2011 Update

Well after a much longer hiatus than planned, this blog is again live for 2011, looking forward to covering some important topics during the season and hopefully covering some of the lighter aspects of the game at times.

The season is now 6 weeks old and it would be fair to say to the competition to this point is evenly matched with some teams performing as expected and some others who have not performed to their own pre season expectations. Lets discuss their current status here;

Storm - With the best 1,7 and 9 in the world firing on all cylinders, in their shiny new home, the Storm are off to a flyer in 2011. The back end of the season will test their mettle as will an injury to one of their superstars.

Broncos - Shaken off Bennetitis and are playing some great footy, with their usual batch of youngsters stoking the fires of the elder statesmen in the team. Hodges back injury free and Lockyer set to smash a lot of records on his climb to being an immortal.

Dragons - Still the bench mark. Only one loss to a fired up little brother, and 5 wins without playing a game at either home ground. Will be very hard to stop.

Cowboys - Surprise packets of the season. Apparently took their preseason out of the gym and reintroduced themselves to the ball, and it has paid off handsomely. Thurston has been the form player of the early rounds and looks to be making a tilt at the Dally M again.

Sea Eagles - Winning more than they are losing and are playing with a real Hasler mentality. Not sure if they have the depth or petrol to last the season, Buhrer has been a revelation and looks like a long term find for the club.

Bulldogs - Purchased heavily in the off season and after getting away to a bolter, have come back to he pack in recent weeks. Will be looking to regain momentum in lead up to Origin and Test matches where they may lose a couple of players.

Knights - Rick Stone is on a hiding to nothing here and looks to be doing the best he can in the face of some fairly difficult news from a career advisory perspective. Results are going their way, but they may still be a couple of players short of really giving the premiership a shake.

Wests Tigers - Everybody's early season favourites have been a little inconsistent over the past couple of weeks and some of that can be put down to the horrific injury toll they have endured. Just when they think they have a really good excuse to lay down, they come out and beat up South Sydney. Cant afford many more injuries.

Sharks - Another surprise packet. After shocking the world by defeating the Dragons, the Sharks have played a good consistent brand of football based around their uncompromising forward pack. Unfortunately some lapses in concentration have cost them a higher position on the table.

Roosters - Just when you thought the Roosters had rid themselves of the off filed antics that had plagued them through the past couple of seasons a couple of players take it upon themselves to put all the focus back on their off field indiscretions. Desperate for some traction in the lead up to the rep season, Brian Smith will be hoping his best team can focus on more consistent performances on the field.

Warriors - TAB love this mob because they promise so much and deliver so little. Another team with a roster to die for and a home ground environment that should give them 10 points every time they play there, the Warriors have been disappointing in 2011. With the class of Mannering, Mateo, Inu and Hohia this team should still figure in a fight for the top 8 come Sept.

Rabbitohs - Another season, another false dawn. It just seems Souths are forever going to be the team that just couldn't get it right on the field. Which is unfortunate because they are the pride of the league off the field in 2011 with the leadership of Crowe and the administration positioning the club near the top of the NRL again in 2011.

Titans - Another side that has underachieved. With an ageing roster and pressure from other codes building, the Titans can ill afford consecutive lean years on the Gold Coast. Look for some consolidation though Origin and hopefully another strong run into the finals will allow them push for that elusive maiden premiership.

Panthers - Another big disappointment in 2011. After promising so much in 2010 with their second place finish, they were bundled out of the finals without a whimper and have started 2011 in the same manner. Inconsistency is their biggest issue at the moment.

Eels - New coach, new staff, new regime, same results. That doesn't sound right?! Unfortunately the new coach didn't arrive soon enough to be able to impact on the recruitment of players and it will be another year before his impact is felt properly. Look for a late run from these guys

Raiders - Definitely the biggest shock for 2011. The team that had a fairy tail finish in 2010, has spluttered and spurted to a 1 and 5 start for 2011. One or two big name recruits to bolster an already formidable outfit the Raiders have failed to deal with the lift in opposition intensity after the amount of physical bashings they dished out in 2010. Need a sharp injection of confidence if they are going to make any sort of challenge.