I don’t think there would have been a rugby league fan, Penrith supporters included, who didn’t have a little smile on their face when the Tigers won last weekend. But there was one play that summed up why I think they’ve got plenty to look forward to in the future.
Rookie fullback Jahream Bula is an absolute beauty. I know he’s only played two NRL games, but he’s the type of kid the Tigers should be building their future around.
His ability to stay composed under the pressure of Nathan Cleary’s bombs in the rain was superb, but it was his try-saving tackle on the Panthers No.7 that really impressed me. There was no way Cleary wasn’t going to score.
If you watch the replay, Bula’s tackle technique was awful – he had his head in the wrong spot – but he just threw himself at Cleary, with no thought of the preservation of his own body. He had to do something, and he did. That spoke volumes about his character. When the game was on the line, the 21-year-old was as desperate as any player on the field. I loved it.
If you start looking at him being in that spine with Api Koroisau and a much-improved performance from Luke Brooks and, while I still think there’s a couple of question marks over Brandon Wakeham, the Tigers will be hard to beat in the next couple of months.
I was so pleased to see Brooks play the way he did. He had two huge 40-20 kicks, he ran the ball at the right times and just totally simplified his game. We all know it’s been there.
Nathan Cleary spills the ball after Jahream Bula’s try-saving tackle on Saturday night.Credit: Getty
I expect them to beat the Dragons this week during Magic Round. I only have one wish though: Alex Twal to score his first NRL try. I’m not sure Brooks will be able to put him over, so it’s going to have to come down to Koroisau.
Step right up, Api.
Ciraldo’s Dogs are doing it their own way
Everyone knew the Bulldogs had potentially snared one of the next big things in coaching with Cameron Ciraldo, and you can see his players really want to play for him and they respect his calm demeanour.
But he’s smart. I’ve been watching the Bulldogs the past few weeks and have been really impressed with how they’ve moved the ball out of their own end. Most teams don’t want a mistake; they’ll tuck the ball under the arm and just ruck it out from their own line.
Ciraldo knows his team has to play differently. I’ve always been an advocate for spreading the ball to make easy metres when the defensive line compresses, and they scored two long-range tries through Jake Averillo by doing that against the Dragons. It’s just smart footy.
Teenager Karl Oloapu looks a real prospect, and I suspect he’ll be a five-eighth for the next part of his career, allowing Matt Burton to take control of the team.
It’s hard to think what the Bulldogs could have done given their horror injury toll. It says a lot about the club. They’re showing a real resilience at the moment.
Love him or hate him, you have to give credit to Phil Gould for where they’re heading. He’s a genius. Look how he set Penrith up for the future. They won two premierships in a row and just keep producing young players.
Canterbury’s Harold Matthews team won its grand final easily on the weekend, and one player I’ve had my eye on is young halfback Mitchell Woods, who looks a real player of the future.
I don’t think the Bulldogs will make the top eight this year, but next year they will for sure.
Rabbitohs ready to produce some magic
If I had to rank the favourites for the competition right now, the Rabbitohs would be my top pick. I’d have the Panthers second, then the Roosters, Storm and Broncos. Jason Demetriou’s South Sydney look the real deal.
South Sydney’s Cody Walker is ready to light up Magic Round.Credit: Getty
The start to this season has been the best in years, but I’m tipping Souths’ match against Melbourne at Magic Round to be potentially the game of the year.
South Sydney’s last loss was against the Storm in round five, and it was a match in which Latrell Mitchell was heavily criticised for his involvement. I expect a response.
These teams have got such contrasting styles. The Rabbitohs throw so much energy into their attack against the best defensive team of the NRL era. I just suspect the Rabbitohs might have the edge on their bench with Jai Arrow and Tom Burgess teaming up with the returning Liam Knight.
But there’s so many mouth-watering individual battles: Damien Cook v Harry Grant, Campbell Graham v Justin Olam, Cody Walker v Cameron Munster. I think those last two will take this personally and could light up the stadium.
Joey’s tip: Rabbitohs by 10
First try-scorer: Alex Johnston
Man of the match: Cody Walker
NRLW is great – now get out and watch it
It’s great news the NRLW competition will have every game shown on Nine Entertainment Co (owners of this masthead).
The standard over the past couple of years has improved tenfold. I think there’s been better coaching, the girls have trained harder and that move to semi-professional status is helping the product.
The big challenge now is for mums, aunties, sisters … go and watch a fantastic spectacle. They need to be at the grounds or watching on TV to get the ratings up, and that way they can generate more revenue so the players can get a percentage of that and one day it can be a fully professional game. The only way that’s going to happen is for women to support women and girls.
It’s a great product. Every year it has improved out of sight and I can’t wait for this year’s competition.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
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