TITANS OFF TO HORROR START WITH MORE PAIN IN SIGHT

One at the top, another dead last. We’re a month into the NRL season and the Queensland clubs are a mixed bag of results.

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins are riding high at the top of the table while Des Hasler’s Gold Coast are in a world of trouble at the bottom of the table while it’s been hot and cold for the Broncos and Cowboys.

We take a look at the first four rounds and what’s to come for the Dolphins, Cowboys, Broncos and Titans as they build into the season.

How do they rate based on expectations so far?

DOLPHINS

1st, Pts: 6 (played 3, won 2, lost 1, bye 1), F: 86, A: 57 Up next: Tigers (h), Broncos (a), Eels (a), Knights (h)

They started the season with a big loss to the Cowboys, but a bye and two tough wins against the Dragons and Titans landed the Dolphins unexpectedly at the top of the NRL ladder.

Last year was a similar start for them before injuries took their toll throughout the year. They’re already dealing with a few though, with Anthony Milford (hamstring), Connelly Lemuelu (knee) and Tom Gilbert (ACL) all sidelined.

Rising young forward Max Plath is also looking at two weeks on the sidelines if he takes an early guilty plea for a dangerous tackle on Titans winger Phillip Sami on Saturday. Former Broncos Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth have settled in nicely under Bennett and had too much class for the Titans last weekend.

So far the Dolphins are on par with expectations, if not beating them slightly, but they’ll get a real test in the coming weeks against Brisbane and the Eels. Casualty ward: Anthony Milford (hamstring, TBC), Connelly Lemuelu (knee, Round 6) and Tom Gilbert (knee, season)

REPORT CARD RATING: B+

COWBOYS

3rd, Pts: 6 (played 4, won 3, lost 1), F: 122, A: 100 Up next: Titans (h), Eels (a), Sharks (a), Panthers (h)

It’s been a topsy-turvy start to the campaign for Todd Payten’s men after a disappointing season in 2023. A big win over the Dolphins kick started the season, but they only sneaked past the Knights by a point, flogged the Dragons and then were stunned by the injury-hit Broncos 38-12 in the traditional Queensland derby on Friday night. The errorriddled performance was called a reality check by Payten, and in the coming weeks they’ll need to rebuild the basics to get back on track in some big games. They face the Titans in Townsville on Sunday but it’s a difficult run thereafter against the Eels and Sharks in Sydney, followed by hosting Penrith at home. With the class of Tim Dearden, who is stating his case as the Queensland’s best No. 6, and fullback Scott Drinkwater, the Cowboys have plenty of star power. But North Queensland can do better, and that’s the

biggest source of frustration around this team. Casualty ward: Heilum Luki (ankle, round 9), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles, midseason) and Coen Hess (knee, season)

REPORT CARD RATING: B

BRONCOS

12th, Pts: 4 (played 4, won 2, lost 2), F: 88, A: 84 Up next: Storm (a), Dolphins (h), Raiders (h), Tigers (a)

Injuries have decimated the Broncos to start the season with Adam Reynolds (knee) and Brendan Piakura (ankle) missing time, and superstars Reece Walsh (facial fracture) and Payne Haas (knee) both sidelined for several weeks.

As a result, the 2023 grand finalists have had a rocky month with losses to the Roosters and Penrith paired by encouraging victories against the Rabbitohs and the Cowboys on Friday night.

Haas is expected back to face the Tigers in Round 8, while Walsh is back training and pushing to return for the Round 6 clash with the Dolphins. It makes for a huge clash against Melbourne on Thursday night, with the Storm coming off a bye.

TITANS

Last, Pts: 2 (played 3, won 0, lost 3, bye 1), F: 18, A: 90 Up next: Cowboys (a), Raiders (a), Sea Eagles (h), Warriors (a)

Most expected better from a Hasler-led side and pressure will continue to ramp up on him if they can’t chalk up a win soon. The honeymoon is well and truly over for Hasler. The first month of the season could not have been worse for the club.

In three games they’ve been outscored four tries to 16 and lost their best player and captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to an ACL injury for the rest of the season. Jayden Campbell and David Fifita both returned to the field from injuries against the Dolphins, which was their most encouraging performance yet.

However, the next four weeks don’t get any easier, facing the Cowboys in Townsville, Raiders in Canberra, Sea Eagles back on the Gold Coast and then high flying Warriors over in Auckland.

Hasler is under pressure to quickly sort out plenty of things, in particular, the team’s attack, which at the moment is spearheaded by veteran fiveeighth Kieran Foran and 23year-old halfback Tanah Boyd. Calls for Queensland fullback AJ Brimson to be shifted into the halves or into the No. 1 jersey are coming thick and fast – at the moment he’s unhappy in the centres where he is making no impact on the game.

Casualty ward: Keenan Palasia (quad, TBC) Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee, season)

REPORT CARD RATING: F