5 Quick Points (Tigers v Panthers, Dragons v Eels)

Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers @ Campbelltown Stadium
 
1. Penrith looked motivated and hungry straight from the kick off here. Their goal line defence was a great indicator of where their heads were at, refusing to yield despite being under constant pressure early in the game. 
 
2. I'm beginning to think you have to find a place for Matt Moylan somewhere in the Origin team. Whilst he won the battle of the fullbacks here against James Tedesco, I’m not sure he will be displacing Tedesco. However, he was everywhere in this game, playing more like a five eight, getting 44 touches of the football.
 
3. Tyrone Peachey could be a real bolter for Origin. He made 4 line breaks in this game and was a constant menace with the football. 
 
4. The Tigers suffered some of the same old problems which have plagued them throughout the past two years, getting over matched in the forwards, before some pretty feeble goal line defence. 
 
5. Luke Brooks really needs to do a lot better than 8 tackles and 7 misses in a game of football. Combined with gifting Penrith two 7-tackle sets, it’s not the sort of progress many expected of Brooks in his 4th year in First Grade. 
 
St George Illawarra v Parramatta Eels @ WIN Stadium
 
1. The Eels, for the 2nd straight week, physically bashed an opponent. This is an extremely strong pack that will not take a backward step for anybody, which lays a great foundation for the Eels’ season.
 
2. The Eels’ left edge was scintillating in this game. The combination between Norman, Jennings and Radradra looked unstoppable at times. 
 
3. Radradha is the best winger in the game at the moment. He is playing with real purpose and proving almost unstoppable close to the try line. He looks fit, happy and motivated, and that wasn't always the case last season. 
 
4. Corey Norman would have to be an early favourite here for the Dally M Medal. I think he enjoys being the dominant Number 7 rather than having to share responsibilities as he did with Kieron Foran last year. He took command of this game once again. 
 
5. I didn't think it was all bad signs for the Dragons. They competed for the full 80 minutes -they were just outclassed here. Some simple errors in the first half and simple drops by experienced players really put them on the back foot in this game.