5 Quick Points - (Roosters v Rabbitohs, Panthers v Knights, Broncos v Raiders)

Sydney Roosters 20 v South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 @ ANZ Stadium

1. The Roosters are looking ominous a month into the competition. Although this was a weakened South Sydney, this victory was achieved with a minimum of fuss.
2. Souths are really struggling in the forwards for impact and aggression. Tom and George Burgess have had problems with their hands and big brother Sam looks the lone threat up front.
3. I didn't think Robbie Farah did his Origin claims a world of good. He put in a couple of more bad kicks and was generally ineffective. 
4. Michael Gordon has had an outstanding start to the season at fullback. I thought he might be a fraction past his best and would be of better use on the wing, however he is making line breaks and been on the end of some wonderful Roosters' set pieces. 
5. I hate Thursday Night football. These two teams would draw 30,000 on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, yet get the graveyard shift of Thursday at 8pm. I don't get it. 

Penrith Panthers 40 v Newcastle Knights 0 @ Pepper Stadium

1. The Panthers can really make the ball sing at their best. Their ball movement was something to watch here, with the team having so many skilful and creative players. 
2. Matt Moylan and Tyrone Peachey are two players who are making a big claim for an Origin jersey with their first month of football. They are two of the form players of the competition. 
3. Te Maire Martin is starting to show why Penrith signed him straight from the Under 20s at rivals Wests Tigers two years ago. He is a classy ball player and a dangerous ball runner, scoring a nice try here. 
4. The Knights were dominated in the forwards in this game. Penrith regularly made 60 or 70 metres a set and that was right from the get go. 
5. This sort of defeat was bound to happen sooner or later for the Knights after three competitive displays. They are in for another long year as they just don't have the roster to compete against the big guns. 

Brisbane Broncos 13 v 12 Canberra Raiders @ Suncorp Stadium

1. I was really disappointed by the performance of Canberra's halves in this game. They had enough quality ball to get the team better organised and use their strike weapons. I thought they bumbled and fumbled their way through most of this game. 
2. Anthony Milford had his poorest game in a Broncos' shirt. After the headlines about him during the week, he looked like he was trying a bit too hard if anything. He looks a bit heavy at the moment. 
3. Darius Boyd has been outstanding as Captain in the opening month. He is really taking ownership of this team, not only through his performances, but his general body language, talk and enthusiasm. 
4. I still think Canberra have more upside as a team than the Broncos. The Raiders played 10 minutes of decent football in this game and nearly stole it. 
5. Grounds hold together so well these days after persistent rain. Suncorp was under water on Friday afternoon after a week of rain, however you would not have known it when both sides hit the field.