The big questions facing EVERY club ahead of Round 3

Two down, 23 to go. The second round of the 2021 NRL season didn't just provide us with our second set of winners and losers, it raised yet another series of questions. With each of the league's 16 teams set to do battle again this weekend, we attempted to answer the major issues facing their playing lists and coaches alike. Brisbane Broncos What were the positives? After a first half of promise and a second stanza of despair against the Eels in Round 1, the beleaguered Broncos were back to their old tricks against the Titans on Friday. Although after 80-minutes the scoreboard had Kevin Walters' inaugural season as the club's head coach at 0-2, for a team that found rock bottom last season, it is important to locate, and focus, on the positives. Despite allowing the Gold Coast to own the first half, and the early stages of the second, Walters' side were able to finish the game with strength by bagging a pair of tries in the final 10 minutes. This may seem like scant consolation, but with a proven ability to both start and finish games well, it will be on Kevvie's stable to combine the two against fellow strugglers Canterbury on Saturday evening. Can they? Sure. Will they? Who knows. [caption id="attachment_102011" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Coach Kevin Walters directs his players during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at Clive Berghofer Field on March 09, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Canberra Raiders How in-depth will Ricky's review be? The old adage goes that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but with Cronulla locating and penetrating Canberra's cracks on Sunday evening, will Ricky Stuart be content to just leave well enough alone? Having come to understand ‘Sticky's' firey personality, one would think not. Although the Raiders were good enough to claim the two-points at Kogarah, the Sharks bested the Canberrans in metres gained, set distance and kick return metres. Cronulla's receipts, offloads and tackles made also surpassed those of the Green Machine. Perhaps the most glaring statistic for Stuart was his side's ill-discipline that saw the Sharks gifted five penalties. Stuart would also have been seething on his standard stick of chewing gum when his side let slip at 12-0 half-time lead to narrowly avoid a golden point decider eight minutes from time. Although the two points are still Stuart's, had Chad Townsend packed his kicking boots, these aforementioned cracks would have required plaster rather than paper to seal. [caption id="attachment_80142" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Raiders fans celebrate after winning the NRL Semi Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 09, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Are the alarm bells ringing just yet? After posting just 16-points in 160-minutes of footy, if they aren't then they probably should be. If they weren't when Trent Barrett's men trudged off a sodden Bankwest Stadium on Saturday after posting a goose egg, then we aren't sure if they have been reinstalled after last season. So far in 2021, the Bulldogs – a side desperately lucky not to finish the previous year with another spoon for their kitchen draw – have averaged just eight points for and 30-points against, they may not be as fortunate the second time around. Set to face fellow strugglers Brisbane on Saturday evening, if Barrett's boys can't buck this trend then 2021 may be a write off already, even after brining in so many new names. [caption id="attachment_102005" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Nick Cotric of the Bulldogs is tackled during the NRL Trial Match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Can they replicate their effort each week? Despite falling agonisingly short against the red-hot Raiders, Cronulla were not without their chances on Sunday. As mentioned, John Morris' school of Sharks beat Canberra in most facets of the stats sheet, but failed to extend this to the scoreboard. The men from the Shire bested the Canberrans in metres gained, set distance and kick return metres. Cronulla's receipts, offloads and tackles made also surpassed those of the Green Machine. It may seem simplistic to state, but all of these measures were realistically met due to a buy in and effort from the 17 men in black, white and blue. As this was enough to run a Premiership fancy close in Round 2, if it is replicated this weekend, it should be enough to keep them up to their eyeballs against the 2-0 Eels. The funny thing about effort, is that is up to the individual to provide it. So, the choice is up Morris' men if they show up or swim off. [caption id="attachment_56131" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Sharks coach John Morris watches on during a Cronulla Sharks NRL training session at PointsBet Stadium on June 02, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast Titans How do they extrapolate their winning form? Having started the season with a tack flat performance against the Warriors, Justin Holbrook's Titans lived up to their pre-season hype against Kevin Walters' woeful Broncos. It did take the Gold Coast to click into gear, but when Jarrod Wallace crossed the chalked line in the 20th minute, the horse had bolted from the gate. Although the Parkwood franchise were content to put the cue in the rack after an hour, the scoreboard damage had already been done. Whilst the Broncos were more punching bag than opposing pugilist for Holbrook's rising team, it is unlikely that the Cowboys will be put up much more of a fight this Sunday. Despite this, Holbrook's message is likely to contain a warning about taking their opponent lightly as well as a message that 40-minutes of football may be enough when facing last season's wooden spooners, but it won't cut the mustard if they want to play September football. With clashes against Canberra and Newcastle in the fortnight to follow, Holbrook must use this Sunday's clash as a chance to tune up before then. [caption id="attachment_102259" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: David Fifita of the Titans celebrates during the round two NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on March 19, 2021, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)[/caption] Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Where to now? Despite the doom and gloom that is likely to be engulfing Des Hasler, his playing group and the aerie of Sea Eagles' supporters, it all must be put into perspective. Yes, Manly was monstered by the Roosters in Round 1 and yes, they were run over by the Rabbitohs on Saturday, but it should be known that the vast majority of the league's teams would also have 0-2 record if they fixture began the same way. Harping on Tom Trbojevic's ridiculous hamstring injury and pointing out that Dylan Walker - his replacement in the one jersey - is not up to scratch have been made repeatedly over the season's first fortnight, but with the storm clouds still hanging over Brookvale, we've chosen to search for the silver lining. With the northern beaches side set to face a fellow bottom-eight team in the Dragons this weekend, at the very least, Des can expect not to be peppered for an entire 80-minutes. With Manly fixtured to face the Panthers, Warriors, Titans and Tigers over the next month, if are still winless and woeful after this, then it is unlikely you will need to line-up for a beer at Brookvale for the back half of the season. [caption id="attachment_77215" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 01: Josh Schuster of the Sea Eagles makes a break during the NRL trial match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 01, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne Storm How much do they miss Smith? The parameters of this question are as wide is the day is long, as it is clear that any team would miss a player of Cameron Smith's calibre - both on and off the field – and that his influence is borderline unquantifiable. However, as the future immortal is only at AAMI Park in bronzed form these days, it's integral for Craig Bellamy to shift his side's focus to the future. Smith's absence was not the reason why Melbourne missed out on two points last Thursday night, but the veteran rake laced his boots and Clint Gutherson decided to have a night off, it would be hard to imagine Melbourne sitting anywhere apart from 2-0. Troops of the Purple Army will be quick to tell you that if his replacement Harry Grant was available, the transition from the old to the new would have been seamless, but with the Origin hooker unavailable for at least the next 2-3 weeks, the narrative, and the void, still remains. The loss of Cameron Smith for Thursday night's Grand Final re-match has been compounded by the further absences of Felise Kaufusi, Brenko Lee, Dale Finucane, Suliasi Vunivalu, Tino Fa'asuamalaui and Clive Churchill medalist, Ryan Papenhuyzen. If the Panthers claim the points this weekend, it will offer them a modicum of satisfaction after last year's 26-20 loss, but if Melbourne and Bellamy can pull something from their bag, then it will be a win for the ages. Unfortunately, Smith's absence will continue to be a talking point until Grant grabs the nine jersey with both hands. However, if his 2020 form is a true trend of things to come, it won't be long before I pipe down. [caption id="attachment_50439" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cameron Smith of the Storm looks on before the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm at the Sydney Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] Newcastle Knights How important is Bradman Best? With a pair of try assists and tackle breaks on Friday night, Bradman Best once again proved that his offensive best is nigh on impossible to stop. With 19 tackles and an ability to chop out his forwards late in sets, it also became abundantly clear that although the 19-year-old wears a centre's jersey, he both looks and plays like another forward. At six foot and 16 stone, the central coast teenager boast a behemoth frame that almost belies his birth certificate. Although Adam O'Brien boasts a roster of names that include Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce and David Klemmer, the man with the best name in league is rapidly entering MVP status in the Hunter region. Last season, Best appeared for the Knights on nine of a possible 21 occasions for a record of 4-1-4. Conversely, when the Novacastrians were without their teen beast, their record read 7-5. Although this proves that the O'Brien's men could operate without him, I'm willing to wager than should Best miss nine consecutive games this year or next, the Knights' Premiership price would fall like last weekend's deluge. Whether you call the Hunter home or not, buy Bradman stocks now. [caption id="attachment_47823" align="alignnone" width="680"] Bradman Best[/caption] New Zealand Warriors How do they alleviate the familiarity? Sadly, for the Warriors' faithful, the more things change, the more they stay the same. When Ken Maumalo crossed the line with 13-minutes left on the clock, it appeared that the road-trippers would open their season at 2-0. However, what unfolded in the game's final eighth was a narrative that had been played out at Mount Smart from over a quarter of a century – fight your way back into a game, grab the lead and blow it just as the clock strikes midnight. The Warriors ability to claw back from 14-6 down following Mitchell Barnett's 50th minute conversion was admirable, and is almost certainly something Nathan Brown will have highlighted throughout the week, but with a propensity for still shooting themselves in the feet, Brown has his work cut out for him going forward. Near enough has been good enough in the past and an inability to play to the hooter has cost them dearly as well. These simple brain fades are hard to rectify – just ask any of the franchise's armada of former coaches – but the buck stops with Brown, whose job it is now to teach his contemporary tribe of Warriors to pot the eight ball before housing the cue. [caption id="attachment_36069" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Ken Maumalo of the Warriors in action during the round three NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors at GIO Stadium on March 24, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] North Queensland Cowboys Who does Payten pot this week? After missing out on his chance to see how his star forward Jason Taumalolo would respond to his Round 1 rocket, Todd Payton will have spent the week looking for his new target for a verbal nuking following his Cowboys' cataclysmic loss to the lowly Dragons. Payten's side spent more of Saturday night with the football and even completed their sets at a greater percentage than the Dragons, so his ire is likely to be spared by their offensive efforts. With 13 errors, 22 ineffective tackles and 32 missed altogether, it is the 0-2 coach's defense that can expect to feel the wrath of his blowtorch. Still, if the post-game shots from the sheds are anything to go by, Payten may have run out of puff already. https://twitter.com/7NewsTownsville/status/1373562121577897989 Who does he pot? Everybody? Nobody? Himself? Who knows? If I were in the hot seat, the next two names down the totem pole in Josh McGuire and Michael Morgan would be in the gun. Parramatta Eels Has their group matured? Last Thursday night's victory in the wet and wild conditions should be seen as a line in the sand for Parramatta. The Eels' win over the reigning Premiers in the rain may only have yielded Brad Arthur's side 2 competition points, but it must be seen as the benchmark for all future fixtures. Following competition finishes of 5th and 3rd in the past pair of season's, Parra have earnt the tag of a team that appears a contender, but when push comes to shove, are proven pretenders. The Eels finished 2020 with a 15-5 record and across these victories, managed to defeat finalists Melbourne, Newcastle, Penrith and Canberra. However, their losses came against the Roosters, Bunnies and Panthers again. Last season proved they could meet and beat contenders, but was something they could not replicate when asked to do some. Consistency has long been seen as the trademark of a supreme side and is something that Parramatta have yet to make synonymous with their brand of football. Their win over the Melbourne Storm last weekend was something they were able to achieve last season, but with the knowledge that they will likely need to repeat this if they are to break their Premiership drought, Arthur will be hoping his team has turned a corner and that the pre-season has brought about a elevation of maturity. [caption id="attachment_56898" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Clinton Gutherson of the Eels makes a break during the round eight NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the North Queensland Cowboys at Bankwest Stadium on July 03, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Penrith Panthers How much satisfaction would a win bring? It is a ‘captain obvious' type statement, but 2-points on Thursday night will not erase the hurt of last season, however, it definitely won't add to it. Penrith will be out for revenge against the side that ended their 17-game winning streak last season and poached the jewelry they envisaged themselves owning. With the Storm starting a beaten down 17-man squad, the Panthers – albeit sans Cleary – will be licking their lips at the prospect of digging their claws in. Should they hold Melbourne to zero and their left-side offense fires, Ivan Cleary, his squad, and the Panthers faithful will be able to forget about to pain of last October – if only for a minute. South Sydney Rabbitohs Are they Premiership favourites with a win on Friday night? Although they tripped over their first hurdle of the season, South Sydney steadied themselves last weekend against Manly. With a Friday night date against their arch-rivals Sydney, punters will have a firm idea of where the Bunnies truly sit when the final hooter goes. As the Roosters currently reign supreme at the top of the table, if Souths can topple their Eastern Suburbs neighbours, do they deserve the tag of Premiership favourites? Your answer here is likely to contain just a modicum of bias, as apart from Manly and possibly Melbourne, no two teams polarize opinion quite like the Rabbits and Chooks. Still, with many paid pundits predicting Souths to add to their swathe of Premierships this season, a victory will vindicate their views. However, should the rampaging Roosters roll on, the bookies will have their outright favourite. [caption id="attachment_60075" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round six NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors at Bankwest Stadium on June 19, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] St George Illawarra Dragons Can the brigade of former Broncos repeat their efforts? Alright, I'll put my hand up. I went a bit early in my assessment of Anthony Griffin's decision to get his Broncos band back together. After the Sharks' brigade of out of contract stars dished me up my first taste of humble pie this season, Ben Hunt, Corey Norman and Andrew McCullough appeared happy to serve me a second serve on Saturday night. Filling key slots in the Dragon's 17, the previously down and out Norman and the hot and cold Hunt were superb in the halves and the veteran McCullough was set the tempo like an orchestral conductor at the nine. Still, doing it once was enough to earn 2-points and my apology, but the sign of a great player - or in this case trio of players - is if they can do it again. I'll be watching when they take on the sloppy Sea Eagles. [caption id="attachment_43547" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Corey Norman of the Dragons passes during the round 7 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground on April 25, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Roosters Are they Premiership favourites with a win on Friday night? Sitting high and dry above the competition with a points differential of +76, Trent Robinson's Roosters are the current cock of the competition walk. Still, should this come to a careering halt on Friday night against their ‘old mates' Souths, this is almost certain to come to an end. Having faced the competition's bottom two teams over their first fortnight, cynics may suggest that Easts' form is far from real, but as the old adage goes, you can only play who you are fixtured too. If the Roosters continue their winning ways this weekend, expect their Premiership price to shrink, but if Souths can score at will, expect the money to bound the other way. [caption id="attachment_34545" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Roosters head coach Trent Robinson watches on during a Sydney Roosters Training Session at Kippax Oval on March 12, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Wests Tigers Have they found their bottom? Sitting second from bottom, smart alecs will claim that Wests have at least one more floor to fall before the bar can sink no lower. However, with the Knights, Eels, Cowboys and Rabbitohs on their fixture list over the next month, the plummet appears imminent. I asked the Tigers to prove me wrong last week, and they didn't. I will tentatively issue the same challenge ahead of their clash this Sunday. My money is on the Newcastle, for what it's worth. [caption id="attachment_69401" align="alignnone" width="1024"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Joey Leilua of the Tigers is pictured during the round 1 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium on March 15, 2020 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption]

The big questions facing EVERY club ahead of Round 3

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		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CBR	24	19	5	44	148
2	MEL	24	17	7	40	212
3	CAN	24	16	8	38	120
4	BRI	24	15	9	36	172
5	CRO	24	15	9	36	109
6	NZW	24	14	10	34	21
7	PEN	24	13	10	33	107
8	SYD	24	13	11	32	132