NRL Preview Round 1
The Form Guide
The 2018 NRL season promises to be one the most intriguing in years. Never have we seen so many big name players in such crucial positions, switch clubs between seasons. So while it is difficult to talk form as we look forward to round 1, there are a number of questions that, once answered, will point us in the right direction.
The biggest question of the year is what effect Cooper Cronk’s move will have on both the Storm and the Roosters. Craig Bellamy will be working overtime to ensure his well-oiled Melbourne machine keep ticking over without their start halfback, and he has a couple of bona fide legends to help him do that. While Cameron Smith and Billy Slater will produce exactly what we expect of them, it is the form of Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft that will go a long way towards determining if the Storm can be the first team since the early 90s to win back to back premierships. Over at Bondi, there will be a huge amount of pressure on Cronk, particularly after the tricolours were forced to offload Mitchell Pearce to the Knights. Cronk has two years to deliver the club the premiership they are chasing, and Roosters fans are not known to be the most forgiving bunch.
Up north, the Cowboys have taken their grand final team, and effectively added Jonathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Jordan McLean. Wow. These boys are going to take some stopping this year. Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo were outstanding in the back half of last year, and the return of Thurston and Scott, with the addition of McLean, means they should be even stronger this year. That is scary stuff for every other club.
There are plenty of other questions, too. Can Ben Hunt transform the Dragons? Can the Broncos win without him? Who fared better in the direct trade of Matt Moylan and James Maloney? Can Mitchell Pearce lift the Knights off the cellar floor? What kind of player can James Tedesco be when he has some quality around him? Will the Raiders disappoint their fans again, or can they finally fulfil their undoubted potential? And what, exactly, will Jarryd Hayne do at the Eels? So many questions, all of which will begin to be answered this weekend.
The Big Games
There’s a number of big clashes to open proceedings for 2018, starting on Thursday night when the Dragons host the Broncos. The effect of Ben Hunt’s move will be keenly watched by both sets of fans, as will the form of controversial figure Matt Lodge. Kick off can’t come quickly enough for him. Broncos fans will be keen to know if Kodi Nikorima has the game management to be a full time halfback, and if Anthony Milford can justify his million dollar price tag.
The Sharks ($2.60) travel to Townsville on Friday night to meet the Cowboys ($1.50), as daunting a round 1 assignment as you can be dealt. Matt Moylan starts his Cronulla career in the number 6 jumper, but with Valentine Holmes and Josh Dugan in the team as well, we will have to wait and see if that is where he stays. For the Cowboys, big Jordan McLean makes his debut in arguably the best forward pack in the competition. This match is sure to be a cracker.
The Tigers ($3.60) are at long odds against the Roosters ($1.30), but all eyes will be on the Chooks’ new recruits to see how quickly they can settle in. The combination of Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco will be an exciting one to watch develop this year.
Sunday afternoon delivers us a sensational western Sydney matchup between the Panthers ($1.90) and Eels ($1.90), two teams who will be looking for improvement from last year. Bevan French has won the battle with Jarryd Hayne for the fullback spot, but expect to see both players drop back at some stage. Penrith fans will be waiting to see if James Maloney can help young Nathan Cleary to become the superstar they are hoping he can be.
Predictions
It’s always tough in round one, and the betting suggests there are some tricky games to pick. The Broncos can win as outsiders against St George, while the Knights new combinations will take some time to click, with manly being too strong early in the season. The Cowboys will use the home ground advantage to rumble the Sharks, and the Roosters will click straight into gear against the Tigers. Souths should get home over the Warriors, and the Storm will cover the loss of Billy Slater to beat the Dogs. On Sunday, the Eels will justify the hype with a win over the Panthers, and the Raiders will get the chocolates on the Gold Coast.
Best Bet
With good preseason form and strong finish to last year, Parramatta don’t deserve to be outsiders against Penrith. It will be close, so Parramatta by 1-12 ($3.15) is the best bet of the week.
