NRL Round Two Preview
Agnatius Paasi is one of the form props in the NRL, not bad for a former fringe first-grader.
Panthers vs Broncos
Match Up: Trent Merrin vs Greg Eastwood. Two locks with great hands but also great feet, they'll dance their way through defenders in the middle.
Key Men: Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku will be called upon as the Panthers look to bypass the Bulldogs' big forward pack. If they're at their best then the Panthers could find a few points and put the Doggies on the back foot.
Keep An Eye On: James Fisher-Harris will face a tough challenge in his second NRL game, in fact it's a huge test for the Panthers forwards and we'll get a nice gauge of where they are at.
Verdict: Panthers <12. Upset, if the Panthers go all in on throwing the footy around and moving the Dogs' forwards from sideline to sideline then they'll have a chance.
Broncos vs Warriors
Match Up: Darius Boyd vs Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Two of the best who are both equally as gifted running the footy as they are passing it.
Key Men: Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino must dominate the middle of the park or at least hold their own against the best forward pack in the game. Lillyman did nothing last week and must step up.
Keep An Eye On: Don't expect Kodi Nikorima to overshadow Issac Luke, Luke will want to fire here.
Verdict: Broncos <12. The Warriors will be much better, but Brisbane in Brisbane?
Raiders vs Roosters
Match Up: Shannon Boyd vs Dylan Napa/Kane Evans. Big, young and angry, this will be fun.
Key Men: Josh Hodgson and Sam Williams simply need to control the game here as their forwards will lay a solid platform and there are weapons outside them. Hodgson must run the footy as well.
Keep An Eye On: Raiders' bench impact. Iosia Soliola, Paul Vaughan and Jeff Lima offer a rugged impact off the bench and will match the Roosters big boys. Plus Lachlan Croker starting in the halves for Canberra.
Verdict: Raiders <12. At home and it's all about the forwards.
Rabbitohs vs Knights
Match Up: Damien Cook vs Danny Levi. Two bench hookers who are just as important to their respective teams as the starting hookers.
Key Man: Jarrod Mullen has an opportunity alongside Trent Hodkinson to play with a fine halfback and in big games like this one, it's Mullen who's got to show that he can add some flair to the Knights attack.
Keep An Eye On: Luke Keary has been the centre of unwanted attention and is now suddenly the starting halfback. Has he signed out? Is he gonna play well in the shop window? Either way, the Rabbits need him at his best.
Verdict: Rabbitohs <12. Too easy through the middle with Sam and George Burgess both named.
Eels vs Cowboys
Match Up: Tepai Moeroa vs Jason Taumalolo. Two beasts meeting in the middle of the field, see you there.
Key Man: Is Kieran Foran really going to add that much to this Eels team? I'm not convinced, but this is our first chance to have a geeze and the Eels won't win without Foran at his best.
Keep An Eye On: Kaysa Pritchard has leap-frogged Isaac de Gois for the bench hooker spot.
Verdict: Cowboys >12. No changes, no dramas, no distractions, just a team who know their game inside out.
Sharks vs Dragons
Match Up: Jack Bird/Ricky Leutele vs Josh Dugan/Tim Lafai. A fine collection of centres will be on display here and it's a great opportunity for the low key Leutele to show he can hang with the big boys.
Key Men: Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall. If the Dragons forwards can provide equality in the forwards/dominate the Sharks then it's up to Widdop and Marshall to add the spice and break down a stingey Sharks defence.
Keep An Eye On: The Sharks look a bit battlerish without Paul Gallen. Siliva Havili was great off the bench for the Dragons last week as well.
Verdict: Dragons <12. No Gallen, no chance.
Storm vs Titans
Match Up: Jesse Bromwich vs Agnatius Paasi. Two of my favourite props in the game going toe to toe.
Key Man: If Billy Slater turns it up, the Titans won't stand a chance. Not only is Slater slippery when running the footy, he's also got options with ball in hand (Chambers, Munster, Koroibete) that can all make their defender look foolish.
Keep An Eye On: Greg Bird was exceptional last week and if he's playing at that level, the Titans won't be too bad this season. He'll be their x-factor but he's also a key leader and the troops will happily follow him.
Verdict: Storm <12. Titans will put up a fight and stay in this one, Storm will be too good.
Wests Tigers vs Sea Eagles
Match Up: Aaron Woods vs Nate Myles. Two great props who don't stand out as being great but stack the numbers up and when they aren't there you notice that hole.
Key Men: James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks. We saw last week that Moses/Tedesco can rip a team apart, I'm eager to see what Moses/Tedeseco/Brooks can do against a Manly side down on confidence.
Keep An Eye On: Early reshuffle with Martin Taupau going to the edge, Jake Trbojevic at lock and Josh Starling joining Myles at prop. I like it and Manly must be far better in the forwards this week.
Verdict: Tigers <12. Manly still have to warm into their work this season and the Tigers are hot.