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Mad results, skinned Eels and Tigers earn their stripes

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Feast your eyes on that top four. Make that the top eight. Yes, we know it's only two rounds into the season, but congratulations if your projections had it looking like this after a few weeks of rugby league. The Dragons two-for-two and on top? You could have sold us that… Ben Hunt always looked to be a top-shelf signing and elite playmakers tend to turn average teams into ones bound for the finals. Also at 100 per cent are the Warriors (who had lost nine in a row to end last season), Penrith (nobody liked the coach and everyone wanted to leave, apparently), Wests Tigers (who have casually rolled the Roosters and the Storm) and the Knights, a club with more recent wooden spoons than Peter's of Kensington. And what about the Eels… last, with a '-64' next to their name. Phwoar.

Tigers roar: Luke Brooks and co toppled the Storm in Melbourne.

Photo: AAP

Powerful addition… with a price

Another week, another damaging story on Matt Lodge. It's the issue that won't disappear for Brisbane or the NRL. There are clear moral issues at play but when it comes to the football field, it's becoming clear Lodge belongs at the top level and why the Broncos have been so willing to sacrifice so much to have him in their colours. After a slow start in round one, Lodge was very good for Brisbane in their upset over the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. Going up against arguably the best pack in the business, Lodge and fellow prop Tevita Pangai Jnr took their physical output to new levels and played no unsignificant role in the win. Brisbane's reputation has taken a beating over the Lodge signing, regardless of their protestations. But the ledger looks in the black in the football department.

Call it a comeback

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SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

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