We are 6 weeks into the 2012 NRL season and what a start it has been. The “premiership favourites” have only won their first round clash and have had 5 straight losses, while on the other hand, down south of the border, the Melbourne Storm are undefeated.

It can be asked, who made the Wests Tigers favourites and why? Their 2011 campaign came to an end in the 77th minute of a semi final against the Warriors and they have had major shifts in key positions, yet still somehow the boys from Concord were tipped to be prime contenders. Some may argue that it is only round 6 and they will come good, but I wish to ask why put such taglines on teams before the season has even started? Injuries have plagued the team with rookie fullback James Tedesco out for the season with an ACL injury he sustained in Round 1. Gareth Ellis, Keith Galloway and now Chris Heighington have all spent time on the sideline as well as Farah being out due to suspension. Everyone knows the Tigers prefer to be the underdogs and have struggled since been given the tagline “favourites”. Currently sitting 14th on the ladder, I doubt many people are sticking by that term. Let’s hope this means they can get back to playing their best and let their football do all the talking because if there is any team that can come back and win 10 in a row to make the top 8, its the Wests Tigers.

Which brings me to the Melbourne Storm. Week in week out they produce a solid 80 minute effort and are deservedly sitting in 1st place on the ladder. But no one wants to praise them when its due. It’s almost expected and people just move on to criticizing struggle teams like the Parramatta Eels or the Titans. The Storm should be commended on their efforts and I hope they are there in the finals.

Flying under the rader are the Brisbane Broncos. Anthony Griffin has done an outstanding job with a team who has to look toward the future without a legend of the club and the game itself. With only 1 loss out of 6 games, the Broncos may just be the dark horse who will end up fighting for a spot in the final.

In saying all this, I believe that we are still quite early into the season and that anything can happen. The Storm and the Broncos have been stand outs but the other 14 teams have been too inconsistent to place just yet. I think this is evident through most people’s poor tipping scores so far.

Without a doubt, the best football of the season is yet to come. The Tigers will find their mojo, Jarryd Hayne will bring out the Hayne Train and ‘the Beast’ will score hatricks. After all, it has only been 6 weeks. 

Anji

Image courtesy of Zimbio