Sharks v Broncos: Five things we learned at Southern Cross Group Stadium

BEN Hunt will be hunted, Darius Boyd’s still got it and Jayden Brailey makes the grade. Here’s five things we learned from the season opener.

THE 2017 NRL season is underway and Brisbane have drawn first blood, downing Cronulla 26-18 at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Here’s five things we learned from the match.

1) Boyd is still very good

This isn’t something we learned because anyone who watched footy last year already knows just how good Darius Boyd is, but it bears repeating. The new Brisbane skipper was in fine touch as ever, setting up the first try of the season with a gorgeous cut-out pass to Jordan Kahu and another fine ball for Corey Oates, but it was the little things that stood out. Boyd led the kick chase on several occasions, his positional play was sublime and he hustled hard out of marker whenever he made a tackle. Matching 2016 will be a tough ask for Boyd, but he got off to the right start.

MATCH CENTRE: SHARKS V BRONCOS STATS, SUPERCOACH SCORES

PLAYER RATINGS: WHO STARRED, STRUGGLED FOR SHARKS, BRONCOS?

ANALYSIS: OLD BOYS LOSING TOUCH? NOT ON THIS EVIDENCE

MATCH CENTRE: SHARKS V BRONCOS STATS, SUPERCOACH SCORES

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2) Brailey’s got some game

Replacing Michael Ennis, one of the Sharks’ most valuable players during their run to the title, was always going to be a big ask. Jayden Brailey has the pedigree and the wraps, but the rookie hooker had a fine debut match. In 60 minutes of play held his own defensively, making 30 tackles, but also gave great service and showed flashes of the attacking skill that has Cronulla so excited about his future.

Jayden Brailey had a fine NRL debut for the Sharks. Picture: Gregg Porteous

3) Hunt will be hunted

The pressure on Ben Hunt this season will be unlike anything he’s copped in his entire career. A big-money switch to the Dragons in 2018 means Hunt’s every move will be scrutinised to the nth degree and anything less than the best will be decried. On Thursday, he had an unhappy night, making a couple of very visible errors and lacking the touch on his kicking game that has eluded him throughout his career. We’re only a game in, we can’t stress that enough, but Hunt has to get his act together sharpish.

Ben Hunt had a tough night for the Broncos.

4) Brisbane have found their goalkicker

You don’t know how good it is to have a bad kicker until you have a good one. Corey Parker was adequate from the tee in his final years but Brisbane have themselves an absolute deadeye in Jordan Kahu. He kicked five goals from as many attempts, many from wide out, and struck the ball like old school Tiger Woods.

5) Stay away from panic station

It’s the first game of the year, but that won’t stop some from proclaiming the Sharks chances of going back to back dead in the water. They may have lacked some attacking rhythm and some defensive steel, but there’s a long way to go yet. Despite Gerard Beale getting on the scoresheet, the return of Valentine Holmes would be a very welcome addition — his speed and acceleration around the ruck will change Cronulla’s attack entirely.

Originally published as Sharks v Broncos: Five things we learned at Southern Cross Group Stadium