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
Finally, a foot in the door. After eight games of trying to bang the door down it’s budged, but only a little. And I imagine many of us will be cautiously optimistic that Warriors will safely make the top eight.
"We're finding a way to win at the moment, which is pleasing."
Again, Mr McFadden, Coach Cappy you're impressing myself and the the Warriors faithful. Enjoy a Lion Red mate.
Matchup - Matt Ballin vs Jake Friend. Both teams have rather large forward packs and skill in abundance, but these two play a key role scooting out of dummy half and giving their halves quality ball quickly.
The Melbourne Storm have the the creme de la creme of the NRL for nearly a decade and have enjoyed great success as well as being able to endure on of the biggest scandals of the decade.
Despite being the first and last scorers of the game against the Wyong Roos, the Warriors went down by less than a converted try 8 - 12.
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 average kiwi joker loves a punt and a brew. It's pretty much a part of the kiwi male, much like jandals and stubbies ... it's just what we do.
"We pretty much won that on defence" Andrew McFadden
Coach, I've watched many top sports teams and I've been filled with envy, jealousy and all the stink feelings that come with seeing other teams do what you want your team to do.
Matchup - Jarrod Croker vs Tim Lafai. Croker has been a consistent performer while Lafai is one of the best young centres going around. Jack Wighton vs Krisnan Inu will also be a goodun.
Key man - James Graham offers so much but if he's in a creative play making mood, he'll have a field day. Not only are the Bulldogs' forwards bigger and more aggressive but they are also much more skillful ... Graham is the main man.
Keep an eye on - Youngsters on the Raiders bench. I've pointed out Mitch Cornish a few times, but Shannon Boyd and Kyle O'Donnell are also there and could offer the Raiders some hope.
Verdict - Bulldogs >12.
Matchup - Nathan Friend vs Jake Granville. Two hookers who offer a lot in a sneaky way for their respective teams. Both are great runners and with two rather nice forward packs, these two will be entertaining out of dummy half.
Key man - Jacob Lillyman will be the only play to back up from Origin with the Broncos resting their stars. If Lillyman can set the tone, expect the Warriors to follow his bull charging lead.
Keep an eye on - Each position offers some great battles so enjoy the likes of Tomkins/Barba and the four young centres. Francis Molo off the bench for the Broncos is a bit of a beast as well.
Verdict - Warriors <12.
Matchup - Wade Graham vs Jamie Buhrer. High quality edge back rowers with all the skills and toughness.
Key man - The only way the Sharks can win is if Paul Gallen can inspire his troops after Origin so he'll need to find another gear.
Keep an eye on - The Sharks are nearing full strength, whether they can turn things around or not is the key but we'll get a decent look at them.
Verdict - Manly <12
Matchup - Kevin Proctor vs Pauli Pauli. Big boys with skills, gonna be fun.
Key man - Chris Sandow has the tools to be able to break down a determined Storm defence, he's also got the Hayne plane in the hangar.
Keep an eye on - Issac De Gois recently joined the Eels and his veteran grit and determination could be great for the Eels.
Verdict - Storm <12.
Matchup - James Roberts vs Josh Dugan. Roberts is someone worthy of a geeze himself, up against Dugan he'll face another great test.
Key man - Maurice Blair has shown that he's got the skills and leadership to guide the Titans around, but whether he can shoulder the majority of the burden or not is the key.
Keep an eye on - Caleb Binge looked like a great young prop in his debut last week. Very aggressive and gives the Titans a bit of an edge.
Verdict - Dragons <12
Matchup - Robbie Rochow vs Tariq Sims. Again two top young players going at each other on the edge.
Key man - How Jonathan Thurston responds to Origin will be interesting. He got his knickers in a twist so might be out to dominate or he may be a bit meh.
Keep an eye on - Adam Clydsdale has been coming off the bench for the Knights and doesn't look out of place in first grade.
Verdict - Cowboys <12.
Moments. We all love a good moment. On the biggest sporting stage, with the most on the line and in front of large sums of people all it takes is a moment to change the tide.
One missed assignment on defence, one little scoot with the ball in hand.
Oooohweee, game 2 huh. We've been here before despite Queensland winning eight on the trot, but each time Queensland have been under the pump they have had a consistently great group of players to call upon
Sam Burgess is a unique chap, there aren't many players who can boast is athletic ability as well as the desire and attitude that he possesses. He is the heart and soul of the Rabbitohs because he always shows up - the Rabbitohs always show up.
We live in a part of the world where rugby and rugby league rule. Two sports where you have pretty intense collisions between grown men at the peak of their physical condition, who are faster, stronger and bigger than ever ... and who don't wear helmets.
Matchup - Adam Reynolds vs Luke Brooks. Reynolds is coming back in to some form for the Bunnies and he'll be up against the kid on the come up, gunning for the best young half title.
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 NSW Cup Warriors played away from the NRL side on the weekend. They took on the second to last placed Bulldogs in Sydney, and were shocked in a 28 nil shut out to the Bulldogs
For eight years, Queensland had a pretty smooth run. They played with a consistent team, the majority of their changes came with role players rotating in and out while the likes of Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater near certainties every game.
Halftime usually results in a footy team coming out and rectifying their first half performance. For the Warriors in Perth it was the complete opposite, enough to almost bring me to tears before common sense prevailed.
There was a time recently where the Penrith Panthers were pretty good. They were top of the table, one of the best teams in the NRL and scored a whole lot of tries from the booth of Luke Walsh.