Four rounds of NRL have been played with just two teams unbeaten so far this season.
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In this week’s At The Bar, Michael ‘Speedy’ Stratton and The Area News’ Ben Jaffrey discuss the NRL premiership.
Ben: We’re a month into the NRL season now and the Roosters and Storm are unbeaten and on top of the ladder. Does that surprise you at all?
Speedy: Definitely not. The Roosters played Souths on Thursday and while the Roosters are a top side, Souths played that badly they made them looks like world beaters.
Ben: What’s going wrong over in Redfern, mate?
Speedy: I don’t think big Slammin’ Sam is a captain. They should give it to either Robbie Farah or Adam Reynolds because they’re organisers. I think it affects big Sam’s game.
Ben: That can’t be their only problem, though.
Speedy: No, the way the whole side is playing they wouldn’t beat the Tabbita Terriers and they haven’t had a run in 75 years.
Ben: I didn’t expect them to go well this year but someone we both thought would were the Roosters. Are they the real deal?
Speedy: They’re there. All you can do is win and that’s what they’re doing. Melbourne are doing the same. They lose players left, right and centre and just bring in other players who do the job.
Ben: Smith, Cronk and Slater play a big part in that. Every year, I think they’re a year older and I think they’re going to wane but they don’t.
Speedy: They’ll be playing until they’re 40.
Ben: They’re like a fine wine.
Speedy: I’ve tried a lot of wines in my time.
Ben: I’m sure you have. 2014 would be your favourite vintage, wouldn’t it?
Speedy: What a year that was.
Ben: Let’s stick in 2017, though.
Speedy: Righto, a side that’s going to be tough to beat will be Penrith. A lot of people don’t take much notice of them but they’ve got the side that can win it.
Ben: They have their admirers, don’t worry about that. They put on a clinic against Knights who would have had a bit of confidence heading into that game. For you, are there any surprises in the eight?
Speedy: Yes, Manly. As long as that Tom Trbojevic keeps going, they’ll go alright.
Ben: It’s early but I can see him in a sky blue jersey this year.
Speedy: He’d hold his own.
Ben: Imagine him on a wing and James Tedesco and maybe even Matt Moylan in the same side. I’d like to see that.
Speedy: Trbojevic can score from anywhere on the field. He’s a freak. I wish it was State of Origin time already.