The Panel
Standout performer
Chief Biggums - Gareth Widdop. as the Dragons have begun to find some more form again it's been on the back of this man. Set up a try and a handful of line breaks as well cooly slotting the game closing field goal.
Mystery Doctor - Tony Williams. He didn't do a whole lot, but for a player who has kinda struggled he did his job. And when you're a man beast and your job is to do your week to week forward stuff + some halfback duties, that's pretty smooth.
The Bain - Big cat James Graham. Monster effort from him after Aiden Tolman went down injured early in the piece. 163 metres, 38 tackles, a line break and scored the Doggies first try.
Senor Spectre - Jeff Robson led the lads remarkably in the second half to overturn a 24 point deficit against the reigning premiers! Without Carney, someone had to stand up and lucky Mr Robson did because they needed a leader.
Battler making his mark
Chief Biggums - Ben Creagh the Dragon's captain isn't getting any younger, but his recent move to the front row has started to pay some dividends. He ran for over 150 metres, notched up 24 tackles as well as two tackle busts.
Mystery Doctor - James Graham will never be mentioned as a battler again, he's graduated. This guy is probably the best prop in the NRL in terms of all round play, he does it all.
The Bain - Jason Nightingale. The Kiwi star more than filled in the void made by injured Brett Morris with a hat trick sealing the deal against the Cowboys. Unorthodox but he gets it done like a champ.
Senor Spectre - Elijah Taylor is starting to show everyone what the Warriors let go. He is a tackling machine and is starting to offer shiney parts to his game that could take him to the next level. A significant reason why the Panthers are on top.
Biggest think you learnt
Chief Biggums - Bye Rounds are full of rocks and diamonds, some matches were classics while some were just sad to watch, still gotta find some middle ground during Origin.
Mystery Doctor - I think I love Des Hasler?
The Bain - This year's comp is not ideal for those having a punt. So many upsets and comebacks. Who would've picked the Dogs, Sharks and Titans to come up trumps?
Senor Spectre - Luke Keary is a real person. After months of speculating when the kid would be back from injury, it finally happened on Monday night. Unfortuantely it couldn’t co exist with a Rabbits win over the luckless Titans. At least they may have a settled halves pairing now..
Young gun watch
Chief Biggums - Matt Moylan. The confidence he has to carry the ball so loosely in one hand scares me at times but he sure knows how to hold it when it matters. He scored a try as well as being involved in the four other Penrith tries.
Mystery Doctor - Besides Luke Brooks and Wade Graham I don't think there's a young player so important to his team as Matt Moylan. The kid can play.
The Bain - Matt Moylan was incredible in the panthers win. Showed his class in several of their tries and stepped his way through the line for his own 4 pointer!
Senor Spectre - Blake Austin cant help but be mentioned after being Mr Fix it for the Tigers. Can play anywhere and is starting to show what people have seen in him for years.
Most impressive team performance
Chief Biggums - Panthers - They're doing their best to sway my opinion on being genuine grand final contenders with a convincing win over the Tigers. They pretty much dominated all the stats and if they can pull this off against a top four side that'll be be a statement.
Mystery Doctor - Ummm clearly the Sharks. No Todd Carney, no Paul Gallen but a crop of fairly decent young footy players.
The Bain - Sharkies comeback once again. I didn't believe it until I saw it. Two weeks in a row and against the reigning premier's, now that's impressive.
Senor Spectre - Titans for sure. They were under the pump for a decent chunk of the second half against the Rabbits but they held out, repelling a good 4 repeat sets at one stage! Hell of an effort from a team missing plenty of stars.
Team/player that needs a hug
Chief Biggums - Bunnies fans - including myself. Watching their performance on Monday night was a struggle. Scrappy and hard to watch with so many injuries but the fact that they lost to the Titans by 4... Take nothing away from the Titans though, good effort, just zzz Bunnies.
Mystery Doctor - The Roosters, that look of confusion as they squandered that lead deserves a huggy hug.
The Bain - South's coach Michael Maguire. Changing his lineup bringing back players from injury and then pretty much all of them re-injure themselves. Titans were massive on D, but Souths had 1 on the bench. That's pretty tough.
Senor Spectre - Braith Anasta. Potentially torn Bicep… Could spell the end of his career…