SNAPSHOT OF ROUND ONE OF THE NRL:
THEY SAID IT: “It was like he was playing against under-7s.” – South Sydney lock JOHN SUTTON on Greg Inglis’ hat-trick against Sydney Roosters in the season opener at ANZ Stadium.
MAGIC MOMENT: Ben Barba was the main focus ahead of Brisbane’s clash at Canterbury. Any nerves he had were quickly dispelled with his first touch when he gathered, shimmied, stepped and made a 30-metre break leaving four of his former teammates in his wake.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Gareth Widdop. Questions were asked about whether the England international could be a success away from Melbourne following his big-money move to St George Illawarra. Eight goals and a man-of-the-match performance against Wests Tigers proved he may just be worth that $500,000 a season contract.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Cameron Smith’s match-winning extra-time field goal was his maiden first-grade one-pointer in his 262nd NRL game, equalling the club record of former Storm stalwart Matt Geyer.
INJURY UPDATE: Souths: Dylan Walker (foot), Manly: Brett Stewart (hamstring); Dragons: Jack de Bellin (leg) Michael Witt (shoulder), Tigers: Liam Fulton (concussion); Knights: Darius Boyd (hamstring), Kurt Gidley (concussion), Tyrone Roberts (concussion).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Manly: Justin Horo (high tackle); Roosters: Sonny Bill Williams (shoulder charge), Anthony Minichiello (dangerous contact); Brisbane: Andrew McCullough (high tackle), Martin Kennedy (high tackle).
TALKING POINT: Where are the crowds? Seven first-round games in Sydney failed to get the punters through the gates. Is the game too good a TV product to get the turnstiles clicking?
UNDER PRESSURE: Mick Potter went into this season knowing his future was under threat – he won’t feel any more secure after the Wests Tigers were smashed 44-24.