Each year March rolls around and I've had enough of the hype, the typical pre season talk and of course the way too many rugby stories that do the rounds ... I just want the NRL to begin. Each season we've been able to enjoy something different in the NRL, whether it be thanks to a few rule changes or thanks to coaches with imaginations, this season has been no different.

Big, physical, skillful and mobile is what is needed these days.

After three games this season, it's pretty clear to see the trends and style of play that 2014 will be known for. The speed of the game has increased which has been awesome as we've seen the little guys become the main men but we've also seen the forwards given a bit more responsibility with ball playing thanks mainly to Des Hasler and the Bulldogs. With quicker play the balls popping up left right and centre, the difference between a quick the ball and a slow one is extreme. Landing on your stomach, getting up quickly thus not allowing markers to get set is ensuring that big men still have an important role to play.

It's been a pleasure watching teams and the way the attack, we see many teams still employing the second-man play where teams line up with two sets of attackers - those who are going to be a ball running option and those who will be a play making option. This is a wide spread method of attack with teams employing this as the stock-standard way to run a play starting on the right, ending on the left type of thing.

While this is in nearly every team's play book, this season we're seeing a lot more off the top of the dome style. Thanks to the quicker tempo of the game, the big men get tired quicker and the play makers are able to spot tired defenders and run at them - whether it was a set play or not. Luke Brooks has been at the forefront of this for the Tigers with his ability to run hard at the line with the ball in two hands being the key. Defenders never know what is going to happen, where as against simple second-man plays you can usually tell who is going to get the ball and where.

The footage above, of his debut game last season shows that because he establishes his running game as a threat, he is able to keep defenders guessing. He then has the skills to distribute with ease whether with a kick or a pass.

Besides the Jonathan Thurstons and Cooper Cronks who have adjusted like class players do with ease, another player who has shone is Ben Hunt who is relishing the quicker pace of the game. He's shown an ability to conjure up plays in the heat of the moment which highlight a defensive weakness, usually a tired defender or slack defenders who have been outdone by a quick play the ball. Then you've also got Robbie Farah who is having a field day with more space to cause a ruckus with his running game which then opens up the kicks and offloads.

We can't forget the big men though. So far this season, teams are blurring the lines between the typical positions in the packs. At the Dragons we've got Trent Merrin playing at lock, similar to Paul Gallen. Many teams are playing with essentially three props to ensure some go forward while teams like the Cowboys have gone the other direction by playing Tariq Sims in the middle. Known as a edge ball runner, Sims has shone in the middle where he is always in the action and can offer plenty of niggle. We're seeing a bit more imagination when it comes to how forwards are being used and the variety between the teams is awesome to see.

With the introduction of a few new coaches, led by Trent Robinson and Michael Maguire, we're seeing teams who are trying new things. They are playing to the strengths of their squad while adjusting to the new rules that have been put in place. This has made for a highly competitive first three rounds as each team is going about their business in different ways and besides the fact that we don't really know who is gonna win, it's an awesome product to watch ... whereas in the past few years we had many teams copying each other.

Aah footy, it's exciting again.