Defensive effectiveness can be measured in many ways. NRL.com takes a look at which teams and players had the best defence in Round 1 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
The Melbourne Storm conceded the least points in Round 1, allowing just one try in their 12-6 win over the Bulldogs at Belmore on Friday night. The Storm made 351 tackles – the equal fifth most tackles in Round 1. The Bulldogs made 319 tackles – the sixth most of the round.
The Storm missed 31 tackles, for a tackle effectiveness of 91 per cent, while the Bulldogs missed 23 tackles for a tackle effectiveness of 93 per cent.
Also with a tackle effectiveness of 93 per cent in Round 1 were the Newcastle Knights. The Knights made 357 tackles in their 26-22 loss to the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday – the third most tackles of a team in Round 1.
The team with the best tackle effectiveness was the St George Illawarra Dragons with 96 per cent, but they only had to make 298 tackles – the fifth least of the round – in their big 42-10 win over the Panthers.
A special mention to the Manly Sea Eagles who defended their tryline stoically for a 13-minute period in the second half, repelling four repeat sets in a row from the Eels.
Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend played all 80 minutes of his side's 32-18 win over the Titans and made the most tackles of any player in the NRL in Round 1 with 59 tackles. Friend missed just three tackles in an amazing defensive performance.
Manly's Jake Trbojevic also only missed three tackles in his side's 20-12 loss to the Eels, making 51 tackles – the second most by an individual in Round 1.
The most effective tackler of Round 1 was Newcastle lock Mitchell Barnett who made 49 tackles with no misses. A 100 per cent tackling success rate.
Dragons hooker Cameron McInnes and Knights forward Jamie Buhrer also had a 100 per cent tackle success rate in Round 1, making 43 and 42 tackles respectively.