Andrew Voss gives his thoughts on the Radradra saga, the Warriors woes, a rising star's haircut and the special significance of Anzac Round.
Should Semi Radradra have been picked for Australia?
Yes. And he should be hailed as a tremendous success story.
No one flies the flag for international rugby league more than I do, and it would be great if everyone supported the idea of regular meaningful Tests for Fiji and other Pacific nations, but the fact is, they don't.
Rugby league should play a World Cup every two years in my opinion, but that's an argument for another day.
Semi qualifies under the same rules that apply to major sports around the world.
Let me put it this way. If Radradra had just been picked in the Australian Olympic team we'd be hailing this as an inspirational sporting and life story.
This is the bloke who as a young fella never went to school. He used to sleep on the floor in his family's Fijian village home. He is one of eight children. He never touched a football until he was 16 years old and that was to try his hand at rugby union. He then worked in a mine to support his family. He was earning $300 a month in Fiji.
There were no promises of anything when he joined the Eels in 2012. But through his talent and hard work he has made it to the top.
He has pledged his allegiance to Australia, and has now been picked for the Kangaroos.
Congratulations Semi.
Should a warning be issued to sin-binned players?
I believe so.
And I'll make it simple. Just go.
Don't argue the decision, and don't walk off slowly.
For a quick fix on a problem for the game that appears to be starting to fester, make the rule that if any player stands and argues at being binned and then walks rather than jogs from the field, they stay off for good.
Have you given up on the Warriors?
I give them one more week.
If there is no bounce back factor this Sunday against the Dragons at Mount Smart Stadium then I'm afraid it's out with the red felt pen for Andrew McFadden's side.
I had them as a top four side before a ball was kicked this season, but they just haven't got out of second gear. On Monday against the Storm, they didn't even get out of neutral.
But what a time to be playing the Dragons!
St George Illawarra is on an eleven-game winning streak against the Warriors. The New Zealand based club hasn't beaten the Dragons since 2007. They were even flogged in a pre-season trial this year in Nelson.
There are a few other teams also under pressure this weekend, but it's certainly crunch time for the Warriors and their 2016 campaign.
What about the Bulldogs golden point record?
The stats don't lie. You don't want to play the Bulldogs in a golden point game any time soon.
Saturday's win over the Titans was their seventh from their past eight extra time matches.
Their all time record is 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses.
Josh Reynolds was the one-point hero on the weekend, but previously it has been Moses Mbye, or Trent Hodkinson when he was at the club.
In the frantic final seconds, even Josh Morris's field goal snap was impressive.
They can find a way to win Des Hasler's side, just as they did on the siren against Penrith back in Round 2.
How about the 'record double' for Canberra’s Jordan Rapana last weekend?
"Double?" What double? I hear you say.
I am a huge rap on Rapana. He's just got star quality, and that talent led to a healthy try return on Saturday against Wests Tigers.
But here's the unofficial record I think he now holds. That is without doubt the worst haircut on a first grade player to score four tries in a game, in the history of premiership football!
Did a bricklayer or a landscape gardener cut it?
If the Rapana 'do' catches on, I'm going bald.
How good was the Anzac Round of rugby league?
Exceptional.
And while there was some great football played, the highlight for me was the stellar job all involved did in the pre-game ceremonies at the eight matches.
The NRL, the clubs, the players, and the fans are to be applauded for the respectful way in which tributes were conducted to diggers past and present.
As a commentator, it was a privilege to play just a small part in such a special occasion.
On Fox Sports over the weekend, players presented tributes to former league players who had served their country. To hear Manly's Tom Symonds tell the tale of his late grandfather and uncle made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Jamie Soward told the story of former Newtown player Herbert 'Nutsy' Bolt who died at Fromelles in World War One. Bolt was a league star on the rise but lost his life serving his country. Bolt was 23. Again, it left a lump in your throat, and in awe at the sacrifice.
We have many significant weekends through the season, but the NRL has now established the Anzac Round, quite rightly, as the most special of them.
Can't wait to call the action in Round 9. I'm off to ANZ Stadium on Thursday night for Fox Sports coverage of the Tigers against the Rabbitohs. And Brookvale should be buzzing on Saturday night when the Sea Eagles host the premiers.
Giddy Up!
