The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Greg Inglis. He's a beast, hopefully his form continues all the way into the grand final.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Mystery Doc - His talent has always been obvious, but I always wondered if we'd see Jarryd Hayne reach his 09 peak again. He's currently soaring.
The Panel
Stand out
Chief Biggums - Cooper Cronk. Runs the show like a boss. Called the shots all night in the convincing victory over the Tigers. True professional, set up four tries and controlled the game but let his other half get in on the action too.
The Panel
Standout performer
Mystery Doctor - Jonathan Thurston gave us touches of class and silky smooth crispness that will ensure that the Cowboys are always a chance.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Johnathan Thurston was back to his mercurial playmaking self leading the Cowboys to their first away win of the season over the Sharks.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Matt Moylan - despite being one of the new cats, he had the composure of a veteran in the Monday night clash against the Broncos. He scored a try, whacked a few would-be defenders and slotted the winning field goal after dropping a bomb only a few minutes before.
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.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Gareth Widdop produced the type of game the Dragons expect after buying him from the Storm. Got involved without over doing it. Set up a try for himself, good ball distribution and kicking as well as making over 100 meters
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Billy Slater. We all know what Billy is capable of, but we haven't really seen much of it this year. However, against the Eels he put on a close to vintage Billy the kid performance with two tries, two my assists and six tackle busts.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - James Segeyaro had a ball against the Titans. He scored a try after he broke the line by himself, set up another try, and to top it all off he made 51 tackles - 14 clear of the next tackler. Ivan Cleary has some tough decisions to make with resident hooker Kevin Kingston returning from injury this weekend.
The Panel
Standout performer
Chief Biggums - Sam Burgess - was an absolute beast with and without the ball against the Dragons. Setting a good example for his younger brothers with almost 200 run meters, a try, a bunch of offloads and some smashed 'em bro solo efforts in defense.
The Panel
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.
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.
The Panel
Standout performer
Chief Biggums - Daly Cherry-Evans. The kids pure talent and the future of Queensland's halves. Hugely involved in the game as he had a hand in the majority of Manly's tries as well as line breaks for himself and the team. Class all around, with many years ahead of him.
The Panel
Chief Biggums - James Graham is a beast. Powerful carries and stout defense (ran for 177 metres and 38 tackles). Not to mention a head clash which left the other guy dazed and confused while he carried on with the game - pure man-ness.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - David Mead, has been in fine form taking over the fullback role for the Titans. Stopped the Broncos scoring tries on numerous occasions and scored a beautiful length of the field try in the Titans narrow victory.
The Panel
Standout Performer
Chief Biggums - Jarryd Hayne, yeah second week in a row, but he's playing like he's back in the world cup. Just about scored a try in the opening stages by stepping and spinning past three defenders. He managed to get one later brushing off Josh Hoffman as well as a crazy escape from his own in-goal and 159 running metres just casually.
Mystery Doctor - The Warriors were terrible but Todd Carney was at his best for the Sharks. With Jeff Robson organising things, setting everything up, the Sharks need Carney to add that touch of class and pizzaz to their attack. He did so and the Sharks were able to rack up some points.
The Bain - The grub Josh Reynolds. Was huge on Friday night against the Roosters. Try saver, try assist, drop goal to win it and providing plenty of niggle
Love ya xx
Senor Spectre - Chris Sandow had an enormous game on Friday night, leading the Eels past the Bronco’s. He looked like he was back to his zippy self and provides some flair in comparison to Corey Norman’s calmness. Can Sandow keep it up? Probably not, but he was on fire last week.
Battler making his mark
Chief Biggums - Nate Myles (and the Titans in general). I don't think anyone picked Titans upsetting the Storm especially down in Melbourne - especially when Greg Bird was missing most of his conversions with Sezer out. But the effort from the big men like Myles was superb against a quality side like Melbourne.
Mystery Doctor - I'm liking the work of Sam Mckendry and Tim Grant. Hard to call an international and Origin prop battlers but they are two guys who don't really get much recognition. There team is doing well so that must mean these two are as well.
The Bain - Michael Morgan. Two tries and that freakish try assist showed why the cowboys are keeping him at fullback.
Senor Spectre - Josh Reynolds is bit of a dick but he is starting to put some real heat on James Maloney for the number 6 jersey for NSW. His defence is brilliant and has changed games with his aggressive nature and downright dog attitude.
Biggest thing you learnt
Chief Biggums - Even Daly Cherry-Evans is susceptible to brain explosions. He got put on report for a knee to the head on Liam Fulton. The funny thing is he didn't even blow up about it when he was put on report, just goes yeah that's fair enough and got on with it - like he knew was guilty but there wasn't anything else he could do about it.
Mystery Doctor - Ray Hadley is a terrible commentator and I'm sick of the Broncos cheerleaders commentating their games every Friday night. That's probably the worst insult you're gonna get out of me about Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.
The Bain - The Storm are not what they used to be. They are still all class. But at home you would think they would come up with the two points against the Titans. No disrespect to my Titans though, huge game from the boys!
Senor Spectre - The Warriors don’t look like shaking their inconsistency tag anytime soon. LLWWL, 4 coaches in 18 months, player revolt rumours. Nothing is ever simple at the Warriors.
Young gun watch
Chief Biggums - Michael Morgan, the kids got those innate freak reflexes. His knee kick to set up Tate for a try was a sight to watch. Speed and ingenuity aren't a problem for him either setting up a try for himself in a very Matty Bowen-like manner with a grubber for himself. They gotta find him a place in the team when Coote comes back.
Kdot
Mystery Doctor - Kenny Edwards has had an interesting journey to become an established first grader but I'm loving his work. He has a few more skills than Manu Ma'u on the other edge but is equally as athletic.
The Bain - Aaron Woods. Scored a nice try, ran close to 150 metres and made 30 tackles. Leading the pack against a strong manly side
Senor Spectre - Dylan Napa filled in well for the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, punching the ball forward at will and making countless tackles. Still like the work of Josh Starling for Manly, who is proving consistent if not spectacular.
Most impressive team performance
Chief Biggums - Tigers, they ripped apart Manly - which Manly hardly ever lets happen. Not known for such a strong forward pack the Tigers forwards gave it to the Manly pack, along with their scheming Captain Farrah and classy outside backs constantly pressuring the Manly line.
Mystery Doctor - The Tigers and Eels deserve a shout out here, but I'm gonna go with the Panthers. In shit conditions, they got the bickies and showed that they can get in to a grind but also have some firepower out wide ... dear I say it with Jamie Soward in some form.
The Bain - The Gold Coast titans. The road trip to Melbourne is tough for most teams but the Titans have a poor record there. To go there without Aidan Sezer and come up with the goods is a huge effort. There were some strong performances from a wide range of players and big Greg Bird's composure to kick the winning goal at the end topped off a great team win. Titans stand alone at the top of the table! (For now that is) Yeah buddy!
Senor Spectre - The Eels get my nod of the week, followed closely by the dogs. Jarrod Hayne is looking like his free self and with the likes of Nathan Peats and Semi Radradra stepping up to the plate, we are surprising a fair few people. The dogs have beaten the Storm and Roosters in successive weeks. That’s got to be pretty impressive!
Team/player that needs a hug
Chief Biggums - The Knights, the only team to not score a try on the weekend. It's a tough road trip up to the Cowboys home ground and it looked like it got the best of them on a Monday night. Hopefully they get at least one try against the Raiders this week.
Mystery Doctor - Well the Warriors will get a few hugs so I'm gonna go with Craig Bellamy. He must be one confused man.
The Bain - The Warriors. Another woeful outing against the Sharks. They are just so inconsistent. Typical really... And then to top it off Matt Elliot "hands in his resignation" as coach. Whats gonna go wrong next..?
Senor Spectre - Matty Elliot. Flag being the Warriors coach. You can never do anything right I don’t reckon. He tried to transform the club, not just the first team and you need time to do it. Obviously he didn’t have enough time and now he’s goooooooooooooone. Hope he picks up a contract somewhere else!
The Panel
Standout performer
Chief Biggums - Jarryd Hayne was the man on the weekend but didn't over play his hand. Slotted in smoothly into the backline to set up a try and picked up one for himself. Reminiscent of his '09 Hayne Plane but with more maturity and confidence about his play.
The Panel
Standout performer
Chief Biggums - Robbie Farah, the current meta of the NRL is suiting his style of play with less stoppages and more action. Ran for 155 metres, set up a try and made a solid 40 tackles against a big Souths Pack.
NRL Panel
Standout performer
Mystery Doctor - Greg Inglis is the man. His physical play was immense and his influence on not only his lads but also the opposition is huge. Jason Taumalolo comes close for his barnstorming game against the Raiders.