Tuesdays Expert Wrap - Round One

After another controversy filled off-season it was a welcome relief to see the players return to the field and let their actions do to talking. Round one action is always intriguing and didn't the fans turn out in style - crowd numbers accumulated to the greatest round aggregate in the history of the NRL!

Moving right along, and Friday night saw Sydney's big derby between the Roosters and Rabbitohs at the SFS. The resounding theme of the clash was that the Rabbitohs still don't have the required tenacity to defend their own try line under pressure. Typified by the ever-arrogant Chris Sandow, Souths look flashy and fancy but a soft underbelly is again their major obstacle to success.

Prior to round one, Tuesday's Expert was asked to predict the biggest surprise packet and biggest flop for the 2011 season. And the first round of action highlighted that Tuesday's Expert is, well, nothing short of an expert. The Parramatta Eels were nominated as the team set to surprise and the Penrith Panthers as the side to sink. In Nostradamus-like fashion, both were on the money.

Although it is very early days, the influence of Bellamy-mentored Steven Kearney has had a notable impact on Parramatta. The Eels now play with structure and discipline and seem, to quote a cliche, all know their role in the side. A key ingredient is Casey McGuire in the hooking role - he calmly directed the attack in a performance that mirrored Melbourne's Cam Smith.

Penrith, on the other hand, were a complete shambles. They conceded every type of penalty in the book in the worst performance by an NRL side in recent memory. Aside from the classy Luke Lewis and aging warhorse Petero Civoniceva, on paper there's not much evoke any confidence and it's hard to see them getting anywhere near the top eight this year.

A team that caught the eye for all the right reasons was Canberra. In the absense of Matt Orford and Terry Campese, second choice halves Josh McCrone and Sam Williams steered the ship admirably. Such playmaking depth is almost non-existent these days and it was refreshing to see two crafty young players take centre stage.