It was the best of NRL Round 1 and the very blurst of the NRL Round 1, and who is best qualified to sort the lamb from the mutton? We are of course, and our weekly review is here for the very of you that are interested.
We have our highly debatable NRL Round 1 Team of the Week, point out the things that made us love Rugby League this weekend, some things that gave us the irits, some Supercoach lessons, plus award the Minto Magic for NRL Round 1.
Way too much information? Never fear, we won’t go into too much details. We’ve watched all the games so you didn’t have to. Feel free to use our review as the dot point plan for those workplace discussions over the coming week.
Sit back and nibble on the Nobby’s that is our Best of NRL Round 1 review.
NRL ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Who were the star performers this weekend, worthy of a spot in our Team of Week
PEACHES OF THE WEEK
As good as our Team of the Week is, some were just a little better and deserve more Player of the Year points. So here are our top 5 players for the weekend.
5 – Cameron Munster
4 – Viliame Kikau
3 – Shaun Johnson
2 – Jason Taumalolo
1 – Kalyn Ponga
TEAM OF THE YEAR – THE MARVELLOUS MAVIN MEDAL
We will keep score and unveil the leaderboard from Round 6 onwards. Talk about sizzle…..
Each Player in the Team of the Week gets a point, and the Top 5 Peaches gets 5,4,3,2,1 bonus points.
Stay tuned for more.
MINTO MAGIC – Unsung Hero / Battler of the Week
Is there anyone more unsung than Scott “Remember Me” Minto. Who better who name our unsung hero/battler of the week performance.
Slade Griffin. Was in the position in rugby league with zero hope of promotion – back up hooker to Cameron Smith. Moved to Newcastle and offered plenty.
THINGS FROM NRL Round 1
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS OF THE WEEK
Just a few of our favourite things….unlike whiskers on kittens.
Rugby League is back, and there’s barely enough time to watch it all.
Unpredictability of Round 1. Tigers and Warriors were no hope on paper, with only the most loyal of fans believing in victory.
Roosters losing means that they may not be as world beating as we think. Although Melbourne certainly do.
Decent crowd in Perth, perhaps time for a Perth Pirates NRL side?
Newcastle winning and the various feel good stories from that.
Imagining just how angry Ricky Stuart would be after the Raiders somehow lost.
GAME OF THE WEEK
NZ Warriors v South Sydney
Although not a great one for Souths fans, and not very close, there was loads of attacking rugby league, and a surprise winner in a fancy new stadium.
DROSS OF THE WEEK
It wasn’t all good last weekend, here’s the list of the blurst of the NRL Round 1.
The lame KFC Decision Pending Graphic.
Broncos, were quite poor and will be scratching around the Queensland Cup for a half soon enough. We suggest Guy Hamilton from Souths Logan, Shaun Nona from Wynnum or Cameron Cullen from Redcliffe.
The late hit on Paul Vaughan – perhaps it is time to do something about foul play that goes on report. Team lose an interchange per reportable offence, and if already made 10, lose one next match.
MEH OF THE WEEK
As good as the Perth Stadium was, the dimming of the lights and colourful LEDS for tries is pure garnish.
Jarryd Hayne and the Parra second half decline.
Adam Reynolds consistently wasting fifth tackle options with a bomb. Great occasionally, but Inglis and Gagai on either side of the field….
A FEW OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST FROM NRL ROUND 1
Ben Hunt suddenly doesn’t look too overpriced at the Dragons, and the Widdop-Hunt partnership has potential of plenty.
Jason Nightingale post try head slam looked as ugly as it gets.
Mitchell Pearce is a great NRL match winner. And could he be playing himself into a Blues jersey again. Queenslanders start rubbing their hands. But good luck to him nailing the winning field goal for his new team.
Early signs are good for the Cowboys, but is still amazes how Sharks stay in games despite looking second best.
Great to see another graduate from the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2017 going well, as Benji Marshall is the man for Tigers. Late conversion wasn’t too bad either.
Thankfully with George growing his hair, it is now much easier to tell the Burgess twins apart.
Souths efforts during the NZ Sin Bin period just about sums up the last few seasons for Rabbitohs.
More to come from Melbourne and the Bulldogs, and probably from Sam Kasiano who has the Storm to thank for his great new look and the potential of trophies.
There’s nothing wrong with Penrith based ion their second half. Two teams defying pre season expectations in Round 1.
Ashley Taylor proving the ultimate in seller’s remorse for the Broncos.
MINTO MAGIC – Unsung Hero / Battler of the Week
Is there anyone more unsung than Scott “Remember Me” Minto. Who better who name our unsung hero/battler of the week performance.
Slade Griffin. Was in the position in rugby league with zero hope of promotion – back up hooker to Cameron Smith. Moved to Newcastle and offered plenty.
A LESSON IN SUPERCOACH FROM NRL ROUND 1
What did we learn from Supercoach this weekend, and will we learn from it?
- Should have taken Kalyn Ponga
- If there are players of equal value and potential, take the one you want to watch.
- Shaun Johnson is great.
- Harder to find too many cheapies in 2018, yet.
