Missing some key personnel, Manly barely put up a fight against a Roosters team that rarely had to get out of first gear.<\/p>\n
Losing in round one immediately puts the heat on a team<\/a> – and it's a feeling Manly know all too well.<\/p>\n Coach Des Hasler is already under pressure<\/a>, particularly in the light of some strange selections.<\/p>\n Contrast Manly's round one record to the Storm, who have their first game for 20 straight seasons – one of the most remarkable feats in modern rugby league.<\/p>\n They turn 35 in a few months – and some thought the Morris twins were playing one season too long in 2021.<\/p>\n It took just 80 minutes to prove the doubters wrong at the SCG on Saturday night, however.<\/p>\n Brett was amazing, scoring three tries<\/a>, overtaking the great Andrew Ettingshausen as the fourth highest tryscorer in the game's history in the process as he took his career tally to 168.<\/p>\n Brother Josh wasn't quite as dominant, but was the ultimate professional – as always – and scampered over for the final try of the Roosters' big win over Manly.<\/p>\n Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett was one of the best running halfbacks\/five-eighths of the modern era – and his magic already looks to be rubbing off on new recruit Kyle Flanagan.<\/p>\n In a well-beaten team<\/a>, Flanagan created all three of his team's tries and looked a far more mature player than the one the Roosters ultimately cut late last year.<\/p>\n Sadly, Flanagan's halves partner Jake Averillo must have missed the message on taking on the line over the summer.<\/p>\n Averillo went through the match against the Knights without making a single run, finishing with zero metres – a nightmare for any SuperCoach punters who had him in their line-ups.<\/p>\n The youngster can play – but clearly suffered a bad case of stage fright in the season opener.<\/p>\n Ryan Papenhuyzen had some critics wondering if he is now the best fullback in the game after his stunning two-try effort in the season-opener for Melbourne against Souths.<\/p>\n The pocket rocket was dynamic, terrorising the Rabbitohs out wide as the Storm scored an upset win.<\/p>\n But 48 hours later, James Tedesco rose to the challenge, scoring a hat trick in his first hit-out of the season against a disappointing Manly.<\/p>\n He's still No.1 – but Papenhuyzen is keeping him honest.<\/p>\n Injury ravaged his past two seasons – but a change of colours may just see Ryan James return to his best in 2021.<\/p>\n The big man looked a player on a mission in his Canberra debut against Wests Tigers yesterday – and may just give the Raiders that extra edge to end their title drought in recent years.<\/p>\n The former Titans skipper was superb up the middle, scoring a try and adding thrust off the bench.<\/p>\n As he gets more match fitness, he will have an even greater presence and shapes as one of the buys of the year.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
MORRIS TWINS STILL DEFYING AGE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
BARRETT-FLANAGAN LOOKING THE GOODS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
PAPENHUYZEN KEEPING TEDESCO HONEST<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
JAMES COULD BE BUY OF THE YEAR CONTENDER<\/strong><\/h2>\n