The Panel
Standout Performance
Chief Biggums - JT is just the man. A standout performance getting amongst everything in the Cowboys well played win over the Broncos. Set up tries, moved his team slickly around the paddock and slotted a field goal to seal the deal. Origin must be soon.
Mystery Doctor - Power, power, power. Ben Matulino, Konrad Hurrell, Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams, Matt Scott ... Power!
The Bain - My boy Konrad Hurrell. Absolute wrecking ball out there. Showed why the warriors need him on the field.
Senor Spectre - Konnieeeeeeeeeee!! TheGrammar Old Boy was carving up the Raiders like there was no tomorrow. He got the plenty of attention off the field during the week but he was only in the papers for good reasons this week after his barnstorming performance. He looks back to his best and is breaking tackles at will... #OUA
Battler making his mark
Chief Biggums - No where near the level we know he can play at, but Tony T-Rex Williams may be starting to convert some of the massive potential of his. He Kept the Dragons weary on defense, ran for almost 200 meters, over 20 tackles but more importantly started getting his offload game back.
Mystery Doctor - Jake Friend doesn't get many props, but he's establishing himself as one of the top hookers in the game. Love his work out of dummy half, good passer and has a bit of a kicking game as well. He fits in to this big Roosters pack very well.
The Bain - Chris Sandow. He has had his problems but he is coming good when the Eels need him to
Senor Spectre - Paul Gallen was throwing his weight around and more against the Eels in the game they duly lost. He was doing everything for the Sharkies, just like he will probably have to do for the Blues come Origin.
Biggest thing you learnt
Chief Biggums - Des Hasler is boss as coach. He had his doubters towards the end of last year, but he knows how to work with what he's got. You can't argue when the Bulldogs are sitting ahead of the rest in first place, lets just see how origin stirs up the competition ladder.
Mystery Doctor - If you display any sort of consistency, you're gonna be doing well. So many teams are putting in a good performance backed up by a loss. Teams like the Cowboys, Warriors, Eels and Storm need to string wins together to make their move.
The Bain - It's gonna be a long season for the Sharkies and even more so the Knights.
Senor Spectre - Maybe the storm aren’t finished just yet. I had written them off but they ground out a crucial win over Manly on the weekend against all odds. Origin is around the corner which always decimates the team but there is hope... I think... Who knows actually.
Young gun watch
Chief Biggums - Dylan Walker - he's starting paying some dividends for the Rabbitohs faith in him putting in a class performance in the Bunnies victory over the Titans. Bagged four tries which could have easily been more, but regardless has the potential to be a class act in the future.
Mystery Doctor - Dylan Walker, cracking athlete. He's quick and very strong + he has all the skills thanks to lots of time spent in the halves. Can't forget Kurt Mann for the Storm.
The Bain - Jack Littlejohn. Last couple of weeks in the halves for Manly and he hasn't looked out of place at all.
Senor Spectre - Probably can’t go past Kurt Mann for the Storm. Scored the match-winning try against the Eagles and is keeping a couple of experience fellas out of the Storm lineup so is going goods!!
Best team performance
Chief Biggums - I'll have to give props to the Doggies here. A stout performance for the most part, but the impressive part was the try saving tackles on defense and more than once. A team that can defend like that is definitely gonna be around come the back end of the season.
Mystery Doctor - Has to be between the Warriors and the Bulldogs who both looked the goods, oozing class and were a class above their opposition. A smokey is the Storm, a win like that could turn their season around.
The Bain - A few great wins but I'm sticking with the Warriors. Got that first Eden Park win by demolishing the Raiders. Some outstanding performances across the board. Ricky Stuart and his boys are doing it tough
Senor Spectre - Ooo the Warriors... Or the Eels! Take your pick. Both of them looked so good going forwards, it was slightly scary. Both have been led by the combinations between the halfback and fullback. Sandow and Hayne for the Eels and Johnson and Tomkins for the Kiwis. Let's hope it continues.
Needs a hug
Chief Biggums - The Raiders - well not all of them, some of them look like they didn't even want to finish the game against the Warriors, but to those gave it all despite the scoreline, kudos to you.
Mystery Doctor - Anthony Griffin is in for a tough ride in Brisbane. I'm giving him a hug in advance cos I can't see the Broncos reaching many expectations.
The Bain - The raiders. Bounce back factor did not happen at all. They were just awful. Again! Also send a hug to all of NSW with big Andrew Fifita going down for the Sharks. Huge loss right there
Senor Spectre - Gregory Bird. He has always been an aggressive guy, but led to him being put on report for a dangerous throw on the weekend. Normally he’ll miss a game or two and no one cares, but this time it really hurts as he’ll miss at least the first Origin game. Depending on the outcome it could be the whole series.