Alright, folks.
You should all know the drill by now.
There are 16 teams playing in eight games this weekend, and because nothing in this life is either perfect or complete, we here at Zero Tackleย still believe each of these aforesaid combatants come with a question marks.
So, before the third month of the regular season kicks off on Thursday night, we have sought to answer the most pressing queries ahead of Round 9.
SEE ALSO: Blythy's Round 9 Rev Up
8. Are we finally seeing the Saints' true colours?
Despite still residing inside the top eight, St. George Illawarra's last three starts have been alarming at best.
After turning out an absolute stinker in the pre-season against Souths, many, myself included, had 'Hook's' side finishing the 2021 season inside the competition's windowless basement.
Although the Dragons were huffing and puffing against the Sharks in Round 1, they were breathing fire across the following month.
However, with the Kogarah kids holding an 0-3 record, and a points differential of -12.7, since their electric win over the Eels in Round 5, the double-pronged query must now be posed - were the Dragons simply overachieving early or have they been underachieving lately?
Asย Stats Insiderย give the Red V a less than four in 10 chance of retaining their finals invitation by the time September starts, it appears as though it is the former.
Another loss against the deplorable Dogs this Sunday will confirm the theory, but should a consolidating win be claimed, then the waters are only going to be muddied further.ย
Who are the real Dragons?
Only time is likely to tell us.
