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.
Sydney Roosters (40) Tries: Anthony Minichiello, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Tom Symonds (2), Joseph Leilua Conversions: Braith Anasta (5/7) Penalty Goals: Braith Anasta (1/1)
South Sydney Rabbitohs (29) Tries: John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, Eddy Pettybourne, Chris Sandow Field Goals: Chris Sandow (1/1) Conversions: Issac Luke (0/1), Chris Sandow (4/4)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Mitchell Pearce 2 Points - Tom Symonds (2 Tries) 1 Point - Chris Sandow (1 Try, 4 Conversions, 1 Field Goal) Brisbane Broncos 14 were defeated by North Queensland Cowboys 16 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Friday March 11, 2011 8:45pm Crowd: 45,119
Brisbane Broncos (14) Tries: Jharal Yow Yeh, Dane Gagai, Jack Reed Conversions: Corey Parker (1/3)
North Queensland Cowboys (16) Tries: Michael Bani, James Tamou, Will Tupou Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/3)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Johnathan Thurston (2 Conversions) 2 Points - Matt Bowen 1 Point - Josh Hoffman New Zealand Warriors 18 were defeated by Parramatta Eels 24 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Saturday March 12, 2011 5:30pm Crowd: 38,405
New Zealand Warriors (18) Tries: Jerome Ropati (2), Lewis Brown Conversions: James Maloney (3/3)
Parramatta Eels (24) Tries: Luke Burt (2), Jarryd Hayne, Jeff Robson Conversions: Luke Burt (3/4) Penalty Goals: Luke Burt (1/1)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Jarryd Hayne (1 Try) 2 Points - Luke Burt (2 Tries, 3 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal) 1 Point - Mitchell Allgood Gold Coast Titans 18 were defeated by St George Illawarra Dragons 25 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Saturday March 12, 2011 7:30pm Crowd: 21,729
Gold Coast Titans (16) Tries: Steve Michaels, Ashley Harrison, Sam Tagataese Conversions: Scott Prince (2/3)
St George Illwarra Dragons (25) Tries: Ben Creagh, Nathan Fien, Darius Boyd (2) Field Goals: Jamie Soward (1/2) Conversions: Jamie Soward (4/4)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Jamie Soward (4 Conversions, 1 Field Goal) 2 Points - Ben Creagh (1 Try) 1 Point - Scott Prince (3 Conversions) Melbourne Storm 18 defeated Manly Sea Eagles 6 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Saturday March 12, 2011 7:30pm Crowd: 14,651
Melbourne Storm (18) Tries: Chase Stanley, Dane Nielsen, Matt Duffie Conversions: Cameron Smith (2/3) Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Cooper Cronk 2 Points - Cameron Smith (2 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal) 1 Point - Glenn Stewart Canberra Raiders 40 defeated Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 12 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Sunday March 13, 2011 2:00pm Crowd: 13,450
Canberra Raiders (40) Tries: Dane Tilse, Joe Picker, Jarrod Croker, Daniel Vidot, Shaun Fensom, Blake Ferguson, Josh McCrone Conversions: Jarrod Croker (6/7)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (12) Tries: Luke Douglas, Nathan Gardner Conversions: John Williams (2/2)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Josh McCrone (1 Try) 2 Points - Joel Thompson 1 Point - Sam Williams Penrith Panthers 8 were defeated by Newcastle Knights 42 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Sunday March 13, 2011 3:00pm Crowd: 12,431
Penrith Panthers (8) Tries: Lachlan Coote Conversions: Michael Gordon (1/1) Penalty Goals: Michael Gordon (1/1)
Newcastle Knights (42) Tries: Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Matt Hilder, Junior Sau (2), Akuila Uate, Beau Henry Conversions: Kurt Gidley (3/4), Wes Naiqama (3/3) Penalty Goals: Wes Naiqama (1/1)
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Jarrod Mullen (1 Try) 2 Points - Kurt Gidley (1 Try, 3 Conversions) 1 Point - Junior Sau (2 Tries) Canterbury Bulldogs 24 defeated Wests Tigers 14 National Rugby League - Round 1 - Monday March 14, 2011 7:00pm
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 Points - Trent Hodkinson 2 Points - Frank Pritchard (1 Try) 1 Point - Aiden Tolman LEAGUEUNLIMITED.COM PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2011
Two Matthew Bowen (Cowboys), Luke Burt (Eels), Ben Creagh (Dragons), Kurt Gidley (Knights), Frank Pritchard (Bulldogs), Cameron Smith (Storm), Tom Symonds (Roosters), Joel Thompson (Raiders)
One Mitchell Allgood (Eels), Josh Hoffman (Broncos), Scott Prince (Titans), Chris Sandow (Rabbitohs), Junior Sau (Knights), Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles), Aiden Tolman (Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Raiders)