Post by Jim on Apr 19, 2020 9:36:55 GMT
1 - Hull KR (1-0-0)
The Redskins gained a modicum of revenge for last year's Grand Final defeat with a dogged and determined come from behind victory on the Gold Coast. The rampaging Vilame Kikau was too much to handle for the Crusade defence and his path of destruction enabled Hull's backline to shine. Hull found themselves 0-16 down with 22 minutes on the clock but soon banished that horror start to claim an impressive on the road win. Padds is too long in the tooth to get carried away so early on, however the wily supercoach will be stroking his chin with his trademark understated confidence.
2 - Gold Coast Crusade (0-1-0)
Reigning premiers Gold Coast blew a commanding early lead in the home defeat to Hull, but the Crusade faithful won't be overly concerned. The sub-60% completion rate will be a worry for the coaching staff with those extended Mad Monday celebrations perhaps contributing to the rustiness, however Chad Townsend's performance gives them a platform to build on heading into round two and a visit to Darwin. Gold Coast will be happy to stay under the radar and hit top form at the business end of the campaign once more.
3 - Auckland Orcas (1-0-0)
A dominant second half sealed a convincing win for the Orcas over visiting Adelaide in a clash of two ASRL titans in Auckland. Having been pipped to the minor premiership last term, the Kiwi outfit will be determined to go one better this time around. English winger Liam Marshall tormented the Attitude as he bagged a double while new boys Andrew Fifita and Conner Watson also caught the eye. The Orcas have the tools required to mount a real challenge this year.
4 - Adelaide Attitude (0-1-0)
The manner of the defeat to Auckland, and in particular the toothless second half performance, will have raised a few eyebrows in the City of Churches. The Attitude have a habit of blowing hot and cold so it wouldn't be a major shock to see them put this loss behind them next week, although the loss of Jimmy Maloney for six weeks is a sizeable blow and will heap pressure on new recruit Richie Myler. Sydney come to town in round two so the Adelaide faithful will be in expectant mood.
5 - Merseyside Dockers (1-0-0)
The Dockers were full value for their win in Western Australia, restricting Perth to six points and having 60% of the ball in an eye catching start to the new campaign. Experienced centres Josh Morris and Jarrod Croker held things together well while Josh Addo-Carr showed promise following his switch to fullback. Merseyside nabbed a finals spot last year and on this evidence will be in the mix for the top five again, although that will depend on them finding greater consistency.
6 - Melbourne Monsters (1-0-0)
The coachless Monsters could well be the darkhorses on the ASRL based on the evidence of a comprehensive hammering of Sydney in round one. While beating the hapless Oilers on its own is nothing to get too excited about, Melbourne dominated throughout with wingmen Maiko Sivo and Josh Charnley giving the Oilers nightmares. The Monsters even had the luxury of giving Jared Waera-Hargreaves an extra week's rest with the combative Kiwi expected to return to face Scandinavia in round two. There must be a coach out there willing to give this unloved band of brothers a gentle hug.
7 - Scandanvia Berserkers (0-0-1)
With a new coach at the helm, the Berserkers are on the club on the up and gave a good account of themselves in the 16-16 stalemate with Darwin in Stockholm. Veteran winger Ryan Hall looks at home in the land of flat pack furniture bagging two tries, although losing his wing partner Tommy Makinson for five weeks is far from ideal. The Berserkers might not be the most glamorous side in the ASRL, however there's a Volvo-esque efficiency about the squad that could stand them in good stead.
8 - Darwin Dragons (0-0-1)
Last year was one to forget for the Dragons and it's difficult to know what to expect this time around with the draw against Scandinavia throwing up as many questions as answers. There's some real talent on the roster and despite recent understatements, it wouldn't be a massive surprise if coach Dino Vikas is able to find a winning formula. Defending champions Gold Coast head north in round two and will provide a stern test of Darwin's play-off credentials.
9 - Perth Panthers (0-1-0)
Having missed out on the top five last season, Perth would have wanted to get off to a winning start, however a heavy home loss to Merseyside quickly hushed those talking up the Panthers finals chances. There's plenty of footy to be played and Mick Sparrow has enough experience to get his ship back on course, but with the big boys of Auckland heading to Optus Stadium in round two, Perth will need to mount quite the turnaround to put their week one shellacking behind them.
10 - Sydney Oilers (0-1-0)
Wooden spoon holders, embroiled in allegations of player poaching and handed an eye watering beating in round one, it's not a great time to be an Oilers fan as the pressure builds on Roger Bossert. On paper Sydney have more than enough ammunition at their disposal to challenge at the top end of the ASRL, however on the evidence of the loss to Melbourne it could be another long season for Bossert and his underachieving squad. A trip to Adelaide is next up for the beleaguered Oilers.
The Redskins gained a modicum of revenge for last year's Grand Final defeat with a dogged and determined come from behind victory on the Gold Coast. The rampaging Vilame Kikau was too much to handle for the Crusade defence and his path of destruction enabled Hull's backline to shine. Hull found themselves 0-16 down with 22 minutes on the clock but soon banished that horror start to claim an impressive on the road win. Padds is too long in the tooth to get carried away so early on, however the wily supercoach will be stroking his chin with his trademark understated confidence.
2 - Gold Coast Crusade (0-1-0)
Reigning premiers Gold Coast blew a commanding early lead in the home defeat to Hull, but the Crusade faithful won't be overly concerned. The sub-60% completion rate will be a worry for the coaching staff with those extended Mad Monday celebrations perhaps contributing to the rustiness, however Chad Townsend's performance gives them a platform to build on heading into round two and a visit to Darwin. Gold Coast will be happy to stay under the radar and hit top form at the business end of the campaign once more.
3 - Auckland Orcas (1-0-0)
A dominant second half sealed a convincing win for the Orcas over visiting Adelaide in a clash of two ASRL titans in Auckland. Having been pipped to the minor premiership last term, the Kiwi outfit will be determined to go one better this time around. English winger Liam Marshall tormented the Attitude as he bagged a double while new boys Andrew Fifita and Conner Watson also caught the eye. The Orcas have the tools required to mount a real challenge this year.
4 - Adelaide Attitude (0-1-0)
The manner of the defeat to Auckland, and in particular the toothless second half performance, will have raised a few eyebrows in the City of Churches. The Attitude have a habit of blowing hot and cold so it wouldn't be a major shock to see them put this loss behind them next week, although the loss of Jimmy Maloney for six weeks is a sizeable blow and will heap pressure on new recruit Richie Myler. Sydney come to town in round two so the Adelaide faithful will be in expectant mood.
5 - Merseyside Dockers (1-0-0)
The Dockers were full value for their win in Western Australia, restricting Perth to six points and having 60% of the ball in an eye catching start to the new campaign. Experienced centres Josh Morris and Jarrod Croker held things together well while Josh Addo-Carr showed promise following his switch to fullback. Merseyside nabbed a finals spot last year and on this evidence will be in the mix for the top five again, although that will depend on them finding greater consistency.
6 - Melbourne Monsters (1-0-0)
The coachless Monsters could well be the darkhorses on the ASRL based on the evidence of a comprehensive hammering of Sydney in round one. While beating the hapless Oilers on its own is nothing to get too excited about, Melbourne dominated throughout with wingmen Maiko Sivo and Josh Charnley giving the Oilers nightmares. The Monsters even had the luxury of giving Jared Waera-Hargreaves an extra week's rest with the combative Kiwi expected to return to face Scandinavia in round two. There must be a coach out there willing to give this unloved band of brothers a gentle hug.
7 - Scandanvia Berserkers (0-0-1)
With a new coach at the helm, the Berserkers are on the club on the up and gave a good account of themselves in the 16-16 stalemate with Darwin in Stockholm. Veteran winger Ryan Hall looks at home in the land of flat pack furniture bagging two tries, although losing his wing partner Tommy Makinson for five weeks is far from ideal. The Berserkers might not be the most glamorous side in the ASRL, however there's a Volvo-esque efficiency about the squad that could stand them in good stead.
8 - Darwin Dragons (0-0-1)
Last year was one to forget for the Dragons and it's difficult to know what to expect this time around with the draw against Scandinavia throwing up as many questions as answers. There's some real talent on the roster and despite recent understatements, it wouldn't be a massive surprise if coach Dino Vikas is able to find a winning formula. Defending champions Gold Coast head north in round two and will provide a stern test of Darwin's play-off credentials.
9 - Perth Panthers (0-1-0)
Having missed out on the top five last season, Perth would have wanted to get off to a winning start, however a heavy home loss to Merseyside quickly hushed those talking up the Panthers finals chances. There's plenty of footy to be played and Mick Sparrow has enough experience to get his ship back on course, but with the big boys of Auckland heading to Optus Stadium in round two, Perth will need to mount quite the turnaround to put their week one shellacking behind them.
10 - Sydney Oilers (0-1-0)
Wooden spoon holders, embroiled in allegations of player poaching and handed an eye watering beating in round one, it's not a great time to be an Oilers fan as the pressure builds on Roger Bossert. On paper Sydney have more than enough ammunition at their disposal to challenge at the top end of the ASRL, however on the evidence of the loss to Melbourne it could be another long season for Bossert and his underachieving squad. A trip to Adelaide is next up for the beleaguered Oilers.
