Unlocking the NRL’s potential
There was a stretch in the game several years ago when I found the NRL hard to watch.
I hate to say it, especially as someone who loves rugby league so much, but I found many matches boring.
Five tackles, kick long, high completions, tackle, keep tackling. Repeat.
The game constantly evolves, and I reckon we’re in a sweet spot right now. I can’t remember enjoying the footy as much as I have over the past few weeks. The entertainment value is as good as it’s been for years.
There were three games last weekend I found absolutely captivating: the Roosters beating the Broncos, Titans-Storm and then the Cowboys-Dolphins clash. They were all fast, with free-flowing attack and plenty of points. The skill and athleticism was off the charts.
I reckon there’s one small factor contributing to this new style – the lock forward is not having as much involvement in playing as a first receiver.
Isaah Yeo has hit a purple patch of form for the Panthers.Credit: Getty Images
I thought Penrith’s Isaah Yeo had his best game in years against Souths last week, and he did most of it by running the ball, rather than marshalling Penrith’s attack at first receiver.
I love the way Victor Radley plays, but I’ve noticed a shift in the Roosters the last couple of weeks while he’s been injured. Sam Walker is reverting to the old-school halfback role of getting his hands on the ball early and playing over the advantage line. Everyone knows what I think about Walker, I would pay serious money to watch him every week.
Even Manly’s Jake Trbojevic has pulled back a little on his ball-playing role. It means our most skilful and creative players are getting their hands on the ball earlier, and I think the game is better for it.
And as usual in the NRL, when one team coughs the rest of the league gets a cold. I reckon this tiny tweak will spread through the competition quickly.
Flapping Sea Eagles could learn from Dolphins
If there’s one player I’ve been watching closely for the last month or so, it’s Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa. Let me tell you, he’s got all the hallmarks of a 250- to 300-game NRL player. What a talent he is.
He serves as a great lesson for any young playmaker in our game. Just watch what he does when he’s got the ball in hand – he’s always running straight towards the defensive line rather than angling sideways. It might sound simple, but it’s not easy to do. You’re risking your body by getting closer to the defensive line, but it just creates so much more space for your outside men when you pass the ball. Kieran Foran might be the only other half who showed the same courage at such a young age by digging into the line.
But it’s not just his attack, being a bigger body, his defence is great. I’m going to enjoy watching him in the NRL for a long time.
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The Dolphins have been so good, even without all their injured guns – Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Gilbert – and they’ll give the Sea Eagles a serious run for their money on Thursday night.
Wayne Bennett teams don’t beat themselves. They hang in there when the opposition has got momentum, and when they’re in control they increase the tempo and take advantage. We saw it against the Cowboys last week, and probably the best demonstration was when they hammered the Eels in Darwin last month with a flurry of second-half points.
I’ve also been really impressed with fullback Trai Fuller, who is a great example of persistence. It doesn’t matter how small you are, just like Preston Campbell, if you’re tough, fast and agile enough, you can make it at the top level.
The Sea Eagles have been flat in the last few weeks. They’re not machines, so naturally you will have such periods throughout a season.
I thought they struggled to get past the out-of-form Eels a fortnight ago and butchered their game against the Raiders after surging to a 20-point lead. Stating the obvious, they’re really missing Haumole Olakau’atu on that right edge alongside Daly Cherry-Evans.
Manly probably need to take a leaf out of the Dolphins’ style and get back to a few basics. The battle between Katoa and Cherry-Evans will be a beauty, but watch for Max Plath, a chip off the old block, to really take it to Jake Trbojevic.
Joey’s tip: Sea Eagles by 6
First try-scorer: Tolu Koula
Man of the match: Daly Cherry-Evans
