Fisky’s Four Points After Four Rounds

 

We are settling into another exciting NRL season and I would like to take the opportunity to give my thoughts on each team. It is early days but hopefully my four dot points sufficiently cover my opinions on what fans of each club should expect for the remainder of 2011.

St George-Illawarra:

Have almost got through their tricky opening away schedule unscathed

Jason Nightingale, Nathan Fien and Darius Boyd the early standouts

Wollongong home ground development almost complete and Dean Young now back on the paddock

Clear and deserved premiership favourites – you could do worse than back them at current prices

 

Melbourne:

Sweet early draw sees them very well placed

Big three stars in the most important positions mean they will rarely be out of a contest but they are admittedly rather thin in the pack and bench

Origin will hit them like a sledgehammer but two BYES at strategic times will help

Odds-on for a top-4 finish but may just be a player or two short in the big games

 

Sydney Roosters:

Shaky start but enough class to be regarded as one of the main dangers to St George-Illawarra

Pearce and Carney certainly below their best but does that mean they are timing their run?

Have to do without their halves and Myles before all three Origin matches which could cost them a top-4 berth

Questionable pack and depth off bench (plus Brian Smith’s big match record) has me prepared to lay them despite their point-scoring ability

 

Canterbury-Bankstown:

Hodkinson, Barba, Idris, Ennis and Tolman really have jumped out of the blocks well

Brett Morris returns in a matter of weeks which will only see them improve but their halves don’t have the pedigree and experience of the main players in the Telstra premiership

My main concern is the fact they may have “front-ended” their season just like 2009 (when they faded late)

A top-4 spot seems very possible but will they be one of the best-performing four sides at the business end of the season? I say probably not

 

Wests Tigers:

The injury crisis has cruelled what look liked a definite top-4 finish

Will cop a terrible run of results in the next two months but should be back to full strength in the finals-bound rounds

Benji still fit and absolutely firing while Galloway is in career-best form

If they can sneak into the top-6 I have no hesitation in saying they are St George-Illawarra’s main rivals

 

Manly-Warringah:

Are on the cusp of returning to full strength now that Brett Stewart, David Williams and Jamie Lyon seem fit

Impressive early season form of Hopoate and Buhrer mean the likes of Tony Williams and Steve Matai may strengthen the Sea Eagles bench

Foran and Cherry Evans slowly forming a decent halves partnership

Dessy always has his team putting in 100% so combined with their solid and experienced squad, Manly has to be close to a top-8 certainty

 

Canberra:

Wonderfully strong pack is getting on top of their opposition regularly

Unfortunately they are being let down by a misfiring bunch of hookers and halves and this won’t improve till Tongue and Campese return mid-season

Josh Dugan’s health is a concern – there is no definitive reason for his calf issues thus far

At full strength and at top form this is a very good side. My worry is that their season may be all-but over before we get to see them firing on all cylinders

 

Brisbane:

Hodges has made a successful return while Ben Hannant has taken no time returning to his best

Youngsters Hoffman, Yow-Yeh, Beale and Glenn certainly realising their potential with every passing week

While they have experience, Locky and Wallace just seem to be lacking the touches of other leading halves in the NRL so far – I’ve been around long enough to realise that they may be waiting for the back end of the season however

Potentially a top side but it may not be until Bennett arrives in 2012 that they become a true powerbroker

 

South Sydney:

Culture of the club, on-field strategy and off-field injury management seems amateur

Composure of their halves is also dicey but I do think both can lift if their confidence is at the right level

Greg Inglis and Dave Taylor seem under-utilised but this should improve

If the stars align, South Sydney could emerge from the pack but they are lacking a few cool heads in my opinion

 

Newcastle:

Don’t underestimate the short-term benefits of the Tinkler takeover – everyone will be putting in each week to secure their future at what will become a super-club

Jarrod Mullen is one of the best players in the NRL and will challenge Pearce and Carney for an Origin berth

Still rather think in the pack, bench and sorely missing DeGois and young Henry

A 50-50 proposition for finals footy but even if they make it, are probably a year away from truly competing with the best

 

North QLD:

I have enjoyed seeing Bowen playing some solid footy while JT is certainly doing his best to lift his side

Dallas Johnson and Matt Scott are adding some starch to a formerly soft pack

Still very thin in about half a dozen positions across the park

The Cowboys have shown when they are in the right headspace they can challenge at times but I will be shocked if they can keep it up all season and a midfield finish  seems their best hope

 

NZ Warriors:

Probably one of the most disappointing sides so far in 2011 but they will win their fair share of games as the season progresses

I don’t see too many stars in this team – it is more of a solid 17-man squad

Manu Vatuvei’s absence will probably cruel their season

I was happy to see coach Cleary shake things up with mass changes last week; some of these players need to be put on their toes but I don’t think they will do more or less than finish midfield in 2011

 

Gold Coast:

Ageing, slow, uncreative and generally mediocre across the park

Scott Prince and Preston are battling injuries and it’s sad to see them battling at this stage of their careers

Nathan Friend’s return can’t come quickly enough

John Cartwright’s side has too much pride to finish last but they will be closer to bottom spot than top – that is for sure and certain

 

Parramatta:

Non-existent halves and hookers make Hayne’s and Burt’s job extremely tough

Kearney’s side is putting in 100% every week which makes their performances even more concerning

Their tough and young pack is good to watch

The poor old Eels will battle on in low scoring games all year but fans can rest assured they won’t lie down

 

Cronulla:

Their big name forwards have not disappointed but they may be fighting a losing battle for most of the season

Backs are trying to be more creative than previous Sharks sides but I’m not sure if intent will get them over the tryline alone

Albert Kelly has at least redeemed himself from last year and Gardner is a talented and gutsy little fella

Showing plenty of ticker but unless it rains each week they will be thoroughly outclassed if their opposition treat them with respect

 

Penrith:

Home performances have been terribly meek which make me question their intent at this early stage of the season

Crowds, financial pressures and coaching speculation is creating an unstable environment

Waterhouse and Coote are in terrible early-season form while Tahu does not look like he will trouble many defenders all year

Their two away performances along with the experience and class of Lewis, Petero, Gordon and Jennings means I will not give up on them just yet

 

Enjoy the footy everyone! I'll be back in a fortnight with my early Origin thoughts.