Post by Mackdadday on Apr 10, 2018 10:20:41 GMT
It was a round of captivation as the 2018 season kicked after last weekend with pre-season under dogs Glasgow and Rochdale the surprise packets.
1. Adelaide Attitude.
The 2017 champions got out of the gates well, extending their winning steak from the end of last season. The Attitude took down perenial finalist Hull and will look to stamp their authority again this round. Trent Merrin was the only casualty of the first round with a nasal injury likely to keep him on the sidelines for approximately six weeks.
2. Glasgow Reapers.
In an ASRL first for Hesky'S Reapers, Glasgow sit atop the ASRL table at the end of round 1. The addition of Inglis, Folau and De in the off season has paid dividends as the team trumpled North Queensland by 28 points. The Reapers should go into round with the Gold Coast at full strength and in hot form.
3. Rochdale Raptors.
Just as with Glasgow, coaches have often chuckled about the chances of a loss against the once dubbed Florida. Rochdale stunned the pundits with a convincing victory over Canberra in round 1 showing that new coach Theo 'Ernie' Kamos is not to be taken lightly. Rochdale has a number of players come out of their last match with niggling injuries but it is expected that with a good week of physio it should be all hands on deck next round.
4. Melbourne Monsters.
Melbourne surprised many this round upsetting the forever powerful Brisbane Cougars in a close one last round. Melbourne have been on a slow build for the last two seasons and with the additions of Chricton, James Roberts and a slew of capable hookers in Peats, Wallace and Parcell the ywill be looking to go better than just finals footy this season. Sebastein Ikahihifo was the major casualty from round 1 with Anthony Don also unlikely to be available for the round 2 clash with Sydney.
5. Gold Coast Crusade.
Gold Coast is a club that always seems on the verge of greatness depsite its relative lack of superstars. Round 1 saw GC demoralise the ever feisty Orcas on the way to a comfortable victory. Megastar led the way all game with Corey Thompson impressive on debut. Chad Townsend picked up a scrape but The Crusade should go into round 2's match with Glasgow at full strength.
6. Capetown Ravens.
Ablely led by Johnathon Thurston, The Ravens have been a force capable of winning against anyone. This weeks victim was Sydney as James Graham run roughshod during his two stints on the field. Capetown will be looking to field the same team this week as the ytake on the envigorated Rochdale squad.
7. Brisbane Cougars.
Despite the loss, the Cougars still strike fear in the hearts of many ASRL coaches. A few tinkers will likely be in order as the Cougars seach for their first inevitable win for 2018. Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen are both in doubt for the Cougars in round 2.
8. Fairfield Stallions.
Another surprise in Round 1 was Fairfield overcoming Darwin who always have a talented squad to boast. Fairfield were clinical in defence and will look to dish up another surprise against premiers Adelaide in round 2. Notably unable to make much of a stir in the off season, Fairfield will be looking to high-profile and highly paid re-signing Apisai Koroisau to be their beacon to the finals this year. Dugan has a small concern with his knee but is expected to be fine for round 2.
9. Hull Kingston Rovers
What can be said about the battlers from Hull? They seem to go from first to last and vice versa from season to season. Last season was a fine one for the Redskins but round 1 was a close loss with Zac Hardaker looking at a stint on the sideline. However, Roger Tuivasa-Schek will no doubt bring his A game against Darwin this week.
10. Darwin Dragons
No team suffered more losses than the Dragons coming in to 2018 with De Belin, Ryan James and Jake T all lost from their ranks. That said, Coach Dino is a tenacious one and his nose for talent always keeps them competitive. The ywill be looking to rebound from a tough loss to Fairfield with a strong showing against Hull. No major injuries out of round1 will help.
11. Sydney Oilers.
Coach Bossert will be opening round jitters were the cause of Cameron Smiths failure to begin the glory days of the Oilers with Sydney going down to Capetown without much of a struggle. All the eggs have been placed in the Smith basket this season and he will need to spark a relationship with Tedesco if the Oilers are to achieve finals glory this year. A number of culls moments before kick off didnt necessarily boost team morale in their eccentric coach.
12. Canberra Carnage.
A generally robust coach, Coach Sparrow will be livid after a poor opening to the season against Rochdale. A short term injury to star Gareth Widdop wont help matters either with the five eight confirmed to be out this week against Auckland.
13. Auckland Orcas.
Oh how the mad scientist of the ASRL does tinker. A few seasons ago Coach Townsend made a few trades that others termed manical in their obvious evidence of a feble mind. Soon after the Orcas enjoyed two seasons of back to back titles. Hopefully the recent trade fury will once again push the Orcas back towards the light once more.
14. North Queensland Dolphins.
No team has been transformed in recent memory as NQ has been transformed for the 2018 season. Gone is the laughable squad that revolved solely around Billy Slater and now boasts new additions such as Konrad Hurrell, Josh Adoo-Carr, Andrew McCullough, Clint Gutherson and a host of others.
Hopefully this new and improved unit will gel in round 2 as they take on the always formiddable Brisbane.
1. Adelaide Attitude.
The 2017 champions got out of the gates well, extending their winning steak from the end of last season. The Attitude took down perenial finalist Hull and will look to stamp their authority again this round. Trent Merrin was the only casualty of the first round with a nasal injury likely to keep him on the sidelines for approximately six weeks.
2. Glasgow Reapers.
In an ASRL first for Hesky'S Reapers, Glasgow sit atop the ASRL table at the end of round 1. The addition of Inglis, Folau and De in the off season has paid dividends as the team trumpled North Queensland by 28 points. The Reapers should go into round with the Gold Coast at full strength and in hot form.
3. Rochdale Raptors.
Just as with Glasgow, coaches have often chuckled about the chances of a loss against the once dubbed Florida. Rochdale stunned the pundits with a convincing victory over Canberra in round 1 showing that new coach Theo 'Ernie' Kamos is not to be taken lightly. Rochdale has a number of players come out of their last match with niggling injuries but it is expected that with a good week of physio it should be all hands on deck next round.
4. Melbourne Monsters.
Melbourne surprised many this round upsetting the forever powerful Brisbane Cougars in a close one last round. Melbourne have been on a slow build for the last two seasons and with the additions of Chricton, James Roberts and a slew of capable hookers in Peats, Wallace and Parcell the ywill be looking to go better than just finals footy this season. Sebastein Ikahihifo was the major casualty from round 1 with Anthony Don also unlikely to be available for the round 2 clash with Sydney.
5. Gold Coast Crusade.
Gold Coast is a club that always seems on the verge of greatness depsite its relative lack of superstars. Round 1 saw GC demoralise the ever feisty Orcas on the way to a comfortable victory. Megastar led the way all game with Corey Thompson impressive on debut. Chad Townsend picked up a scrape but The Crusade should go into round 2's match with Glasgow at full strength.
6. Capetown Ravens.
Ablely led by Johnathon Thurston, The Ravens have been a force capable of winning against anyone. This weeks victim was Sydney as James Graham run roughshod during his two stints on the field. Capetown will be looking to field the same team this week as the ytake on the envigorated Rochdale squad.
7. Brisbane Cougars.
Despite the loss, the Cougars still strike fear in the hearts of many ASRL coaches. A few tinkers will likely be in order as the Cougars seach for their first inevitable win for 2018. Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen are both in doubt for the Cougars in round 2.
8. Fairfield Stallions.
Another surprise in Round 1 was Fairfield overcoming Darwin who always have a talented squad to boast. Fairfield were clinical in defence and will look to dish up another surprise against premiers Adelaide in round 2. Notably unable to make much of a stir in the off season, Fairfield will be looking to high-profile and highly paid re-signing Apisai Koroisau to be their beacon to the finals this year. Dugan has a small concern with his knee but is expected to be fine for round 2.
9. Hull Kingston Rovers
What can be said about the battlers from Hull? They seem to go from first to last and vice versa from season to season. Last season was a fine one for the Redskins but round 1 was a close loss with Zac Hardaker looking at a stint on the sideline. However, Roger Tuivasa-Schek will no doubt bring his A game against Darwin this week.
10. Darwin Dragons
No team suffered more losses than the Dragons coming in to 2018 with De Belin, Ryan James and Jake T all lost from their ranks. That said, Coach Dino is a tenacious one and his nose for talent always keeps them competitive. The ywill be looking to rebound from a tough loss to Fairfield with a strong showing against Hull. No major injuries out of round1 will help.
11. Sydney Oilers.
Coach Bossert will be opening round jitters were the cause of Cameron Smiths failure to begin the glory days of the Oilers with Sydney going down to Capetown without much of a struggle. All the eggs have been placed in the Smith basket this season and he will need to spark a relationship with Tedesco if the Oilers are to achieve finals glory this year. A number of culls moments before kick off didnt necessarily boost team morale in their eccentric coach.
12. Canberra Carnage.
A generally robust coach, Coach Sparrow will be livid after a poor opening to the season against Rochdale. A short term injury to star Gareth Widdop wont help matters either with the five eight confirmed to be out this week against Auckland.
13. Auckland Orcas.
Oh how the mad scientist of the ASRL does tinker. A few seasons ago Coach Townsend made a few trades that others termed manical in their obvious evidence of a feble mind. Soon after the Orcas enjoyed two seasons of back to back titles. Hopefully the recent trade fury will once again push the Orcas back towards the light once more.
14. North Queensland Dolphins.
No team has been transformed in recent memory as NQ has been transformed for the 2018 season. Gone is the laughable squad that revolved solely around Billy Slater and now boasts new additions such as Konrad Hurrell, Josh Adoo-Carr, Andrew McCullough, Clint Gutherson and a host of others.
Hopefully this new and improved unit will gel in round 2 as they take on the always formiddable Brisbane.