The NRL is back and we were treated to some fantastic clashes in Round 1.
Of course the weather played its part in the games as well but, let’s be fair, a little rain adds to the spectacle doesn’t it?
Every punter loves to look for trends, stats and information that they can try and turn into future profits and our 5 Lessons Learned series is here to help look through the numbers from the weekend that was.
1 – Storm Automatic in Round 1
At some point in the next few years, the rest of the NRL might start a petition to avoid playing the Melbourne Storm in Round 1 of the season.
For the 17th time in a row, the Victorian side were victorious in the opening round.
That streak began way back in 2002 (and suffered a brief interruption in 2004 with an opening round bye) and they have won in just about every imaginable fashion.
High scoring, low scoring, home, away these games have had it all but there is one common factor in this: defence.
In this streak their opponent has only scored more than 20 points only twice, the Sharks in Cronulla in 2003 and Manly in Manly in 2014.
Their average winning margin in those games is just over nine points per game and let’s be honest, the Storm will probably be favoured in Round 1 again next season.
2 – Under the Weather
Perhaps it was due to the attacking combinations still needing time to gel in full speed game situations, or perhaps it was the rain that lashed New South Wales and Queensland over the weekend but for most sides, points were at a premium.
Six of the eight games went under the total points line and four sides were held below ten points.
The highest score by a losing team was 16 by the Roosters in the Friday night feature.
With 259 points across the eight games at an average of 32.375 points per game, that was down on the 337 in Round 1 last season at 42.125 per game.
If the lines hover between 36.5 and 43.5 again for this weekend, the under might look to be a good play.
3 – Home Ground Advantage
From Thursday to Saturday, home was where you wanted to be.
Five of the six home sides won their clash with the lone away win coming from the Rabbitohs at the SCG against the Roosters.
The Eels and Raiders pulled something back for the visiting teams topping the Panthers and Titans and sending their fans home unhappy.
Last season the home teams went 6-2 in the opening round and perhaps unsurprisingly, only one team had a better away record in 2018 and that was the New Zealand Warriors, who travel to Campbelltown to face the Tigers this Sunday.
4 – Titans Blanked
The Titans claimed an unwanted piece of history yesterday becoming the first team to be shut out in Round 1 since they managed to blank the North Queensland Cowboys 18-0 in 2012.
Their cause wasn’t helped by some miserable weather at Robina and the late withdrawal of Ash Taylor.
The good news for the Titans is that North Queensland responded by winning in Round 2 after their shutout in 2012 and they visit the Sharks Saturday afternoon.
5 – Giddy Up for the Derby
If you aren’t excited for Friday night’s Queensland Derby at Suncorp Stadium, get excited now.
The Broncos and Cowboys always play tight games that go right down to the wire and we should be in for a very entertaining evening as Anthony Seibold coaches his first home game for the Broncos.
Last season the Broncos had an equal league best 9-3 record at home and would love to match that once again.