Round 2 of the NRL was a bizarre thing to watch. No crowds meant no real atmosphere, but the standard of the footy was actually very good. Players were chancing their arms more and trying different plays as there wasn’t a crowd to boo them if they stuffed it up.
The Cowboys and Bulldogs game score line ended up looking more respectable for the Dogs, but for most of the game the Cowboys had their measure and it was led by the human wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo who also set a new record for meters ran with 345 of them.
The Panthers and Dragons game was an absolute thriller too. The Panthers ran away to a quick lead, but then seemed to hit the snooze button for a period which allowed the Dragons back in to the game and take the lead. The Dragons looked like they were going to go on and chalk up a Win, but Nathan Cleary had different ideas. Cleary showed his talent and showed why Freddy Fittler has him as his Halfback for NSW. Cleary finished the game with 1 Try, 1 Try Assist, 3 tackle breaks, 1 line break and kicked 6 goals. What a Fantasy Super Coaches dream he would have been to have this week. Panthers went on to steal the game late from the Dragons 32-28
The Roosters and Manly game didn’t show too many highlights to get you on your toes, besides a DCE Field Goal late in the game to hand the Sea Eagles the Victory. A funny moment was Cameron Smith lining up to kick a goal and getting sledged by the Sea Eagles bench with an old classic call “Your shoe lace is undone” LOL good effort team.
The Knights again showed that they are a class above the rest this season with another dominant display of attack and defense. The Tigers did push them at times though, but the Knights had too much experience and strike weapons to counter what the Tigers pounced at them with. In a sour note, friend of the Armchair Champions “Mitch Barnett” went off with a serious shoulder injury and are thoughts are with you champ for a speedy recovery. Knights ended up with the biscuits 42-24
Then Radars Eels finished off Sunday with a demolition of the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans did stick with them for a while, but the Mitchell Moses show started and it was good night Irene for the Titans. Hopefully we get to see Moses produce the same against the higher ranked teams too, which we all know he can do. Eels blew out the Titans candles 46-6 and sit at the top of the table. It’s been a while since that’s happened.
A big hats off and congrats to the New Zealand Warriors who have decided to stay in Australia and provide us with a competition. It would have been a tough choice to leave the loved ones at home and stay here, but the whole of the NRL community are grateful for you decision.
