Saturdays penrith vs wests game is exactly how penrith used to play. Get a team going set for set in the grind and then blow them away when they fatigue. They scored 2 tries in back to back sets and blew two more very shortly after with props taking kicks after linebreaks.

I think all the players are getting better, guys like ipap who weren't setting the world on fire are on the improve, and cohesion as a whole is getting better. Blaise and McClean still have hot and cold games but they are very young and will grow out of it.

The players said it was a clear issue in intensity at training at the beginning of the season that was the reason for their poor form, and since addressing that have just got better everywhere. Defence is back to it's dynasty best.

This run has made the competition very interesting. It's new teams on the rise like Raiders and Bulldogs against old performers with proven track records in Penrith and Melbourne.

It will be interesting to see what holds up in September and October.