NRL Notepad: Round 5
From now through to October, I’ll look back at my notes from the prior round and highlight an area of each team to keep a close eye on…
From now through to October, I’ll look back at my notes from the prior round and highlight an area of each team to keep a close eye on from your couch.
The footy is flowing and fans are getting ready to swarm open stadiums.
It’s all coming up Milhouse in the NRL.
A few lucky punters will sneak into corporate facilities over the weekend, but for the rest of us, we will settle for another round on the couch with a notepad.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles ended up just one pass short of victory last week. The Eels, finally tested by a decent opposition, played about as well as they could have for the first 60 minutes. Still, the Sea Eagles kept it close.
While a handy moral victory, it’s nothing more than a frustrating loss if the Sea Eagles can’t back it up with a convincing performance on Thursday night.
We’re not asking for much. Although, asking the Tigers to beat the Titans last week was…Just get the job done, Manly. Prove you have the premiership credentials by beating a team that shouldn’t be in the contest after 30 minutes.
Broncos
The notes from previous rounds mean next to nothing this week. The Broncos are sending out a totally different 17. Joe Ofahengaue in the backrow is a strange decision but interesting to keep an eye on nonetheless. It’s Corey Oates on the other edge that will really attract my eye, though. He’s talked about wanting to move into the backrow and, for better or worse, gets his chance this week.
Oates has spent four games on the edge before (in 2014) and he can certainly hit a line at pace.
He won’t have any problems hitting the line at pace and breaking tackles. His potential to turn shoulders as a lead-runner could work wonders, too. How he goes with the fairly unfamiliar lateral movement in defence might be a different story.
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys
Warriors
I can’t believe we’re asking this again…
“Please, Stephen Kearney.
Play Tohu Harris at lock on Friday night.”
Kearney fell into the right lineup of Adam Blair at prop and Harris at lock, but that has all changed with the return of Lachlan Burr — on the team list, anyway. Hopefully, it changes again an hour before kickoff.
If it doesn’t, then seeing how Adam Blair plays is of interest. Much-maligned for the lack of counting stats he produces on the edge, Blair has averaged 106.5 running metres in his two games at prop this season. His career-high in running metres is 95.37 per game throughout the 2015 season with the Broncos. Blair has some ball skills, and while he’s only thrown one offload this season, is a passing threat at the line and keeps help defenders from closing in.
Prop is Blair’s best position at this stage in his career. Stick him there, Mooks.
Cowboys
Jake Granville: Out
Reece Robson: In
It’s been coming for a little while now. Scoring a double in Round 3 more than likely sped up the process. But Reece Robson now as the chance to make the number nine jersey his own this week. As OscarPannifex mentioned already, “Robson’s elevation to starting hooker could be the final step towards an exciting new era for Cowboys fans.”
“Heads In!” Round 5
Unpacking the scrum each week in the NRLmedium.com
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
Eels
The Eels have been playing so well that it’s easy to forget that Nathan Brown has been sitting on the sidelines.
He’s typically a big-minute forward that slogs it out through the middle. Brown’s big minutes have often been out of necessity, however, Marata Niukore’s form in Browns’ absence may change Brad Arthur’s approach. The pair can work more in partnership than they have before; shorter shifts at a higher intensity. They’re a duo that can ensure the Eels receive 80 minutes of production on both sides of the ball.
If Brown can stay healthy and out of trouble with the judiciary, this pairing has real potential.
Panthers
Matt Burton is Nathan Cleary’s long-term partner in the halves.
We know it.
Ivan Cleary probably knows it, too.
But, Cleary is going through the process. Burton is coming off the bench this week while Jarome Luai occupies the five-eighth spot. Luai hasn’t offered a lot in Cleary’s absence and has never quite lived up to the lofty expectations thrust upon him when making his debut.
We’ve seen glimpses. Luai looks like a genuine first-grade five-eighth when running the football. It’s not happening often enough at the moment, though.
Burton, on the other hand, appears comfortable. He’s not afraid to take on the line and has barely faltered in his three games so far.
Cleary will go through the motions of getting Burton into the 13, but the young fulla can move things along with another strong performance off the bench in this one.
Check back for Saturday and Sunday’s notes later in the week.