Round Two NRL Insights: Draw Quirk and Cyclone Disruptions Take a Toll on the Dolphins

Tipsters are favouring the Knights to secure a flawless 2-0 start to their season, particularly as the Dolphins grapple with an unfortunate beginning, intensified by a curious scheduling peculiarity.

After their home fixture in round one against the Rabbitohs was relocated to Sydney last week due to the looming arrival of Cyclone Alfred, the Dolphins will have to endure a second consecutive week away from home, facing Newcastle on a six-day turnaround for Thursday night’s opening match of round two.

Having two interstate matches back-to-back presents a daunting challenge for any team, and with the Dolphins also sidelined without several key forwards due to injuries, Kristian Woolf’s men find themselves under significant pressure.

“It’s intriguing that the Dolphins are on the road again for a second week, with a six-day turnaround; that will undoubtedly have an impact on them,” Andrew Johns remarked on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth’s Tips.

“They’re also without a few players, including both back-rowers, (Kulikefu) Finefeuiaki and (Connelly) Lemuelu, which are significant losses,” responded Brad Fittler.

Johns concurred, asserting that those two absences were “major losses,” noting how this contrasts with the rise of Knights’ back-rower Dylan Lucas, who performed outstandingly in round one after being selected for representative duty at the end of the last season in the Prime Minister’s XIII.

Both Johns and Fittler opted for the Knights to clinch victory, a sentiment echoed unanimously by Nine’s other tipsters, though Fittler did manage to unveil a glimmer of optimism for the Dolphins based on team selection.

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“Despite being short on troops, they’re welcoming back Kodi Nikorima, who could provide the creativity they need to stay competitive,” said Fittler.

Nikorima was one of three Dolphins who missed the round one fixture against the Rabbitohs due to family commitments while preparing for the cyclone.

Nikorima’s wife, Bree, had expressed her disapproval of the NRL’s choice to relocate the round one game rather than postpone it, describing the move as “disgusting” in a social media post she later deleted.

Scroll down for the latest leaderboard and Round 2 predictions from Nine’s expert analysts!

Andrew Johns: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Brad Fittler: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Darren Lockyer: Dolphins, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Bulldogs

Danika Mason: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Johnathan Thurston: Knights, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Panthers, Cowboys, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Paul Gallen: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Ruan Sims: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Bulldogs

Mat Thompson: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Titans

Peter Psaltis: Dolphins, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Titans

David Middleton: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

Michael Chammas: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs

The Mole: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Bulldogs

Ben Glover: Knights, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs