Most fascinating has been the staggering collapse of the Parramatta Eels. Bear in mind they came fourth last season, were touted as possible premiership winners for 2018, and have had their prodigal prodigy Jarryd Hayne added to their roster for this season. Their coach, Brad Arthur, is highly regarded. And yet, and yet, in their first two matches they have bled nigh on 80 points, of which 50 odd were to their greatest historical rivals, Manly! While it is one thing to lose badly it is quit another to lose the will to even struggle and against Manly that it is precisely what it looked like, Their shoulders were slumped, their eyes were downcast, they had nothing! With five minutes to go on Saturday, Hayne got the ball on the boil five metres out. The Hayne who came to fame on the plane, just a few years ago would have burst through the proffered tackles like they were nothing. This one meekly succumbed. It just looked like he didn’t even care. And yes, it is unfair to say that Hayne is the direct cause of both the Titans and the Eels falling apart since he joined them, but . . . at the least it is not obvious that he has made either side stronger.

Stellar start: Benji Marshall and the Tigers have knocked off the Roosters and Storm to begin the year. Credit:NRL Photos

Benji Marshall. The old bloke lives! Time and time again in the first two matches, the 34-year-old – back where he belongs at the Tigers – was like the master maestro of yore, passing, kicking, inspiring, yelling, pulling the strings and playing the chords in a manner that the Tigers believed they could do it, and bloody well did it – including an away win against Melbourne, something worth four points in the scheme of things because very few other teams are going to accomplish that.

Canterbury Bulldogs. OK, 'fess up. Who was the genius who said the best thing that the Bulldogs can do for the future is to identify their two most passionate and skilled players – Josh Reynolds and James Graham – and get rid of them!? Seriously, who was it? If it was you, Des Hasler, we’ll have to sack . . . oh, wait! The point is that the Bulldogs without those two players look like orphans. No oomph. No penetration. No nuttin’.