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.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Grade: C
Record: 6 wins, 6 losses, +27 points differential
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have been undoubtedly one of the first half of 2022s great disappointments.
Making the grand final in 2021, there were always question marks about just how the Rabbitohs would perform in the new year.
That came on the back of the departures of Adam Reynolds, Dane Gagai, Benji Marshall and Jaydn Su’a, as well as coach Wayne Bennett, who is currently in the process of setting up the Dolphins ahead of their inaugural season in 2023.
The Rabbitohs have been worse than maybe even the most pessimistic would have imagined though. Their once feared left edge has been a shell of its former self, their attack quiet and weakly surrendering, and their defence not at all up to scratch.
The form drop off from Cody Walker has been one of the competition’s great mysteries this season, and while both Damien Cook and Cameron Murray are still producing at a similar level as they did last year, the simple face remains that South Sydney would have been expecting to sit a lot higher than eighth spot on the table halfway through the season.
This is a team who should still have the talent to make the finals, but at this stage, the jury is still, well and truly, out on Jason Demetriou, who will be hanging out for the return from injury of Latrell Mitchell.
Best player: Cameron Murray
Best win: Round 3, vs Sydney Roosters, 28-16
Worst loss: Round 11, vs Canberra Raiders, 32-12
