air flowing out of their balloon much quicker than it went in. Canberra Raiders Will Stuart's storm off sidetrack them? For those that have followed the game at any time between 1988 and last Saturday afternoon, you will be completely aware that Ricky Stuart is never short of a word when he is hot under the collar. Still, dumping cryptic messages about truths and departing a press conference after just 90-seconds is a new one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2TL-lrCBno Despite his emotional exit and his sideline antics, the 54-year-old escaped without a fine, but could his ranting and raving impact his side negatively ahead of their clash with the in-form Gold Coast Titans? As ‘Sticky' has been tightly affiliated with the Raiders for 19 of his 34-years in the game, it is unlikely that his shooting from the hip will have too much of an adverse effect on his troops, as it has almost become the norm. If Stuart wasn't willing to criticize match officials, dodgy decisions and the opposition, we would all be rushing to take his temperature. The star half and Premiership coach is constantly running hot from the lip, but it doesn't stop him taking his team to September. However, it is unlikely that he and his team will be moving on without any scars after blowing a 19-point half-time lead. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs How bad could their Good Friday clash get? Having failed to cross the white line since the 75th minute of their Round 1 clash against the Knights, Trent Barrett's Bulldogs look abominable. With their season now 240-minutes old, the Belmore boys currently average a despicable 5.3 points per game – even with their re-tooled line up. Posting a goose egg against a powerful Penrith line-up in sodden conditions should never be expected, but depending on how sympathetic you are to the rebuilding side, it could be excused. Failing to score against last season's wooden spooners in conditions tailor made for footy, is about as poor as a Dickensian protagonist. https://twitter.com/NRL_Bulldogs/status/1375915530301931526 With South Sydney averaging 23.3 points and four tries per game in 2021, some suggest that all the need do to take the two competition points this weekend is show up. Still, as Easter has always been centered around the theme of rebirth, Trent Barrett will be desperate for the same to happen with his squad. That or actually scoring for the first time in 165-minutes. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Is their season shot if they lose this week? Although I have almost certainly gone far too early with this query, Cronulla's upcoming fixtures look daunting. Currently sitting 1-2 entering their clash against the calamitous Cowboys, should John Morris' wounded Sharks fail to square their season's ledger, they could come apart at the seams. https://twitter.com/Cronulla_Sharks/status/1377089495112187905 Across the months of April and May, the boys in the black, white and blue are set to face five of last season's finalists within the space of eight weeks. Contests against the Dragons and Dogs should be winnable, but those against the Roosters, Knights, Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Titans are another kettle of fish altogether. Some may suggest that my track record of predictions has been woeful and that it never pays to stare too far into the future, but should the Cows topple Cronulla this Saturday, the latter could conceivably be sitting at 3-8 by the half way point of the season. Of course, we can't put a line through the Shire's side bottles it this long weekend, it does set a dangerous precedent. Gold Coast Titans Can they repeat their form of the last fortnight against quality sides? There is no denying that Justin Holbrook's rebuilt Titans have looked fantastic across the past two weeks, but can they replicate their form now the intensity is set to lift? Although averaging 36-points per game in their last two outings, Gold Coast are yet to face a side that finished in the eight last season, this is all set to change across the month of April. With clashes against Canberra, Newcastle, Manly and South Sydney, if the Titans can't shift their gears smoothly now that the speed limit has risen, their perrenial pretenders tag is likely to remain for at least another season. Despite their second row looking destructive, Jamal Fogarty back to his best and the franchise's greatest ever score posted just last week, if the same intensity can't be brought against the Green Machine on Saturday night and for the remainder of the month, their pre-season hype should rightfully come under fire. https://twitter.com/GCTitans/status/1376806448437587968 Manly Sea Eagles Is there any scenario that sees them beat Penrith? Sure, if ‘Tommy Turbo' was back and Des Hasler somehow managed to include a peak ‘Beaver' Menzies and Cliff Lyons combination, then sure, I'd be inclined to give the Sea Eagles a sniff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOcf-NNSkrU However, back in the real world, there are six competition points, 14 teams and a points differential between Manly and the boys from the foot of the Blue Mountains. For good reason too – Manly have lost 11 of their last 12 matches. If you are backing the 'Brooky' boys this weekend, you either know something, nothing or the Easter long weekend has you believing in miracles. Personally, Thursday night's clash looks as though it could be another gory crucifixion for Manly. Melbourne Storm Are we witnessing the empire's first cracks? If there is one thing I have learnt across my years following Rugby League, it is that claiming the competition's contemporary king as dead requires concrete proof. Despite the fact that Melbourne have failed to claim a win across the past fortnight, they have been pitted against some of the competition's strongest teams and they haven't been blown away either. As mentioned last week, if Clint Gutherson has decided to take a night off from defending his line, the Storm would have held a 2-0 record. If Viliame Kikau was a smaller man, then they would sit atop the comp undefeated. https://twitter.com/NRLonNine/status/1375044694921515010 With a clash against Brisbane this weekend and another against the Bulldogs the following week, it would be a brave or foolish punter that backs their losing streak to extend beyond two. Newcastle Knights Was Sunday just an off day or something more sinister? Although it is unlikely that many of the 20,239 spectators that showed up on Sunday would have seen the game panning out the way it did, but for Adam O'Brien and his side, their loss to the previously tame Tigers is no cause for alarm bells. Across the 80-minute contest, the Knights committed 18 errors, many of which ended up with Wests crossing the try line. Despite being far from ideal, at least the root of the problem is isolated. https://twitter.com/NRLKnights/status/1376074640620064769 Further positives for O'Brien were that despite his side's desire to shoot themselves in the foot every five minutes or so, they were able to post a score that took the Tigers 72-minutes to surpass. The loss also highlighted just how important David Klemmer's offload game is, as Wests were able to keep the 27-year-old to just one for the afternoon. Losses to sides below you happen from time to time in a league like the NRL, but as a side desperate to return to September again this season, Newcastle cannot make a habit of it. With a month ahead that involves games against St. George and Cronulla, it will be then when we see if the Novacastrians have learnt their lesson or not. New Zealand Warriors Have they turned a corner? Here it is, folks. The first of two apologies for the week. To the New Zealand Warriors players, coaches, supporters and front office, I unreservedly apologize for doubting your ability to win big games of football. Now the formalities are out of the way, it is on you to extrapolate on this new trend of your invention. Last Saturday afternoon's bizzarro win against Canberra appeared to be a line in the sand for the Warriors. Not content with being blown off the park in the second half, it was their ability to reel the Raiders in – not the other way around for once – that saw them claim the competition points. https://twitter.com/NRL/status/1375687113190989824 That and Roger Tuivasa-Scheck's herculean try saver in the dying stages. If their fullback's final season wasn't enough to fire up the Mount Smart franchise, then surely his aforementioned effort should be enough to top up their gas tank for this Sunday's clash against the Tri-Colours. https://twitter.com/NRL/status/1376323061247438848 Nathan Brown's side's ability to fight back against a quality opposition whilst on the road should be seen as proof that they have turned a corner, but will they remain on the straight and narrow or does yet another jaunt from the tracks await their long-suffering fans? We will know after their clash against the beleaguered Chooks is complete. North Queensland Cowboys Are they ready to stop digging yet? After just three weeks, it is clear that North Queensland's season could not get any worse. Just ask Josh McGuire. https://twitter.com/FOXNRL/status/1376112157889196037 Across 240-minutes of Rugby League in 2021, the Cowboys are averaging a pathetic 8.6 points per game, but are conceding a mammoth mean of 31. Todd Payten's team is currently so flat that you could slide them under a door, but with a trio of winnable games in as many weeks, is this the point that the Cowboys start digging themselves out of their own grave? Should the Townsville based team manage to secure wins against Cronulla, Wests and Canterbury, then their horror start will become a distant memory. Should they fail to capitalize on these friendly fixtures, then it will only prove that they aren't content with their already mile deep hole. With a roster on paper that is much better than their results, it is up to Payton and those that chew up the vast majority of their salary cap to begin digging up. For McGuire, it appears as though his nightmare stint in Townsville is over. https://twitter.com/zerotackle/status/1377389624901824512 Parramatta Eels Can we rely on Arthur's Eels yet? As one of just two undefeated teams remaining in the competition, most would be claiming yes, you can trust this 2021 iteration of the Parramatta Eels. https://twitter.com/LeagueUnlimited/status/1376126927291830278 However, if you are a rusted-on fan that has weathered their Sahara like drought across the past three and a half decades, you are likely to be asking for a larger sample size. With a friendly fixture to start April against Wests and St. George, Brad Arthur's men should continue on their winning ways, but with Canberra and the Chooks waiting to round out the month, this will be when we all find out what the boys from Bankwest are made of. If the Eels remain unstoppable by the time May rolls around, then you can be sure that they will no longer be flying under any possible radar. Should their bundle be dropped, and their supporter's emotions toyed with once more, then the narrative is unlikely to be altered. Penrith Panthers Is their best the competition's best? Succinctly, yes. Just as it was for the vast majority of last season. Until the Panthers are stopped by a contender, this will remain the case. https://twitter.com/PenrithPanthers/status/1375262356037464067 With a relatively kind draw across the next month that sees Ivan Cleary's big cats face Manly and Brisbane away, plus Canberra and Newcastle at home, they should continue their winning ways for another calendar page. There really isn't anything else to add. South Sydney Rabbitohs Is their best the competition's best? Since their horror first half against Melbourne at the Graveyard adjacent AAMI Park, Wayne Bennett's Bunnies haven't missed a beat. Some doubted their ability to contend with the previously white-hot Roosters last Friday night, but with a first half that saw them cross the white line on four occasions, these naysayers were silenced pretty quickly. https://twitter.com/SSFCRABBITOHS/status/1375553143942037507 Souths are set to face four teams that failed to make the finals last season over the next month in Canterbury, Brisbane, Wests and the Gold Coast. If the current trend remains true, expect their points differential to skyrocket before their stiff start to May against the Raiders and Storm. It is hard to know just where South Sydney stand against the competition's other contenders, but if they keep winning, their Premiership price with the bookies is sure to keep shrinking. St George Illawarra Dragons How much will Hunt's absence hurt them? Despite putting in a first-Round shift well below his standards, Ben Hunt has been at his best across the past fortnight, even dragging his Dragons into the eight. That was until his corked leg was found to be broken. https://twitter.com/FOXNRL/status/1377084579509510144 St. George Illawarra now enter their litmus test clash against Newcastle sans both their captain and their chief playmaker. Although Adam Clune will be tasked with filling the seven jersey, the onus is now squarely on Andrew McCullough and Corey Norman to set the pace, tone and standards for the next four to six weeks. With the Dragons fixtured to face the Knights, Eels, Warriors and Roosters over the next month, those of us on the other side of the fence will be able to see just what Hunt brings to the Red V and how much, or little, Anthony Griffin misses his halfback. Sydney Roosters Could things have gone any worse? Probably not, no. When you lose your star half and rising five-eighth to knee injuries, your young prop to the bin and the fight to your oldest and most bitter rival, that is about as bad as things can get. https://twitter.com/nrlphysio/status/1375401587816816645 Having entered Friday night's clash against Souths as the competition's in form team, both the tag and their composure had evaporated by half-time. With a team resembling the walking wounded, Trent Robinson will be forced to shuffle his pack ahead of a clash against the in-form Warriors. Although still the favourite with the bookies, the beleaguered Chooks will need to be at their best against the plucky Warriors, as the following five weeks do not appear too friendly. Set to face the Sharks, Storm, Dragons, Knights and Eels, if Robinson and his battered Roosters can stem the bleeding ahead of the season's halfway point, they will still be seen as contenders when their cavalry returns. Wests Tigers Was Sunday something they can replicate? Don't worry, Wests fans. I haven't forgotten about you either. Last week I laid the boots into your side and they became the latest team to force feed me my own words. For this, I apologize, but like I said with the Warriors, a win one week followed up by a loss doesn't cut the mustard. With your side set to take on Parramatta this week, I'm still not backing them, but if another 80-minute effort like last Sunday is on the cards, you will soon have my support in writing and in finances. Although up against it this weekend, Wests do have a pair of winnable games to round out April when they face both the Cowboys and Sea Eagles at home. Should the same effort and ability to pounce on errors be brought until the start of May, ‘Madge's' men should have their season back on track. https://twitter.com/WestsTigers/status/1376289242524102660

The big questions facing every team ahead of Round 4

As we round out the first month of the season, here are a fresh set of queries facing the NRL’s 16 teams👇

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		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CAN	7	6	1	14	74
2	MEL	7	5	2	12	78
3	CBR	8	6	2	12	58
4	NZW	7	5	2	12	-4
5	BRI	8	5	3	10	78
6	CRO	9	5	4	10	45
7	MAN	8	4	4	10	36
8	NQL	7	4	3	10	-10