12 rounds are in the books for 2022, and with it comes the halfway point in the campaign, as well as the Origin window.
From the Penrith Panthers running away at the top of the table, to two of last year’s top four becoming two of the season’s biggest disappointments, there has been plenty to keep footy fans on their toes.
Add that to the Queensland teams becoming the competition’s biggest surprise packets, a sacked coach and the Warriors' impending return home whilst still in finals contention, and it has been an excellent first 12 weeks.
So, before things get just a little bit crazy this weekend, with new players, byes and then a Wednesday night game that stops the nation - well, not the nation, but the east coast anyway - it’s time to look back at the opening three months.
Here is how your team has performed during the opening 12 rounds on the Zero Tackle mid-season report card.
Keep in mind that these grades factor in pre-season expectations as much as they do form and results over the first 12 rounds.
Manly Sea Eagles
Grade: D
Record: 5 wins, 7 losses, -97 points differential
Alongside the Rabbitohs, the Sea Eagles have been the other great disappointment through the first half of the 2022 season.
Unlike the Rabbitohs though, the Sea Eagles have no obvious reason for performing the way they have, although many will point to injuries - particularly the one to Tom Trbojevic, who was nowhere near the form level he produced in 2021 even when he was fit.
Manly got their season underway with a couple of horror losses to contenders in the Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters, and things haven’t exactly improved from there for Des Hasler’s side.
While they have managed some wins against lower down sides, a three-loss, four-week period to the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Broncos where they conceded 34, 40 and 38 points suggests this is a team who haven’t worked out the subtle changes in rules this year. That and the fact they were indeed as much of a one-man team as they looked at times last year.
They hit the Origin window having lost five of their last six, and with Daly Cherry-Evans now set to play for Queensland, the men from the Northern Beaches have mountains of work to do if they want to get anywhere near the finals this season.
Best player: Haumole Olakau’atu
Best win: Round 5, vs Newcastle Knights, 30-6
Worst loss: Round 10, vs Brisbane Broncos, 38-0
