The first game of the 2018 NRL season is done and dusted, but how did each player fare? Our experts rate each player from the Dragons and Broncos in their first hit-out of the regular season.

St George Illawarra Dragons

18. Matthew Dufty

Electric with the ball in hand, chiming in around the backline and busting through 7 tackles. Looms as a real x-factor for the Saints in 2018. 7/10

2. Nene Macdonald

Solid without being spectacular. Will be a target all season for the boots of Hunt and Widdop. 6/10

3. Euan Aitken

Proved a real handful for Jordan Kahu and was rewarded for a busy performance with a try in the 2nd half. 7/10

4. Tim Lafai

Much more action took place on the right side of the field, meaning Lafai and Macdonald were kept pretty quiet. 5/10

5. Jason Nightingale

The Dragon’s favourite son had a mixed night, scoring an acrobatic try at the end of the match but made a costly error earlier on. Kept busy running for 138 metres. 6/10

6. Gareth Widdop (c)

An all-class performance from Widdop, who looks primed for a big season with a new partner in crime. 2 try assists, a solid kicking game and some incisive runs. 8/10

7. Ben Hunt

He’s certainly given the Dragons fans plenty to cheer about. Set up the first try of the match with a clever grubber out of dummy half before running away with an intercept in the 2nd half. Looks a goodie. 8/10

8. James Graham

Strong work rate without setting the world on fire. Definitely seemed to be a strong influence to the Dragons pack and will be better with more metres in the legs. 6/10

9. Cameron McInnes

Great impact from dummy half, making a number of half breaks and getting oh so close to scoring in the 1st half. Quieter late in the game but still powered through 26 tackles. 7/10

10. Paul Vaughan

Typical powerhouse performance from Vaughan, running for 127 metres and constantly bending the line. A consistent start to 2018 will have him in Brad Fittler’s sights. 7/10

11. Tyson Frizell

Comes back every season looking bigger than the last! Strong carries and was rewarded with the first try of the season. 7/10

12. Tariq Sims

Was handed Manly-bound Joel Thompson’s jersey to start the season and was solid without being spectacular. 6/10

13. Jack De Belin

Got through a tonne of work, making 29 tackles and running for over 100 metres. Looks to have started 2018 where he left off last year and looks bound for further rep honours. 8/10

Interchange:

14. Luciano Leilua

Not alot of game time and just a few carries. Will definitely play a role in future games. 4/10

15. Kurt Mann

It will be interesting to see how Mcgregor uses Mann in 2018. Limited game time tonight though. 3/10

16. Leeson Ah Mau

Great work rate from Leeson who carried on his strong trial form. Topped the metre tally for the Dragons and ran with great leg drive. 7/10

19. Jeremy Latimore

Typical no-nonsense game from the NRL veteran. 5/10