Before the Whistle: NRL Round 1 Predictions and Analysis

Music.

Where's the sign? Welcome ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Muttley Crew Studios. Here we are in the refurbished, renewed game room boulevard on the mirror table and we're fucking flying ladies and gentlemen. Refresh. I'm here with Kyle, Cody. How we doing Muttz on this lovely afternoon? I'm just trying to work out where this mirror table is that he keeps talking about. It's reflective. I'm just reflecting vibes and energy. Who's talking about it? My name's Jack, guys.

Did he say Jacob? Fuck off. My name's not Jacob. My name's Jake. Thank you. Tom. My name's Jeff. Hey, fishy. And here we go, boys. Are we ready? Fuck it. We're ready for some great Rubber League of 2024 in the great land of Australia. We are starting very soon. And we're starting off with the most- I thought we already started. Yeah. In the land of Australia. Don't you listen to what I'm saying. I try not to.

Fucking hell, we're starting here. And we're starting off with the blockbuster game of the round. The game that we're all waiting for. What are we skipping forward a couple of days, are we? Yeah. Couldn't be the Thursday night game. We're talking about the Thursday night game, baby. You're versing the Raiders. How blockbuster can it be? It's Newcastle Knights versus the Canberra Raiders at the mighty home of the Newcastle Knights at McDonald's James Stadium in Newcastle.

McDonald's James. James Stadium. Sorry, I thought they were playing at the McDonald's James Stadium.

And you're right. Where are we playing? Thursday night. Oh, red hot he is. Boys. He's talking about the story he's got for us later on. Yeah, he's already thinking about it. Newcastle, we're going for our seventh win in a row at our fortress, baby. We're going to keep the train rolling from 2023 to 2024, and I cannot see us losing this game. We're an informed team of trials. Not really. But we are. Not really, but we are. Our team is set.

We've got throbbers. We've had a best year ever last year for a long, long time. Was that pun intended? Best year ever? Well, it can be because best, oh, man, he's looking juicy. He's looking fit. He's looking tatted up to the max. He's looking like he's going to- Been to Bali, has he? No. He gets some local tattoos, I'm sure. I'm sure there's some new ones out there. Pong has got a couple more home jobs. He's looking hot.

He's looking bleached head. We've got some new English flavor who are fucking ripped out of their minds. We've got Dylan Lucas into the starting lineup, which I like. I want the Raiders to smash you so bad after the way you started talking about this game. Oh, man. Honestly, if the Raiders get the dub here, he is not going to hear about it for the next 24 weeks. I was tipping the Knights until you started talking, and now I just want the Raiders to win so bad. Honestly, he's talked me out of it.

I'm going to want to bet my hand, shake my hand, and if the Raiders beat Newcastle, I will buy. Man, I don't know where that hand's been. I don't know if I want to shake it. I will buy whatever you would like on Friday night. Whatever I will like. If you want to shake my hand and you get to buy me. Four bedroom, two bathroom. Nah, look, as much as I don't want the Knights to win, because I fucking hate hearing Jake talk about the Knights and how goody things they are.

It's only the Raiders. They'll win and he'll go off like they won the championship. It's like, brother, you beat the Raiders. I'm pretty sure they're one of the team's tip to beat the spoon. We're all tied on the same points now. We're even. No, no. There's already been two games. Mate, the Tigers are ahead of you. What are you chatting about? The Tigers are third. Good on them. They had a good win this other year. Manly's ahead of you. Talk about the Raiders right now. We're even.

Raiders and Newcastle both even on points on the ladder. Yeah, and you're chatting it up like the Knights are so much better. Confident. I'm just having a look at the stats here. The Raiders have only won five times at McDonald Jones in 19 attempts. Ouch. Yeah. Oh, that stat. Yeah, and I think it's going to be five out of 20. I don't think they're going to get the job done. But at the same time, I'm happy to lose a tip to see the Knights lose. Yeah.

It's the first round. I can make it up. Yeah. But I'm knocking in the Knights. I'm excited to see how Dylan Lucas and –. How the Knights use him. And if that Kai, Pierce, Paul, the triple first names goes coming off the bench and how they utilize him. And how many minutes they play. I know we're watching that super coach play. We're watching that minute rotation.

What they're doing is Frizzell playing the old 80 or they're going to put Lucas on the right end for a little while because it sounds like KPP is only left edge dominant and that's his spot. So maybe where Lucas we know is a bit more versatile and just more used to rugby league in Australia. Just a little tidbit. Another stat, man. No, not another stat, but you will want one dude from the Raiders to turn up today, though. Because just remember, you've got Tappany as your prop bet for the year.

So you wouldn't mind seeing him get through. He's my prop bet, but I'm not putting money on him this week. Fucking score. That's the whole point of it. You put money on him every week to see if he'd come away even. But I reckon Tappany's going to have a red-hot season, I think. I do agree with you on that one. But I'm also keen to see how Morgan Smithies goes. See if he can lock that position down. Old Smithies. I hope so, because I've jumped on him. I've got Tappan in my Supercoach team.

I'm hoping for some good games. And also eyes on the new players at Raiders. Ethan Strange starting on the 5'8". See how the young fella goes. They've given Kotrick and Savage another go on the wings. And we'll see how those two boys go. See if they can lock in those positions, which I doubt. Because they've been shit for the last few years. But they'll give it a crack. Well, one of them will probably make way for Seb Chris when he comes back. So it's probably a bit of a...

Because I think Hoppawattie will probably move back out to the wing when Seb Chris comes back. You'd have to assume. Though it's hard to assume what Ricky Stewart would do. So even though I'm really confident of the Knights, I'm loving there is actually a bit of pressure on us too, especially our halves, Gamble and Hastings. They need to perform every game. They've got Cogger there just nipping at his heels. He's even on the bench the first few games while Brayley's out.

And I think if they're not gelling well, Well, they're not moving around the team. They're not attacking well. We could have some changes. I personally think this is an absolute kick to the pants to Jack Hogger. Yeah. He just won a premiership, and now he can't even get a starting run at the Knights. Yeah. Yeah, it's who you know down at the Knights, mate. Yeah, that's it. Or is it who you blow, did you say? Yeah. Yeah.

You don't have to be able to play football. You can't just come to your team and expect to get a fucking starting spot, mate. You can't just come to a team expecting a starting spot when you're a fucking reserve player from another team. Just because you filled in well in the grand final, got a win. Oh, they win fucking 13 games in four years, and all of a sudden you've got to fucking earn your spot on that team. And you think we're going to change our halves. Fuck me.

Dead set, eh? You just said there's massive pressure on them. There is pressure. They haven't locked down their position. There is pressure. But you're not just going to jump them straight away first round of the season. Turn it up. Anyway, Cody, you got anything to say on who you're tipping this game? I've got the reaction I was after, so I'm happy. Yeah, full wind-ups. Nah, well, look, I'll be taking the Knights. As much as I want them to lose, you can't tip against them in this one.

The Raiders are just, there's got to be a lot, way too many things go right for the Raiders for them to get the win today. Tomorrow night, so. Sweet. Let's get to Friday, boys. We've got our first Friday night doubleheader, and Friday night is Muttley Crew watching football time, hopefully. And now we're going to be watching these games with clear eye, clear eyes, maybe not clear, but we'll be watching eyes. To get our MVP votes in for our... Oh, someone made himself laugh.

Someone found a little fucking tickly spot. Friday night, Dalliam. And let's start off well. We're going over the ditch. We're going to New Zealand, baby. And we're watching our second favorite teams, boys. All of them. I mean, only one of them because not the other team. Anyway, we've got the Warriors versus the Sharks in Auckland. Fucking hell. I'm glad he has nice conversations with himself. Yeah, I was going to say, he's taking our listeners on an absolute fucking journey.

I'm talking to myself, mate. Talking to whoever's sweet ears are there listening. If that's anyone. So do yourself. Basically. That's okay. That was a long trip for a shit view. That's why these mics need to stay. It feels like you're talking to someone with these mics. You get these little clip mics, I'm going to feel like I am talking to myself, but not with these mics, baby.

Anyway, we've got the Warriors versus the Sharks, and, man, I cannot wait to see RTS back in rubber league in a real game, playing center, ripping heads off, tackling people, running hard, stepping blokes. Is he left or right? He's on the right. I think he'll be on the right. No, Rocco Berry was on the right last year, wasn't he? He's going to be on the left edge. He's going to be on the left edge. I swear he was playing. Wasn't he playing

on the right in the trials? I think he was on the right in the trials. Left baby. They've got SJ, DWZ on the right. They've got RTS to the left. Bit of balance at the top. See, I reckon if they roll with RTS on that right-hand side, he's going up against Ramian. That's a good match-up. That'll be a good match-up. Yeah, Ramien's got a little bit more lateral movement than Talakai. See, I just think if they play him on the right with that whole fucking shift that Sean Johnson does...

Then it's two focus on one side. They're going to be fucking like Newcastle. Like every fucking team in the comp. Yeah, except they're opposite. Everyone goes left. These guys go right. But if you want to... That's why they score bulk points, because usually you put your shit of defenders on the left. Yeah. That's why the Rabbitohs had such a good start to last year because they started attacking the right and everyone's like, what the fuck?

That's not how this works. But no, I'm definitely keen to see Sean Johnson and see if he can continue his Dally M year from last year or what should have been a Dally M year. Some fuckwit. Yeah, some both have just turned up for 10 games. Yeah, bullshit. Got 60 points in 10 games. His team wins 10 games in a row and all of a sudden they're like, if I can crown him. Oh, well. He was the only bloke on the field, apparently.

You good, buddy? Fine. Usually, people bite their tongue and not stick it out. Talk about 2024. Talk about this year, we're talking about Warriors versus Sharks. Yeah. Well, I think this one's tough for me because the Warriors could either win comfortably. Or lose. I'll take that. Yeah, wow. Out of the two things that could happen, one of them could happen to them.

I feel like they could either win by 13-plus and do it fucking piss easy, or it could be a grind and the Sharks might actually take the dub. But I'm backing the Waz over in the home bush. And the trial form, they just look so clinical. They look probably like the best team. They look fucking fit. Oh, yeah. Sharks, we'll see how they go. It's going to be interesting to see how Hines and Trindle start. They really need to start clicking more and get that combination going.

I mean, they played together in the All-Star game. They looked all right.

Well so it'll try they've had a little bit of well if they bring that over the time if they bring that into the sharkies they were playing both sides of the the ruck too in all stars so, that could open up some new adventures for the sharkies should be a fucking red hot game, fucking hard tip of the worries too cody we were all going on the same team again, yeah nah i'm on the warriors anyway let's get to the wire chain get to the friday late game and

oh this should be another cracker we got top four faithfuls or you know where they spoke to be even though Cody has got the storm coming in bottom eight but we have the Melbourne Storm versus Panthers in Melbourne start the season and as we know the Storm have not lost in round one for a very long time. It's not happening again either. No. They're going on. Storm will win in it. Absolutely. Beating the Panthers. Tipping it here first. You heard it here first,

mate. I can't tip against this Panthers team. I find it so hard and I'm not going to do it now. I feel like they lost the World Club Challenge.

They're going to come back trying to get a win on the dub for the year. I think Luai's going to be playing. Munster, I don't think he's playing, man. I saw his interview the other day and he just didn't seem confident he's not playing. And if he's not playing, they're losing this round one stat. And all stats and records are meant to break. Okay, but you remember- We've been saying that the last few years, though, actually, and they keep fucking finding a way to win. Yeah, that's it, eh?

You remember last year, though, they lost the World Club Challenge in Australia, and then got upset by the Broncos in round one. Yeah. And they're not- This team's all about doing the same thing. But that was in Penrith. This is a different team, though. Different team. Different team. Worst team. They keep losing players. and they're versing Melbourne and Melbourne, who are not the Broncos yeah man I'm I like it.

I'm happy to take a tip off you though storm all the way bloody oath, Penrith for me even if even if Munster doesn't play I'm taking the storm taking the storm because Jonah Pezzet will come in for him and he's oh he's Munster what's the weather what's the weather looking like down there, looking pretty good nice summer typical Melbourne weather I was going to say if it's wet Panthers lose every time I don't think they've won a wet game in the last fucking four years.

That's only because the only wet games they played was against Parramatta. Shit. So you're taking the Panthers? Taking Panthers, yeah. Do you reckon? Okay, whatever. Let's get to Saturday. And I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinking these games maybe just go down a bit on the quality levels and maybe the expectation levels. But it's still first round, so I'm still looking forward to every game and new

teams and new combinations played. and Saturdays we start off with Paramount Eels versus the Doggies at Paramount Stadium. For me, I know they're trials, but Eels look so fucking good in their last trial. I think they're going to come out fast and hard and pump the Dogs. The Dogs, new team, so many new players, new combinations. I just think they're going to be just not all there and I just see Paramount are dominating them.

Ladgeson at halfback. I like it. Of course you do because he's a fucking Roosters player. Was. Because Jamin Salmon, Locke, yuck. Surely Josh Cohen got that spot. He didn't get it. Hey, that's quite the late grade fucking, what's his name?

Oh, fuck, it's his name. I don't know. You're telling the story. Sticky. Oh, yeah. Weak. No, don't say it. You can't say it. I thought for sure Sexton would get that after finishing last year. I thought it was pretty locked in before the trials. He was probably going to hit that starting seven, but I don't know. It should be – I'd still probably drop Burden to center, to be honest. If it doesn't start working out because Hacho could play the 5-8 and put Toby back at number 7.

But anyway, see, the doggies, I rate them a little bit this year. I don't reckon they'll make the 8, but they're going to start very slow. They've got the pieces there now, but with Blake Taff, he can still make some errors at the back, which can put your team under a bit of pressure. Their defense will get slightly better with having Croydon at center because he's one of the best defensive centers in the game.

But I just, I don't know if they're going to be able to get it done and get things clicking by round one and defeat this eel side. I agree with you. The dogs have a few better plays, better pieces, but I feel like their forwards are still very lacking and still missing a couple big forwards, and that's where Parramatta, they've got that experience there. They're red hot on the forwards. They've got everyone back. Sean Lane's back. Madison's back on the bench.

They've got their big dogs, and I just think they're going to dominate. Paulo's stripped down. He's about 10 kilos lighter or something. R2G's fucking big, like always.

Ogden I think is playing He's looking He looks really good In the In the trials They got Kelma Tugulagi now Ogden's not playing Who's your other front rower Playing for him Greg For the Who For Pama, Kelma Talangi Nah he's playing He's their sec He's their edge rower Well they've got Offen Gowie Offen Gowie's back in From Tigers He only had a couple games there But he's another Solid player But yeah Kelma looked really good In the

trials I'm worried how many minutes He's going to take off Sean Lane And maybe Cartwright But, He's fucking good. So, yeah, I just think that Eel's going to dominate their pack way too much. And at home too, where they love playing at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, yeah, I'm seeing a lot of points there. I reckon it could be a big game from Gutho. I reckon Gutho's going to have a big one. He's going to have a big one just

on a personal level because none of us on the draft can't pick him. Oh, yeah. We all left him out. Oh, we did too, eh? Yeah, not a single player picked him. I think he was the highest player left on the draft board was him.

Classic Man that's That's surprising I might have to I might have to go to the waivers Anyway yeah So I'm taking Parramatta obviously Use a lock in Parramatta too Or someone go on the upset, Nah I'll be on Parramatta Yeah I'm on Parra I would have liked to have taken the dogs But Also looking at the previous history The dogs haven't scored any more than 12 points In the last like 4 matchups against them Ouch It's um And the eels have posted Almost 30 points every time,

And let's get to the little Saturday night game Here at the Gold Coast Just down the road Maybe we'll go watch it. Not happening. We've got the Gold Coast Titans versus St. George Dragons. Head there after the cricket, mate. And fuck, this game is hard to choose for me, especially going off the trials. The Dragons looked actually pretty good, and the Gold Coast looked pretty shit.

Not great at all, to be honest. It's an easy tip for me, because I've got the Dragons not winning a single game all year, so I've just got to go against them every game. Oh, shit. Even though I was like... Yeah, they actually did look pretty good in the trials, But, again, it's trials. And they were diverse in the Tigers who weren't, I wouldn't say, full strength anyway. I feel like this is a fairly easy tip for me. I'm going with the Dragons.

Titans without David Fita. They'll lack that punch on that left-hand side.

And I think Jaden Campbell at fullback is a decent loss for them as well. They've got AJ, but he's going to play in the center. And he's going to take some time adjusting to that position as well. And then the Dragons, I still don't know. I hate trusting them. But Zach Lomax on the wing looked good. Moses Suley in that last trial game looked like a fucking beast, which he should be with the size he is and the position he plays.

And the last couple of times that the Dragons have versed the Titans early in the season, like in the first couple of rounds, they've won. So I'm taking the Dragons. No, I'm going to tip against the Dragons just because of my early season predictions. For me, I'm going to take the Titans. Big Tino on the back of Tino. He's going to carry them all the way. One of my favorite narratives coming out of this game, it's two premiership

coaches versing each other. We've got Desi and Flanagan, which is pretty cool. Hold on, are they not all premiership coaches? Premiership winning coaches. You're fucking kidding me. So maybe add that extra thing in to when you're saying shit. Obviously. But anyway, we've got Desi Hasler. The old female over here just says shit, and we've got to fill in the blanks and just know what he means. Best shit the listeners got what I meant. At least 40% of them. Guys...

Premiership teams have premiership coaches. Are you kidding me? Wow. Anyway, I can't wait. I think it's cool how we have Desi Hasler, manly great, coaching the Gold Coast Titans, and then Flanagan, who got the Sharks, their first premiership ever, coaching the Dragons. It's just cool. I like it. And I'm tipping Gold Coast to win this game. I think they're just going to get it over, done, at home.

Titans. And I know they're missing a couple of players like you mentioned, Kyle, but they've got Bo Furman back in, who I think they really missed last year, who I rate. Kitty Kiku or whatever his name, the fullback, I like. Keanu Kinney. Is that it? I thought there was a Kiki in there or something. Kiki, do you love me? I think I'm mixing it up with the Warriors fucking tour pick. Yeah, tour pick. But I like him at fullback too. He's no Jaden Campbell, but he's good.

And I think I like that they've got the young fella so they can keep Brimson at the center and just get used to that position. So yeah, let's get it. Sunday. Sunday. Only one game this Sunday. And oh, it's a cracker at Suncorp. What do you think about going, Cody, maybe? Any invites?

We've got fucking volleyball We said that I know Oh okay I know I'm just talking for the narrative Oh this is Oh yeah This is that Don't say the whole story And then we've got to figure it out Sort of stuff eh Because I would I would like to go too But I'm Go then I'm working Oh.

Maybe we should change our podcast name To Blankety Blanks Yeah Anyway we've got the draft If we don't know You don't know We have got the Queensland Derby Of the, Redcliffe No sorry Just the Dolphins versus the North Queensland Cowboys. And we're playing at Suncorp. They're going to get a good crowd here, boys, I reckon. 30, 40, that'd be good, maybe. I don't know. And for me, this is the biggest swing teams of the season. So I'm struggling to find, to tip this game.

But I also can't wait to watch this game just to see how these teams look. I'll tell you what, the Dolphins went a different way than I thought. Their lineups? Yeah, the big fellas, main man over here, Jared Wallace, didn't even get a crack. No. But Ewan Aiken didn't even get a crack. Jake Averillo. And they put Nick Arima at 5'8", instead of Katoa.

Tessie New getting the center spot over Averillo. Yeah, Tessie New must have had a big offseason because he was the world's fattest winger last year. That's why they moved him into the center, mate. Yeah, pretty much. Yeah, I was surprised with a couple of their selection choices,

but I suppose we'll see how it goes. Old Wayne Bennett obviously knows his way around a football team, so he must know something that we don't. I think he knows football a bit more than us, but maybe not by much. Anyway, so I'm tipping the Cowboys, I think. I think the Cowboys will be too good. I think they were the biggest disappointing team for me last year, and I think they're not going to do that again. They're going to have a statement game here.

Their lineup is stacked, man. I fucking love their team. And we know that they always have a hectic preseason with Todd Payton, so I think they're going to come out fitter, stronger, ready to go. And I can't wait to watch Lukey and NNI play in the edges. They're just hot boys. And, yeah, I'm going the Cowboys. Yeah, nice. I can't say that I'm going to go the Cowboys. I'm going the Dolphs. I'm going the Finns. The Dolphins. The Finns. I just think.

The Cowboys, I don't know what it is about them. They've got a red-hot team. Look at their team there. It's so good. I know. Holmes, Drinky. It hasn't really changed from last year. But how did they go last year? Not great. No, you're right. So I'm interested to see how Tomololo is going to play up front. I think it's better. I think that's a great move. Fucking run, mate. That's it. With Cotter going into the lock position and just doing his thing. And a dog. But just for me, Townsend.

Yeah, I don't know. I think he's at the end. I think he's done. So maybe he should go to the dogs. Maybe that's who needs to pick him up. I don't know. Good, and he can get put on the bench behind Hutchinson as well. Yeah, I just... Drink water is going to have to have a big game here, I think, if the Cowboys are going to get up. I want to mine some water, guy. Yeah, you definitely need to drink some water, mate. I can smell you from here.

Smells like Forex. And semen. Ah, yeah, look, I reckon I'll too be taking the boys, the cowboys. What? Get on the white bags with fucking Valentine Holmes. You're not taking the Finns. No, mate. Yeah, right. I'll be taking the Finns. You've got to finish in fifth, don't you? Hey, you have them finishing fifth for the year, didn't you? Yeah, they're going to win the last 13. Ah, this year's nights. He's done that, then he's hit the storm.

He's not making the eight. I don't know if he's looked at his ladder ever since he's made his ladder prediction. This bloke. Yeah, mate, it's the first round of the season. Yeah, the first round decides everything. No, he has stuck to the guns. He went Titans. He didn't hit the Dragons. No Dragons, you're right. No Dragons.