5 Quick Points (Dragons v Panthers, Cowboys v Raiders, Titans v Roosters)

St George Illawarra 42 v Penrith Panthers 10 @ Kogarah

1. The Dragons were the most impressive side in Round 1, using that seige mentality that everyone had them contending for the spoon, to come out and ambush Penrith, sticking it to them physically and with energy from kickoff. They played with a real purpose which would have delighted their fans. 

2. The Dragons went away from their slow, predictable sweeping set plays and played more direct with some offloads and hitting some short balls with real intent. It was far more effective and they were rewarded with 42 points. 

3. Penrith, mentally, looked soft and unprepared for a wet grind and a tough physical encounter. on the road. They read into their hype as Premiership favourites and thought they simply had to turn up, meaning they played far too side to side. 

4. Penrith are really missing their wingers, Mansour and Zelekniak, who started their sets off stronger and were more explosive on the wing. I expect their early season struggles to continue this week against the Tigers. 

5. Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop played with way more energy, intent and quality than had been seen from them both for a long while. As big earners at the Dragons, they need to continue that throughout the season. 

North Queensland Cowboys 17 v Canberra Raiders 16 @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

1. This was as good a game as you will likely to see in Round 1. It was fast, it was physical, it was close and had plenty of niggle and excitement culminating in a Golden Point finish. You are unlikely to see a winning try like that ever again. 

2. Jason Taumololo started the season on the same foot he left off last season as he looks to defend his Dally M medal. He was a wrecking ball and a real handful in the middle of the field for the Raiders. He is the best forward in the NRL for mine. 

3. The Raiders were extremely brave in this game. Their goal line defence was better than I had seen them at any point last year. Against an 11-4 penalty count, and having a man in the sin bin, Canberra were entitled to lose this game by 20 or 30 points on the road against a high quality attack. The fact they only conceded 16 speaks volumes for their preparation. 

4. The Raiders need to improve aspects of their discipline. They do give away a few silly penalties and throw some ill advised passes at times. 

5. Scott Bolton did a good job up front trying to fill the big void left by James Tamou. The Cowboys also looked to vary their attack a fair bit to get more players involved outside of relying on Thurston all the time. That remains a work in progress. 

Gold Coast Titans 18 v Sydney Roosters 32 @ CBUS Super Stadium

1. Luke Keary was the player of the round for mine in his first game in Roosters' colours. His combination with Mitchell Pearce looked clinical and very dangerous, and not anything like a pair that were playing together for the first time. 

2. Latrell Mtichell looks ready to become a superstar in the centres this season. Last season he had some outstanding moments but wasn't quite fit enough and made a few blunders through inexperience. This year he looks fitter and stronger.

 3. The Roosters really clocked off in the second half and gave up a number of soft tries. Their defence on the edges remains a concern as the Titans threatened to come back from 28 points down at one point. 

4. The Titans showed the fighting qualities they possess in what was an excellent second half. However conceding 28 points in the first half at home wasn't a great indicator for their season. 

5. I don't get a great vibe about Jarryd Hayne at the moment. I actually think his signing to this point has taken the Titans off course. Hayne hasn't been great at training by all accounts and has been below his best on the field.