Whether you got off to a flier in are already rethinking your strategy after round one, it is well worth taking a look at who the experts at NRL.com team are tipping before settling on your selections for round two.
Brett Kimmorley's previews and all the tips:
Dragons v Rabbitohs, Thursday 7.50pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: There is no Jason Taumalolo for the Dragons to worry about this week, but can they handle South Sydney’s forward pack? If they can do that the Hunt-Norman-Widdop combination can continue to develop. As for Souths, I’m looking forward to Adam Reynolds repeating the skills he showed last week. Souths were very good against the Roosters. Dragons by 2
Raiders v Storm, Friday 6pm at GIO Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Raiders have gone for a more mobile forward pack this year. Josh Papalii was wonderful for them last week. The battle of beating the Storm starts in the forwards and the Raiders need to win that. As for Melbourne, they played a different brand of football last week. Sometimes Cameron Smith was standing at halfback, it was really entertaining to watch. It will be interesting to see if they keep chancing their arm. Storm by 6
Broncos v Cowboys, Friday 6.55pm (7.55pm AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Bret Kimmorley says: The Broncos didn’t get off to the start they wanted against Melbourne. Let’s look for them to start faster this week. I still have some thoughts on Anthony Milford as a five-eighth. I’d love to see him just running the ball and forgetting about structure. The Cowboys had the wrecking ball in Jason Taumalolo last week. The key to stopping him is probably forcing him to make some tackles. That might slow him down. Broncos by 4
Sharks v Titans, Saturday 3pm at Shark Park
Brett Kimmorley says: If Cronulla make less mistakes than last week and build a bit more pressure, that'll bring Shaun Johnson into the match a bit more. He gets the chance to play at home for the first time. I’m looking forward to seeing how Johnson and Josh Dugan bounce back this week. As for the Titans, the key is probably who they have to play in the halves. Already, unfortunately for the Titans, they probably won't know who will be playing in those positions until later in the week. They key for them is to play basic football. Sharks by 8
Knights v Panthers, Saturday 5.30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Newcastle were great in completion rate and energy, and Mitchell Pearce controlled things with a great kicking game. I think David Klemmer is the leader and key for the Knights. If Klemmer keeps repeating that form, Mitchell Pearce can control things with a nice kicking game. Penrith hurt themselves last week with a bit of poor ball control and ill-discipline. If they can get themselves in front early it will really help. Knights by 2
Sea Eagles v Roosters, Saturday 7.35pm at Lottoland
Brett Kimmorley says: The hard part for Manly at the moment is that they have key players not available. Api Koroisau, Kane Elgey and Daly Cherry-Evans – they are the players that are really important for Manly, they have to be a lot more creative this week. For the Roosters, it is important that Latrell doesn’t go down that path of being easily baited. The only thing he needs to worry about is his job for the team – which is to score tries, run over people and defend his space. Roosters by 10
Bulldogs v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm at ANZ Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: It was a tough outing for Canterbury. It was a bit of a lesson for Lachlan Lewis – the big reality check for him was all the time he had last year was taken away. As much as their whole team is on notice as far as the physicality battle goes, Lewis needs to take control of the game along with Kieran Foran. The Eels were very good last week. Mitchell Moses played nice and straight, nice and direct. The young No.6 and No.9 (Dylan Brown and Reed Mahoney) were really good. Eels by 8
Wests Tigers v Warriors, Sunday 6.10pm at Campbelltown Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: This is the game I’m most excited about watching. Robbie Farah tucked the Tigers under his arm and built that composure and pressure for Wests Tigers against Manly. They played wet weather football with some good game management from the No.9. The Warriors had the same level of game management from Blake Green in their win over the Bulldogs. They have found a new five-eighth in Adam Keighran who took over from Shaun Johnson and did well. Warriors by 2
