The Serve

THE BIG 5 - NRL Round 2

Willie Mason, complaining from Craig Bellamy, the Bulldogs woes, Johnathon Thurston’s standing in the game and Souths. These provide the big five questions out of NRL week 2.

 

5. Do Willie Mason’s threats of striking if the salary cap isn’t increased have any merit?

No. His stance on the salary cap is mildly admirable, however he is not in the position where he should be making such statements, nor is he the type of figure that would garner any sort of sympathy from the public. Threatening to ruin the codes best product is nothing short of stupidity. Willie has just started writing weekly columns for the Sun Herald. This article has the unmistakable whiff of organised controversy. No-one will be striking and Willie has made a horrific public relations blunder.

4. Is Johnathon Thurston the best player in the league?

Another virtuoso performance from the Australian halfback. The Cowboys didn’t have much to beat inthe Roosters, but he not only outclassed them, he outclassed his own side. This isn’t a flash in the pan. He won the Dally M two seasons ago and last year starred for the Kangaroos as well as the furnace of origin. He appears to have overtaken Andrew Johns on sheer availability alone, while it seems only Darren Lockyer stands above him. If Thurston isn’t the best player today, he will be very soon.

3. Are there warning signs for the Bulldogs?

Losing 40-10 to a side that couldn’t lay on a point the week before should ring the alarms, however excuses can be made. Penrith coach Matt Elliott admitted the Dogs looked tired ‘after five minutes’, a product of playing a man down only five days prior. Despite the scoreline, the game was there to be won for Canterbury, their impatience costing them dearly. Had they converted on some of the countless attacking opportunities presented to them on a plate in the first period, the contest would have kept them up. However the second half stats continue to mount against the Dogs. After the break, they have been outscored 74-4 in their last three outings. Next week they play the Titans at Telstra, surely a winnable game. That should provide a measuring stick.

2. Is Greg Inglis being unfairly targeted?

Craig Bellamy is playing a very smart game. Complain about a supposed lack of action every week, and eventually it will have its impact. Bellamy knows first hand how coaches can use the media for their own benefit. It’s the same tactic that saw his ‘grapple’ tackle constantly make the back pages and move to the forefront of referee’s checklists. Perhaps Inglis is being targeted, perhaps he isn’t. The fact is opposition teams see a young man who is gifted but vulnerable, his new position leaving him prone to attention. If he’s hit high, the referee will take action, but Greg Inglis being hit across the chops should mean the same as Joe Bloggs copping one. We saw last week that wasn’t the case when Andrew Johns was belted, so Bellamy’s method is not without reason.

1. Are Souths for real?

While last weeks win over the Roosters was commendable, the level of the opposition was questionable. Again, Souths have delivered, but again they’ve beaten a team that looks inferior. However the signs from Rabbitohs 2 and 0 start are better than just encouraging. Steely defence, threatening attack and a group that knows how to bury an opposition. These attributes haven’t existed at the Bunnies since the late 80’s. Even if the only thing we’ve ascertained out of this opening fortnight is that Souths can beat bad teams, fans can rest in the knowledge there’s enough bad teams in the premiership for the Rabbitohs to take care of.