NRL Round One Preview
Broncos vs Rabbitohs
Match Up - Alex Glenn/Sam Thaiday vs Glenn Stewart/John Sutton. This will be Stewart's NRL debut for the Bunnies and I'm keen to see how they go with play makers on both edges. Also very keen to see Thaiday back out on the edge after playing a lot of prop/lock recently, it's going to be a great battle.
Key Men - Anthony Milford, the Broncos need to get Milford some ball going forward and allow him to work his magic. Last season the Broncos were solid but lacked any real punch, Milford offers that. Isaac Luke will also be dangerous with the Broncos big pack lumbering around the middle of the field.
Keep An Eye On - Jordan Kahu at fullback for the Broncos, can he fill that play making void stepping in to the line?
Verdict - Rabbitohs <12. They know how they play and won't miss a beat, while the Broncs will take some time to figure things out.
Eels vs Sea Eagles
Match Up - Manu Ma'u/Tepai Moeroa vs Feleti Mateo. Last season Ma'u swapped sides frequently so I'm not sure who Mateo will line up against but he's going to be in for a nightmare on defence as both Ma'u and Moeroa are ruthless. However, they'll be tested defensively by Mateo as well ... low key very interested to see how Mateo goes with Manly.
Key Men - Will Hopoate is a fine ball runner but can he help out Chris Sandow and Corey Norman with some ball playing?
Keep An Eye On - Clint Gutherson in the centres. He's not a huge lad but luckily the Eels haven't unleashed John Folau just yet and Gutherson should impress ... unless he and Peta Hiku swap as Hiku has been named on the wing but has played plenty of centre.
Verdict - Manly <12. The Eels have a crazy forward pack but sleep on Manly at your peril, they'll grind it out and get the nod.
Knights vs Warriors
Match Up - Adam Clydsdale vs Thomas Leuluai. Both teams have big, hard working forward packs but these two will need to have their running boots on early. They have some back up off the bench but in the opening stages it will be interesting to see who has the most impact scooting out of dummy half.
Key Men - Sam Tomkins ... but he might not play so I'm going with Shaun Johnson. Just kick long, find open pastures, get repeat sets and give your weapons the ball.
Keep An Eye On - Forward packs, they are both very solid packs and it'll be very interesting to see who gets the upper hand. There's plenty of talent out wide, but the game will be won up the guts.
Verdict - Warriors <12. I like the punch, the power and a touch of pizzazz while the Knights look rugged and rough but lack the fear factor.
Titans vs West Tigers
Match Up - James Roberts/Josh Hoffman vs Tim Simona/Chris Lawrence. Get these lads the ball, get it to them early and watch them go at it.
Key Men - Luke Brooks has crept under the radar somewhat leading in to this season but the Tigers' hopes rest on his shoulders. Watch out for a left foot step and perfectly executed kicks and passes.
Keep An Eye On - Ryan James has been named on the edge for the Titans after playing most of his NRL career at prop. He's a big unit and could bring the ruckus out wider.
Verdict - Tigers >12. The Titans will be much better than people expect but I think the Tigers just have too many attacking options to be stopped.
Cowboys vs Roosters
Match Up - Big boys. No need to mention names here as both teams have a bunch of top tier forwards who love to rip in. They also have halves who want front foot ball and will be relying on their big boppers to do the job.
Key Men - Blake Ferguson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Fergy Ferg is in the centres and he'll be keen to have an impact as early as possible while RTS will have all eyes on him.
Keep An Eye On - Mathew Wright spent the end of last season suspended and gets a run in the centres for the Cows while kiwi hooker Matt McIlwrick gets the start for the Roosters with no Jake Friend.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. Bit of a toss up this one but if the Cowboys can step up on defence, I expect Jonathan Thurston to run the show.
Panthers vs Bulldogs
Match Up - James Segeyaro vs Michael Lichaa. Two of the best younger hookers in the league who both love to run but are also very classy distributors.
Key Men - Panthers little big men - Elijah Taylor, Sika Manu, Lewis Brown will be up against a group of Bulldogs pack who are all excessively big. We saw that the Panthers don't mind that though last season and they can be equally effective with quick feet.
Keep An Eye On - Sam Kasiano gave us a little teaser of what he's capable of last season before getting injured and I'm eager to see him in action again. He can play out wide, he can be a battering ram and he has way more skill than you expect.
Verdict - Bulldogs <12. Their forward pack is at full strength and their back line looks better than last year, watch out.
Sharks vs Raiders
Match Up - Paul Gallen vs Shaun Fensom. Two of the best locks in the game who go about their business differently. Fensom's just a work horse while Gallen is the polished lock who is a work horse but offers plenty on attack with off loads etc.
Key Men - Mitch Cornish has been given the job of leading the Raiders with the #7 on his back and needs to impress for the Raiders to have a sniff. I imagine Ricky Stuart will keep it simple with Cornish so if he can kick well and distribute efficiently, job done.
Keep An Eye On - Raiders in general, on paper they look a lot better than you thought they would. They've got some punch in their forwards and enough talent out wide to make you slightly excited but the NRL isn't an easy competition and we'll get our first glimpse at how their year might look.
Verdict - Raiders >12. Upset here, the Sharks still look a bit short on some impact in the forwards and centres. It won't be easy for the Raiders but if they show up and do their jobs they'll have a chance.
Storm vs Dragons
Match Up - Josh Dugan vs Billy Slater. Two of the better fullbacks who have had very strong off seasons. While they'll be dangerous on attack, both teams have good halves who will look to find open pastures with their kicking games but these two fullbacks will make good long kicks look shit.
Key Men - Blake Green, haven't heard much about him but he'll play alongside Cooper Cronk in the halves and will need to not only support him but step up and execute when required.
Keep An Eye On - Storm playing style. Each year Craig Bellamy has to adjust thanks to his playing personnel and this year he's got a great group to work with. The opportunity to expand on the big three is there and I expect Bellamy to throw a few new schemes up against the Dragons.
Verdict - Storm >12. I'm all in on the Storm at the moment.