Can you believe we are on the eve of another NRL season?
After the craziest year on record in 2020, hopefully we can come back to some sort of normality this season and get stuck into the grind of the most grueling sporting competition on the planet.
Let’s check out round 1!
STORM VS RABBITOHS
THURSDAY, 8:05PM AAMI PARK
Storm (Predicted season finish: 4th)
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. George Jennings, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Bench: 14. Chris Lewis, 15. Tui Kamikmakica, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Nicho Hynes
Rabbitohs (Predicted season finish: 2nd)
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campell Graham, 5. Josh Mansour, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tom Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Tevita Tavola, 11. Jacob Host, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Cameron Murray
Bench: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Keaon Kolomatangi, 17. Jai Arrow
You are almost always guaranteed a classic when you take opening night down to AAMI Park. Fast track, two very good sides, plenty of skill and speed and two impressive packs. This is such a hard one to tip because you can see both sides exploding out of a cannon from the first minute. It’s toss of a coin stuff. Jacob Host starts in the second-row for Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs ahead of new recruit Jai Arrow while Benji gets his spot on the bench. No Harry Grant for the Storm but they have a fair replacement in Brandon Smith. Storm at home by a field goal.
KNIGHTS VS BULLDOGS
FRIDAY, 6PM MCDONALD JONES STADIUM
Knights (Predicted season finish: 8th)
1. Tex Hoy, 2. Starford To’a, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Gehamat Shibasaki, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson
Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones
Bulldogs (Predicted season finish: 14th)
1: Corey Allan, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Jake Averillo, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Ofahiki Ogden, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Jack Hetherington, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Josh Jackson
Bench: 14. Bradley Deitz, 15. Renouf Atoni, 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 17. Dylan Napa
The Bulldogs have improved their roster but they still look a little light. Newcastle has so much talent coming through and there’s a fair sprinkling of veterans and grunt to get them through some tight tussles. Tyson Frizell slides right into the engine room for the home team alongside the likes of David Klemmer, Mitch Barnett and the Saifiti boys. There’s plenty of upside about the Knights. It could be an arm wrestle for 60 or 70 minutes but Newcastle should get home.
BRONCOS VS EELS
FRIDAY, 8:05PM SUNCORP STADIUM
Broncos (Predicted season finish: 15th)
1. Jamayne Isaako, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Herbie Farnworth, 4. Tesi Niu, 5. David Mead, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Tevita Pangai Jnr., 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan
Bench 14. John Asiata, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Ben Te’o
Eels (Predicted season finish: 7th)
1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown
Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi, 15. Isaiah Papali’i, 16. Keegan Hipgrave, 17. Will Smith
It is probable Brisbane will finish the season at the wrong end of the ladder and the Eels themselves are a fair shout of playing in September again in 2021.
But there would be a few people out there smelling an ambush at Suncorp Stadium. It may not last the full 80 minutes but we’ll see plenty of emotion out of the Broncos – especially under new coach Kevin Walters. The Eels may win by a few in the end but it will be closer than what people think.
WARRIORS VS TITANS
SATURDAY, 3PM CENTRAL COAST STADIUM
Warriors (Predicted season finish: 9th)
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Eliesa Katoa, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tohu Harris
Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Leeson Ah Mau, 17. Bunty Afoa, 18. Adam Pompey, 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Josh Curran
Titans (Predicted season finish: 6th)
1. AJ Brimson, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Anthony Don, 6. Ashley Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Moeaki Fotuaika, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. David Fifita, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Jaimin Jolliffe, 17. Erin Clark
The Warriors and Titans met just a few short weeks ago up in Lismore and that finished in a 12-all draw. Impossible to tip this one.
Lots has been made about the Titans in the pre-season and their recruitment – they are a legitimate top 8 contender with every chance of going a few weeks into the finals. On paper, the Warriors look settled. It’s such a long season and with COVID restrictions keeping them from home, the season will get longer for them than any other squad. Round 1, however, should see these two quality teams leave everything out on the field. Let’s go another draw!
ROOSTERS VS SEA EAGLES
SATURDAY, 5:30PM SCG
Roosters (Predicted season finish: 5th)
1: James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Lachlan Lam, 7. Luke Keary, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Isaac Liu
Bench: 14. Adam Keighran, 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 18. Matt Ikuvalu, 19. Fletcher Baker, 20. Freddy Lussick, 21. Sam Walker
Sea Eagles (Predicted season finish: 13th)
- Dylan Walker, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Moses Suli, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Jack Gosiewski, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 14. Tevita Funa, 15. Andrew Davey, 16. Morgan Boyle, 17. Taniela Paseka
If Tom Trbojevic was the fullback for Manly this weekend than you could argue they were a shot at causing the upset. No ‘Tommy T’ and it all looks just a little too much for the Sea Eagles. Manly’s pack and veteran halves should keep the Roosters honest but Trent Robinson’s Tricolours rarely lose at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Roosters by a few tries.
PANTHERS VS COWBOYS
SATURDAY, 7:35PM PANTHERS STADIUM
Panthers (Predicted season finish: 3rd)
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Villame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Matthew Eisenhuth, 17. Liam Martin, 18. J’maine Hopgood, 19. Matt Burton, 20. Robert Jennings, 21. Mitch Kenny
Cowboys (Predicted season finish: 12th)
1: Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Mitchell Dunn, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Bench: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Josh McGuire, 16. Corey Jensen, 19. Reuben Cotter, 17. Lachlan Burr
The Cowboys are no duds and if they can get going under new coach Todd Payten there’s no reason they can’t make a run for the finals. But round 1 at Panthers Stadium against Penrith – the minor premiers still smarting after their grand final loss – is an almighty task. It could be a long night for the Cowboys if Penrith pile on early points. They need to keep it tight and turn it into a scrap down the middle. Panthers to win 13+.
RAIDERS VS WESTS TIGERS
SUNDAY, 4:05PM GIO STADIUM
Raiders (Predicted season finish: 1st)
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Tom Starling, 20. Emre Guler, 21. Harley Smith-Shields
Wests Tigers (Predicted season finish: 10th)
1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Asu Kepaoa, 6. Moses Mbye, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Twal
Bench: 14. Tommy Talau, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Stefano Utoikamanu, 17. Russell Packer
You’re doing okay when you can leave Emre Guler out of your top 17 but that’s how well placed the Raiders are right now. Wests Tigers have gone with Tommy Talau and Russell Packer on the bench but let’s see if this is the same team that runs out on Sunday in Canberra. The Raiders are a true threat for the premiership and should be too classy at home in front of a big crowd.
DRAGONS VS SHARKS
SUNDAY, 6:15PM NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM
Dragons (Predicted season finish: 16th)
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Cody Ramsey, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Adam Clune, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Kerr, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Tyrell Fuimaono
Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Brayden Williame, 18. Jackson Ford, 19. Kaide Ellis, 20. Jordan Pereira, 21. Max Feagai
Sharks (Predicted season finish: 11th)
1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3.Josh Dugan, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Toby Rudolf
Bench: 14. Connor Tracey, 15. Aiden Tolman, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Billy Magoulias
Wow… can it get any worse for the Dragons? On top of some pretty poor pre-season form, Anthony Griffin already has Dragons fans fuming with his selections for round 1. The new coach has gone with Adam Clune in the halves to partner with Ben Hunt and hooker Andrew McCullough. Josh Kerr is in the backrow with Blake Lawrie starting at prop. You’d suspect Brayden Williame will drop off the bench for a bigger body later in the week. Cronulla shouldn’t drop this one. Sharks by a couple of tries.
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