Round 1 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium, Thursday 5 March 2015
Kick-Off 7:05pm

1. Jordan Kahu 2. Dale Copley 3. Jack Reed 4. Justin Hodges (c) 5. Lachlan Maranta 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker
14. Mitchell Dodds 15. James Gavet 16. Matt Gillett 17. Aaron Whitchurch 18. Kodi Nikorima

1. Greg Inglis (c) 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Joel Reddy 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. Dave Tyrrell 11. Glenn Stewart 12. John Sutton 13. Ben Lowe
14. Chris Grevsmuhl 15. Jason Clark 16. Chris McQueen 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Tim Grant 19. Cameron McInness 20. Daryl Millard

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Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles
Pirtek Stadium, Friday 6 March 2015
Kick-Off 6:45pm

1. Will Hopoate 2. Semi Radradra 3. Beau Champion 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Reece Robinson 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah (c) 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
14. Isaac De Gois 15. Joseph Paulo 16. Junior Paulo 17. David Gower 18. Danny Wicks 19. Pauli Pauli

1. Brett Stewart 2. Cheyse Blair 3. Jamie Lyon (c) 4. Clinton Gutheron 5. Peta Hiku 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Willie Mason 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brenton Lawrence 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Tom Symonds 13. Dunamis Lui
14. Jesse Sene-Lafeo 15. Blake Leary 16. James Hasson 17. Luke Burgess 18. Justin Horo

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Newcastle Knights vs Warriors
Hunter Stadium, Saturday 7 March 2015
Kick-Off 3:30pm

1. Kurt Gidley (c) 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joey Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Beau Scott 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith
14. Tyler Randell 15. Chris Houston 16. David Fa'alogo 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Sione Mata'utia

1. Sam Tomkins 2. Tuimoala Lolohea 3. Konrad Hurrell 4. Solomone Kata 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Thomas Leuluai 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
14. Nathan Friend 15. Ben Henry 16. Sam Lisone 17. Albert Vete 18. Suaia Matagi

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Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers
Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday 7 March 2015
Kick-Off 6:00pm

1. William Zillman 2. David Mead 3. James Roberts 4. Josh Hoffman 5. Kevin Gordon 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Daniel Mortimer 8. Luke Douglas 9. Kierran Moseley 10. Edward Pettybourne 11. Ryan James 12. Matt Robinson 13. Nate Myles (c)
14. Mark Ioane 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Matt Srama 17. Ryan Simpkins

1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Tim Simona 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah (c) 10. Keith Galloway 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Suaso Sue 13. Dene Halatau
14. Ava Semanufagai 15. Martin Taupau 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Brendan Santi 18. Kyle Lovett

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters
1300 Smiles Stadium, Saturday 7 March 2015
Kick-Off 8:00pm

1. Michael Morgan 2. Justin O'Neil 3. Matthew Wright 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Johnathan Thurston (c) 7. Robert Lui 8. Matthew Scott (c) 9. Rory Kostjasyn 10. Ben Hannant 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Jake Granville 15. Glenn Hall 16. Scott Bolton 17. James Tamou 18. Kelepi Tanginoa 19. Ray Thompson

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce (c) 8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves 9. Matt McIllwrick 10. Sam Moa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu
14. Mitchell Aubusson 15. Dylan Napa 16. Kane Evans 17. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 18. Matin Kennedy 19. Nene McDonald

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Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sportingbet Stadium, Sunday 8 March 2015
Kick-Off 3:00pm

1. Matt Moylan 2. George Jennings 3. Dean Whare 4. Jamal Idris 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace (c) 8. Sam McKendry 9. James Segeyaro 10. Brent Kite 11. Sika Manu 12. Lewis Brown 13. Elijah Taylor
14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Isaah Yeo 19. Apisai Koroisau

1. Brett Morris 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Tim Lafai 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham (c) 11. Josh Jackson 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood
14. Sam Kasiano 15. David Klemmer 16. Frank Pritchard 17. Tim Browne 18. Moses Mybe

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Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders
Remondis Stadium, Sunday 8 March 2015
Kick-Off 5:30pm

1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Gerard Beale 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Mitch Brown 6. Ben Barba 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Matt Prior 11. Jayson Bukuya 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (c)
14. Chris Heighinton 15. Tinirau Arona 16. Anthony Tupou 17. David Fifita 18. Valentine Holmes 19. Jack Bird

1. Jack Wighton 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Edrick Lee 5. Jordan Ropana 6. Blake Austin 7. Mitch Cornish 8. David Shillington 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dane Tilse 11. Josh Papalii 12. Sia Soliola 13. Shaun Fensom
14. Josh McCrone 15. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Shannon Boyd

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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm
Jubilee Oval, Monday 9 March 2015
Kick-Off 6:00pm

1. Josh Dugan 2. Eto Nabuli 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Dylan Farrell 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. George Rose 11. Tyson Frizzell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Ben Creagh (c)
14. Rory O'Brien 15. Trent Merrin 16. Mike Cooper 17. Jack de Belin 18. Jake Marketo 19. Heath Le'strange

1. Billy Slater 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Tim Glasby 16. Dayne Weston 17. Felise Kaufusi

 

[Broncoman]

My eye's lit up when I saw this thread so happy the footy is back.

When do the teams get announced?

 

[Kimlo]

My eye's lit up when I saw this thread so happy the footy is back.

When do the teams get announced?

Tuesday 5PM I believe.

 

[ningnangnong]

Yep, all announced at the same time this year - makes sense.

 

[Big Pete]

Yep, all teams will be simultaneously announced at that time so keep your eyes peeled.

I doubt there will be too many surprises heading into Round 1. Members should already have an idea on the week ahead.

Here's my thoughts so far...

Broncos/Bunnies - Two teams at different points of their run. Souths have been there, done that and they're looking to go again. They're going to be very tough to stop first up and I don't think the Broncos will be able to do it. They're still a work in progress and I doubt we'll see what they're capable of until a few months in. Still, I doubt they'll be embarrassed and they'll push the Rabbits all the way, with Souths recording a well earned 8 point victory first up.

Eels/Sea Eagles - A lot has happened in the past week and what was once looking to be a pretty comfortable win to Manly may end up becoming a beginning of an era. With news that Foran and DCE are looking to leave, Watmough gone and others not too far away from retirement, the wheels maybe coming off. Maybe...but everytime I feel this way about Manly, they find a way to go against the flow and somehow finish on top. I suspect their 2015 will be all over the shop but I'm onto them screwing up my tips and will go against my gut here. Manly by 4 in a close game.

Knights/Warriors - I have both teams challenging for a place in the 8 but think the Knights will open their season with a win. It'll largely come down to the Warriors being slow starters and bad travelers but could see a media push for it being a reflection of Bennett.

Titans/Tigers - This match is going to stink. Titans will show some heart and keep it close but simply lack the cohesion in attack to make anything of it. Wests have the talent to be something and will score the odd big win here and there but lack the grunt to really be consistent...they'll win but it won't be pretty.

Cowboys/Roosters - I find both these teams frustrating because they have great line-ups on paper but I don't think they'll ever perform to potential. Both will be there in September, but I don't think this game will demonstrate why and I think the Cows will win a scratchy game that I'll struggle to get through.

Panthers/Bulldogs - Really looking forward to this game as a neutral, not because it's going to be the best spectacle (I think that will be Brisbane v Souths) but because it will be the highest quality game of the round. Two really well drilled teams going at it and not giving an inch early in the season. Should be good but I think the Panthers are in for a rude shock early and will go down to the Dogs who have a point to prove after the 2014 Grand Final.

Sharks/Raiders - Sharks have really grown leaps and bounds this off-season, to the point where most are tipping them for the 8. Strong pack, solid backline and an X-factor player like Barba who I can see having his share of good games in 2015 has me tipping them over the Raiders who I suspect will be one of the easy beats early before coming into their own later in the year to give their fans something to look forward to in 2016.

Dragons/Storm - Is up there with the Eels/Sea Eagles game as the toughest game to pick. On paper, I expect Melbourne to finish higher but without Smith they're going to be vulnerable early & the Dragons look pretty good early. I'm going to tip them as my upset for Round 1.

TL;DR

Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Knights
Tigers
Cowboys
Bulldogs
Sharks
Dragons

 

[BroncosAlways]

My tips are

Broncos - no reason needed
Sea Eagles - too strong regardless of the current crap surrounding their halves
Warriors- Johnson and Co to wreak havoc on the knights and make me look amazing for drafting Solomone Kata in SVRL before anyone else.
Titans- tipping the upset, because every round needs one. Roberts to get a double
Roosters- I think Pearce will carry his form from the nines into this and now they won't need to rely on SBW
Bulldogs- Hard to pick for me, toss of the coin. Also G Jennings to score a hat trick and be a deserved 30th draft pick.
Sharks- as Big Pete said the sharks look to have the squad to finally compete with other teams and I think will start off with a bang
Storm- even without Smith I reckon Cronk will dominate the game with his kicking and the dragons forwards will be found out pretty quickly.

Then again I'm a hopeless tipper so don't take my word for it

 

[Rally Towel]

I've got:

Souths getting up against us. Suspect we will give a good account of ourselves, and keep it close, though I wouldn't be surprised to see them run in a couple of late tries to push the margin out.

Manly to win against Eels. Just can't ever count them out, and the Eels may take some time to regather their mojo following Hayne' defection. Manly look light up front but class on the backline to be the difference.

Knights to win at home. I think the Warriors may well find a measure of consistency this year, but they are notorious slow starters and a different animal on the road.

Tigers should easily account for Titans, given recent events. I don't think this will even be close.

Cowboys to win over the Roosters. Playing at home, and JT with a clean bill of health. Wouldn't be surprised if they end up putting the hurt on big time. Penalty count to be the most lopsided of the round.

Bulldogs and Panthers could go either way but leaning towards Dogs. If that new backline clicks, I expect them to be the team to beat this year. Remains to be seen if their halves have the skills to utilise them though.

Sharks should account for the Raiders. They may have been woeful last year, but they've recruited well, got their coach back and their joke of a penance has been served. Raiders have made some improvements but only the Titans will save them from the spoon.

Storm to best the Dragons. Whether Smith plays or not, they're too well drilled, and still have some outstanding talent to work with.

Mind you, last year round 1 I got 3/8, and it was the highest in my tipping comp. Hard to gauge how teams will adjust to new rules and so forth.

Stoked it's finally upon us! Longest off season ever!

 

[tripleBroncos]

broncos for the win for sure against the bunnies. what a great Thursday night it is going to be

 

[Big Pete]

Attention Fantasy Enthusiasts.

Mole is reporting that the Warriors will be missing Fisiiahi and Laumape, paving the way for NYC stars Lolohea and Kata to play. It should be a fairly high scoring game and both are a good chance of scoring points so if you want some value, there you go.

Also reports that Manly could be missing five players going into their game against Parra. That isn't exactly breaking news but something that I'd completely forgotten about. I believe Lyon and Lawrence will be amongst the missing but we'll get a better idea tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Broncoman]

Predicted Round 1 teams

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...et-to-take-field/story-fn2mcuj6-1227240417485

 

[BroncosAlways]

Damn straight [MENTION=1899]Big Pete[/MENTION] I can't believe no one in Conf A's drafted Kata

 

[Big Pete]

Unfortunately I could only draft so many young up and comers. I'm sure by Wednesday he'll be taken by somebody.

 

[BroncosAlways]

Another hot tip IMO will be G Jennings. Whether its this year or next he will be a star

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah, you've only mentioned it about ten times already. :laugh:

I think he's got a lot of competition to deal with.

 

[BroncosAlways]

Yeah, you've only mentioned it about ten times already. :laugh:

I think he's got a lot of competition to deal with.

I thought I was up to 13... I'm falling behind on my quota

 

[Cult]

I just got a few youngsters in Jack Bird and Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Both look to be getting a run this season

 

[Alec]

Predicted Round 1 teams

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...et-to-take-field/story-fn2mcuj6-1227240417485

They've got an amazing talent of taking terrible photos

 

[Unbreakable]

I called Lachlan Coote at Fullback for the Cowboys last November, thought it was definitely their best option to move Morgan to Five-Eighth, glad they chose to agree with me.