Ben Ikin ... 'Newcastle, Manly is going to be an absolute corker'. Source: News Limited
Fox Sports league expert Ben Ikin looks ahead to round three action in the NRL and picks out the five things he is most looking forward to.
Which of the 2012 grand finalists will come out on top when they face off again?
Des Hasler is going to use the fact that his team is understrength as a motivating factor heading in to this grand final rematch. Melbourne Storm just keep on keeping on. I was up at Townsville on Saturday night and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team be able to defend an error or make the most of good field position like the Storm did. They’re clinical, professional and just a complete footy side. Just when you think those big three couldn’t get any better, one of them just jumps out and shows improvement. Against the Cowboys it was Cooper Cronk. The Storm would be feeling good about life at the moment, but you can’t write off the Dogs. Des is such a clever and strategic coach. Wheeling out Benny Barba at training this week just made the narrative even richer. But it’s a grand final rematch. It’s the two best teams of 2012 and we get to see them go head to head early in 2013.
Whether the Titans young guns can compete with the Sea Eagles’ classy halves.
I can’t wait to see Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly and the Titans up against the team that’s been one of the benchmarks over the past half-decade. It’s going to be a huge test for the young halves. I can’t give John Cartwright and his coaches a big enough wrap for what they’ve been able to do after losing Scott Prince. I had the Titans in my bottom four this year solely off the back off Prince’s loss. But from what I’ve seen in the first two rounds, Cartwright deserves a lot of credit. But the Titans go up against the two best young halves in the comp this week in the shape of Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. This game will be a great yardstick for the Titans. They were really solid against the Raiders so there are good signs up north.
A battle of two under-fire sides and coaches
Everybody is coming for the Raiders and the Dragons at the moment. The two coaches are under pressure and they get to face off this weekend. Dave Furner and the Raiders will know that it was just a couple of narrow calls that cost the Dragons against the Broncos last weekend. The Dragons weren’t as bad as everyone thinks they were. Conversely for the Raiders, they were. But if any team has the ability to turn around a performance in a week, it’s the Raiders. If you get the Raiders team in the right mood, particularly at home, they can put points on the board quickly. In the last five years, only two sides have made the finals after starting the season 0-3, so there’s plenty on the line in this one.
Who out of the Cowboys and Knights can bounce back from a big loss better?
I can’t wait for this one. Both teams got taught a lesson last weekend against the two best teams of the last few years and both are better than what they showed in their losses. Most people have the Cowboys and Knights to make the top eight so it will be two finals contenders coming up against each other on the back of heavy losses. There should be plenty of spice in it. Johnathan Thurston was brilliant against the Storm and will be looking to continue that.
Benji Marshall back to his glittering best?
I thought he was average in round one and I was really worried for him. He looked like he was being weighed down and like he wasn’t enjoying his footy. But against the Panthers, he looked like he had his spring back in his step. He’s one of my favourite players. He just puts a smile on my face. Because he plays such an exciting brand of football, when his head’s not in the game he’s off. Last week he showed glimpses he’s turned a corner. When he gets going, there’s probably not a more entertaining player in our game. He'll be up for it against Parramatta this weekend. Keep an eye on Benji. His form could be ominous for other teams.
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