Standout Performance

Chief Biggums - Billy Slater - Just like his Maroon teammate JT did last week, these Queenslanders know the perfect time to find some form. Billy reminded everyone just how good he is on the weekend with a clinical performance including two tries in the Storms convincing win over the Bunnies.

Mystery Doctor - Billy Slater was on fire against the Rabbitohs, while Daly Cherry-Evans was again an absolute beast but I'm gonna go for Robbie Farah. Farah's work out of dummy half pretty much won the game for the Tigers as they were able to get easy penalties and march down the field. NSW will be happy he's returned from injury so well.

The Bain - Just as Origin comes round and just when my DreamTeam needed it, Daly Cherry-Evans - DCE played the house down. He was on fire. Great kicking game, evasive running game, had a hand in some of their tries and then the clutch field goal in the last play of the game to win it. DCE is oh so close to taking Cooper Cronk's QLD number 7 jersey off him.

Senor Spectre - There wasn't one real stand out for me. Anthony Milford was superb in a losing performance and so was Daly Cherry Evans in turning around the Eagles performance against the Knights.

Battler making his mark

Chief Biggums - Kane Linnett - not the most common household name, but he still knows how to score a try. Put on a show for one of the most impressive hat-tricks this season and could prove even more important for the Cowboys in this coming Origin period.

Mystery Doctor - Josh Starling, big boy at Manly continues to impress. Plenty of noise was made about Morrs' tackle on Shaun Johnson but Starling had a very similar tackle against the Knights and churns through the metres.

The Bain - Even though they weren't great. And even though they lost, again, I just love the work of Shaun Fensom. He is an animal. Makes tackles all day, runs hard and makes some niggly offloads too.

Senor Spectre - James Graham was an absolute beast on the weekend. He was throwing himself everywhere and even had a bit of a tussle with fellow pom Mr Tomkins.

Biggest thing you learnt

Chief Biggums - The Bulldogs forwards are ridiculously big, strong as well as possessing absurd skills for that size. It's almost unfair, I wonder who will break their streak.

Mystery Doctor - Imagination is the key. If you're down on your luck, think outside the square to conjure up a new style or game plan. It worked wonders for the Storm.

The Bain - The Cowboys and Storm are back. And watch out!

Senor Spectre - Benji was supposed to come and change the Dragons fortunes… Didn’t exactly happen you could say. Not sure if he will be everything they’d hope.

Young Gun watch

Chief Biggums - Luke Brooks - they keep applying the pressure and he continues to come out looking better every week. Had the grit to stay composed and steer the Tigers to a win over the Sharks with three slick try assists.

Mystery Doctor - Corey Oates has stepped up to first grade with ease at the Broncos and now with Origin he gets a chance to start.

The Bain - Luke Brooks. I was a little skeptical at first, he impressed, but then when his buddy James Tedesco got injured his performance dropped. But his strong outing this round helped the Tigers get the W against the Sharkies

Senor Spectre - I like Pauli Pauli. More to him than just a quality name. He is a big lad and he carries players all over the place, whilst making his presence felt.

Most impressive team performance

Chief Biggums - Bulldogs - sitting on the top of the ladder for a reason. Doesn't matter the opposition, they know how to play their game and play it well - those forwards though, and those play making skills.

Mystery Doctor - The Cowboys and Storm were slick, but the Tigers showed that there is some serious substance in their play. They battled to a tough win over the Sharks and their key players - Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks, Kurtis Rowe etc were big.

The Bain - Close one for mine this round. But I'll go with either the Cowboys absolutely dominating the pretty boy Roosters. Or the Storm's triumph on Friday night footy over the Bunnies. Both were fantastic wins for different reasons but impressive nonetheless.

Senor Spectre - The Storm dominated the Rabbits and not many people saw it coming (especially the bookies!). They now go through their infamous struggles at Origin time but if they can keep up the work rate and effort they might come out of it not too bad...

Needs a hug

Chief Biggums - Bennett's poor old Knights - yeah people say well it shouldn't have got to that stage where a field goal was the difference but still - the last second, the last play, a clutch as field goal under pressure by DCE - that's Manly for ya. Chin up Knights.

Mystery Doctor - James Maloney. He looked so helpless up in Townsville and is now just an NRL half.

The Bain - Those poor blokes at the Knights. What a way to lose. After leading practically the whole game... up steps Jorge Taufua with a handful of tries and then DCE to shatter the Knights hearts leaving them lying all over the field in utter disbelief.

Senor Spectre - The Knights battled hard and got pipped by a Cherry Evans beaut of a droppie in the last play of the match. Damn it was nice. Flush straight over, thanks for coming. Not so good for the Knights though.