Some details and thoughts on the opening Rd of the 2002 NRL competition.
Game One) South Sydney v Sydney Roosters
The return of Souths. Seemingly dead and buried, the legendary club won their way back into the comp thru the court and will be pumped for opening night, with the crowd packed with Green and Red fans. That alone will make Souths a very dangerous dog both ATS and SU.
They have a solid looking pack, featuring Adam Muir, Luke Stuart, Glen Grief and Andrew Hart along with wily hooker Jason Death. Their backline lacks flair and quality though and is a risky proposition with the flaky Owen Craigie pulling the strings.
The Roosters will have Freddie Fittler to themselves this season after retiring from international footie and are looking to revitalise the career of former Raiders fullback Brett Mullins. Classy centre Ryan Cross returns after missing almost all of last year with a broken leg and will be partnered by promising Wayne Bennett-castoff Justin Hodges. Plenty of pace but a question mark remains over their front row.
Game Two) Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Wests are battling for favouritism for the wooden spoon. Hard to argue with that assessment. They have a blue collar pack, a temperamental centre pairing and a distinct lack of playmakers.
The Doggies surprised most last year by finishing second to the Eels in the regular season. They are tough as nails up front thanks to the likes of Steve Price, Steve Reardon and Darren Smith, have the pace - Luke Patten, Nigel Vagana and Hazem El Masri - to be a long range threat and have a player with the potential to be as good as anyone in the history of the game at standoff in Braith Anasta.
Game Three) Northern Eagles v Newcastle
Little is expected of the Eagles this season; something which is meant to drive them on. They could be a hard side to follow though - Nik Kosef, David Westley, Nathan Long and Steve Menzies will make things interesting in the forwards while much will be expected from Jason Ferris from the Sharks in taking over from the unhappy Brett Kimmorley. The Eagles were good value, strangely enough, as road dogs last year.
The Knights may still be getting over the shock of rolling the Eels in last year's Grand Final. Their pre-season form has been poor while their have been injury worries. But all the ammunition is there for another big year - massive backline ammunition in Tahu, McDougall and Gidley served by the master in Andrew Johns and the revelation of last year, hooker Danny Buderus. Can their pack stand up to being champions in 2002?
Game Four) Nth Qld Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
Don't write off the Cowboys as easybeats too quickly. Sure, they won't set the world on fire as usual but they have the makings of a dangerous outfit at times. Tim Brasher is back after nearly 2 years out injured, Matt Sing will star at centre while John Doyle and Nathan Fien can be a crafty combination and Nos 6 and 7. Glenn Morrison is a major talent and lots will be asked of John Buttigieg as the rest of the pack look a trifle outmatched.
Game Five) Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Two teams unlikely to feature at the business end. The Storm have gone backwards in recent yearsmand lack spark but should be better value at home back at Olympic Park rather than at Colonial Stadium.
The Raiders are young and raw and could struggle up front. But Brett Finch and Mark McLinden will need to be closely watched. Michael Robertson has real potential and Clinton Schifcofske is an under-rated fullback.
Game Six) Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
How did the Eels let it slip last year? It's the question they would have asked themselves all post-season after the most dominant team stats-wise in the history of the comp got blitzed in the first half of the final and woke from their nightmare too late. While the NRL's top points-scorer Jason Taylor has retired, the Eels seem to have got even stronger with the acquisition of Adam Dykes from the Sharks and Andrew McFadden from the Raiders. With their powerful and pacy young forward pack a year older and wiser, they loom as a scary proposition. Funnily enough, they were good betting value last year as no spread seemed to tough for them to conquer - don't expect the books to give us that much leniency this year.
The Panthers have John Lang in charge and could be useful dogs early this year. Luke Priddis, Ben Roarty and Martin Lang will bolster the pack while Craig Gower and Ryan Girdler could be a devastating scrumhalf/standoff pair now that a fully fit Gower has swapped jerseys from 9 to 7. Luke Lewis and Luke Rooney are wingers with potential.
Game Seven) St George Illawarra Dragons v Sharks
Two good teams that may be short of greatness. Try-scoring machine Nathan Blacklock and silky centre Mark Gasnier will get outstanding service from the abundantly gifted Trent Barrett as long as Jason Ryles, Lance Thompson and Jason Hooper keep the Dragons going forward.
The Sharks have Chris Anderson in charge after the Kangaroos coach left the Storm and he has got the services of Kimmorley at halfback; moving last season's sensation Preston Campbell to hooker. Matthew Johns returns to Aus to play standoff and feed Colin Best, David Peachey and Chris McKenna but depth up front may be a problem.
Hope this puts everyone in the picture - I'm looking forward to the season's punting.
The extra good news is that I'm covering the New Zealand Warriors - who have the bye first-up - for the paper this year. Hopefully that will notably increase the sources and accuracy of info and analysis throughout the season.
All the best
Anders
Game One) South Sydney v Sydney Roosters
The return of Souths. Seemingly dead and buried, the legendary club won their way back into the comp thru the court and will be pumped for opening night, with the crowd packed with Green and Red fans. That alone will make Souths a very dangerous dog both ATS and SU.
They have a solid looking pack, featuring Adam Muir, Luke Stuart, Glen Grief and Andrew Hart along with wily hooker Jason Death. Their backline lacks flair and quality though and is a risky proposition with the flaky Owen Craigie pulling the strings.
The Roosters will have Freddie Fittler to themselves this season after retiring from international footie and are looking to revitalise the career of former Raiders fullback Brett Mullins. Classy centre Ryan Cross returns after missing almost all of last year with a broken leg and will be partnered by promising Wayne Bennett-castoff Justin Hodges. Plenty of pace but a question mark remains over their front row.
Game Two) Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Wests are battling for favouritism for the wooden spoon. Hard to argue with that assessment. They have a blue collar pack, a temperamental centre pairing and a distinct lack of playmakers.
The Doggies surprised most last year by finishing second to the Eels in the regular season. They are tough as nails up front thanks to the likes of Steve Price, Steve Reardon and Darren Smith, have the pace - Luke Patten, Nigel Vagana and Hazem El Masri - to be a long range threat and have a player with the potential to be as good as anyone in the history of the game at standoff in Braith Anasta.
Game Three) Northern Eagles v Newcastle
Little is expected of the Eagles this season; something which is meant to drive them on. They could be a hard side to follow though - Nik Kosef, David Westley, Nathan Long and Steve Menzies will make things interesting in the forwards while much will be expected from Jason Ferris from the Sharks in taking over from the unhappy Brett Kimmorley. The Eagles were good value, strangely enough, as road dogs last year.
The Knights may still be getting over the shock of rolling the Eels in last year's Grand Final. Their pre-season form has been poor while their have been injury worries. But all the ammunition is there for another big year - massive backline ammunition in Tahu, McDougall and Gidley served by the master in Andrew Johns and the revelation of last year, hooker Danny Buderus. Can their pack stand up to being champions in 2002?
Game Four) Nth Qld Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
Don't write off the Cowboys as easybeats too quickly. Sure, they won't set the world on fire as usual but they have the makings of a dangerous outfit at times. Tim Brasher is back after nearly 2 years out injured, Matt Sing will star at centre while John Doyle and Nathan Fien can be a crafty combination and Nos 6 and 7. Glenn Morrison is a major talent and lots will be asked of John Buttigieg as the rest of the pack look a trifle outmatched.
Game Five) Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Two teams unlikely to feature at the business end. The Storm have gone backwards in recent yearsmand lack spark but should be better value at home back at Olympic Park rather than at Colonial Stadium.
The Raiders are young and raw and could struggle up front. But Brett Finch and Mark McLinden will need to be closely watched. Michael Robertson has real potential and Clinton Schifcofske is an under-rated fullback.
Game Six) Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
How did the Eels let it slip last year? It's the question they would have asked themselves all post-season after the most dominant team stats-wise in the history of the comp got blitzed in the first half of the final and woke from their nightmare too late. While the NRL's top points-scorer Jason Taylor has retired, the Eels seem to have got even stronger with the acquisition of Adam Dykes from the Sharks and Andrew McFadden from the Raiders. With their powerful and pacy young forward pack a year older and wiser, they loom as a scary proposition. Funnily enough, they were good betting value last year as no spread seemed to tough for them to conquer - don't expect the books to give us that much leniency this year.
The Panthers have John Lang in charge and could be useful dogs early this year. Luke Priddis, Ben Roarty and Martin Lang will bolster the pack while Craig Gower and Ryan Girdler could be a devastating scrumhalf/standoff pair now that a fully fit Gower has swapped jerseys from 9 to 7. Luke Lewis and Luke Rooney are wingers with potential.
Game Seven) St George Illawarra Dragons v Sharks
Two good teams that may be short of greatness. Try-scoring machine Nathan Blacklock and silky centre Mark Gasnier will get outstanding service from the abundantly gifted Trent Barrett as long as Jason Ryles, Lance Thompson and Jason Hooper keep the Dragons going forward.
The Sharks have Chris Anderson in charge after the Kangaroos coach left the Storm and he has got the services of Kimmorley at halfback; moving last season's sensation Preston Campbell to hooker. Matthew Johns returns to Aus to play standoff and feed Colin Best, David Peachey and Chris McKenna but depth up front may be a problem.
Hope this puts everyone in the picture - I'm looking forward to the season's punting.
The extra good news is that I'm covering the New Zealand Warriors - who have the bye first-up - for the paper this year. Hopefully that will notably increase the sources and accuracy of info and analysis throughout the season.
All the best
Anders
