5 Quick Points (Sea Eagles v Bulldogs, Panthers v Knights, Broncos v Raiders)

Manly Sea Eagles 36 v Canterbury Bulldogs 0 @ Lottoland

1. This was Manly's best performance under Trent Barrett, period. The thing about Manly this year is they look extremely committed and united on the field - and it has shown in 3 of their 4 performances. 
2. The Eagles returning pair of Martin Taupau and Aiden Fonua-Blake certainly made their presence felt in the middle of the field. Tapau made some huge charges and produced some good offloads. 
3. The Bulldogs were absolutely awful. They threw so many poor passes and their attack looked totally dysfunctional, that is on the spine players. 
4. I just wonder where Des Hasler can salvage his job with this spine? I can't see it getting much better for the Bulldogs. The warning signs were there when they won one from their last five in 2016.
5. Daly Cherry Evans was back to his brilliant best on Saturday. Some of those instinctive little kicks were part of his game back in 2013 when he was taking all before him. 

Parramatta Eels 6 v Cronulla Sharks 20 @ ANZ Stadium

1. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan must have done a good job circling the wagons this week. Because his forwards came out firing and the Sharks' defence was really stout throughout. 
2. Matt Prior is one of the most improved players in the NRL in the past two years. He used to be a bit of a plodder, now is more an enforcer capable of breaking the line and off loading. 
3. The Eels' attack was pretty awful in this match. They had plenty of field possession but made a number of simple errors.
4. James Segeyaro had a relatively quiet debut. He will have to be playing well to dislodge Jayden Brailey from the starting role as the youngster has been outstanding. 
5. Brad Arthur has received a lot of of praise as a coach and rightly so. However, he really needs to deliver with this team this year. There are no more excuses. 

Gold Coast Titans 26 v 32 North Queensland Cowboys @ CBUS Super Stadium

1. Coen Hess is on the way to becoming an elite back rower in the NRL. He was so damaging close to the line here, picking up two tries. 
2. I thought the Cowboys might be sliders this year. However, they seem to be producing good young talent. In Ponga and Gideon Mosby they have two exciting young outside backs. 
3. The Titans were plucky once again in this game, however they gave away too many soft tries and made too many errors. 

4. Kane Elgey needs to work on his defence. He is leaking points at the minute and is becoming a weak spot on the goal line. 

5. Injuries can ruin a sides season in Rigby League like no other. The Titans needs some troops back and fast.