An absolutely disastrous summer as far as public relations are concerned is, at last, over for the NRL.
With a seemingly never-ending series of misbehaviour and transgressions by players during the “off season” everyone from administrators to the now disenchanted fans are sighing with relief that the action will be returning to the field.
Fortunately there are two “marquis” clashes in the first round.
The first of these is the encounter between the rather disappointing Melbourne Storm against the “new look” Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday.
Then following the clash on Friday between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters meet the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
THURSDAY
Melbourne Storm def by Brisbane Broncos by 8pts
FRIDAY
Newcastle Knights def Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks by 12pts
Sydney Roosters def South Sydney Rabbitohs by 16pts
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors def Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs by 16pts
West Tigers def Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles by 4pts
North Queensland Cowboys def by St George Illawarra Dragons by 10pts
SUNDAY
Penrith Panthers def by Parramatta Eels by 24pts