Matty Johns: NRL power structure being rewritten by new order

After two gutsy wins, the Broncos exhaled against the Cowboys. It was a result not many saw coming - and that’s part of the problem. Matty Johns has his say on the Brisbane strategy.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Jarome Luai of the Panthers reacts during the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Penrith Panthers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 18, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The 2022 competition will be far tighter than those of recent years.

The top teams have lost some player depth and quality, while most sides below have recruited cleverly.

But, crucially, those teams below are forming their own style of football, not trying to reproduce a watered-down version of the Melbourne Storm.

There are two interesting games on Friday night.

Cronulla and Newcastle, two teams who represent the new emerging order. The other, South Sydney and Penrith, two clubs fighting for status quo.

And then you have Brisbane on Saturday, a team who was taught a harsh lesson last week on what they need to do to win games this season.

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LESSON FOR THE BRONCOS

After two gutsy wins, the Broncos exhaled against the Cowboys last Sunday.

In front of a huge crowd and with three wins from their opening three games beckoning, no one saw a 38-12 loss coming, including the Broncos … that was part of the problem.

It was the Cowboys’ best performance in recent memory, but there’s no doubt, given the nature of Brisbane’s performance, they underestimated their great rivals.

The Cowboys were more desperate, more energised, they won the yardage game, they won the physical exchanges.

There was a time when the star-studded Broncos could turn up, play well below themselves and still find a way to win.

Last week this Brisbane team learnt that to win they need to be close to their best every week.

The club is building toward some good years in the near future but for the moment, victory will come from fight, not flair.

Dale Finucane has brought some much needed focus to the Sharks. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

NO SURPRISES WITH SHARKS

I saw them on paper as the team most capable of breaking into the top four, and now I’m even more confident.

A quality new coach at the forefront of a changing game, very clever recruiting and a lot of great youngsters on the rise.

Dale Finucane’s leadership is already having an effect. Last year the young Cronulla forwards were explosive but inconsistent, whereas they now look focused and polished.

The creatives are operating beautifully, Moylan has found his best, Blayke Brailey is about to peak as a dummy-half, Will Kennedy has as good an attacking instinct as anyone in the competition, while Nicho Hynes is making it all work. His transformation from utility to chief of attack has been masterful.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon is living up to the hype, Cronulla’s desperation in defence shows a most crucial element in attaining success, the players want to win for their coach.

Jarome Luai and the Panthers face their toughest season. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

PANTHERS HEADED FOR TOUGHEST SEASON

The young Panthers are already finding out how difficult a back-to-back campaign is. Each week every opponent is primed, to win you have to be at your best. You’re like a boxer who at the beginning of every round faces a fresh new fighter.

An example was their round-two victory over the Dragons, of which they paid a heavy price.

The Dragons totally ambushed the Premiers, inflicting injuries on key men with raw aggression.

A week later the same damaging Dragons pack took a night off and let Cronulla roll completely over the top of them.

Teams peak for the Premiers.

There’ll be no rest for the Panthers in 2022. It’s only round four but Penrith look a bit beaten up at the moment. Nathan Cleary’s return is a huge boost and timely, because Penrith are vulnerable at the moment.

This will be one of the toughest seasons of these young players’ careers.

Cody Walker (K) and Latrell Mitchell (C) provide the attacking spark and forwards like Keaon Koloamatangi provide the grunt. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

BUNNIES ON THE BOIL?

I can’t work out Souths yet. They are tinkering with their style, trying to work out the right formula which suits the new combinations.

The Bunnies were super impressive last Friday but they always get up for the Roosters, let’s see if they can repeat the quality and effort of the performance.

Great to see them get back to more centrefield football. Power running and fast play-the-balls allowed Damien Cook to return to the spotlight.

Latrell’s power and presence gave the team some much needed swagger while Cameron Murray put in a performance which won’t be bettered by any player this season.

Cook, Cody, Latrell and Murray, that’s a lethal creative circle. The forwards just need to win the yardage battle.

Friday night the battle of the thirteens is where it’s at. Cam Murray v Isaah Yeo. Two of the most intelligent middle men in the game. I can see Souths upsetting Penrith tonight.

Matty admits he totally underestimated new Knight Adam Clune. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

THE KNIGHTS ARE A BIG SURPRISE

I’ll confess, I had fears for their season.

I couldn’t get my head around allowing Mitchell Pearce to leave for France. The Knights’ win/loss record with him at halfback convinced me he had to see out the final year of his contract.

The mail was Luke Brooks had agreed to terms, but then of course it didn’t happen.

On paper I saw an over-reliance on Kalyn Ponga, and not enough experience, leadership and creativity in the halves.

I totally underestimated Adam Clune, his intelligence and calmness has given the attack direction and confidence. On the attack, Andrew Johns’ impact is clear to see, he has simplified the sequences and loosened the structure.

Clune and Joey are proving a great combination, and in turn Jake Clifford is finally realising his potential.

In Dane Gagai they’ve got the team leader they were desperate for, a great communicator, the bigger the stage the better he performs.

If Newcastle aren’t reduced to 12 men, I believe they beat Penrith last week, and they are doing it without Kalyn Ponga.

My thinking around Newcastle has changed from seeing them mid-table at best, to being able to not just make the finals, but have an impact.