In the Spotlight - Round 13

What an opening we had to the Origin series, with Cooper ‘the Terminator' Cronk changing his Buzz Lightyear-like settings from ‘stun' to ‘kill' in game one.

The Blues were outstanding for the opening 40 minutes, but it looks as though that urgent memo stating that games go for twice as long didn't reach the dressing room. As the Maroons do, they stalked their prey mercilessly in the second stanza and just like the Family Guy classic ‘fast animals, slow children,' hunted down the boys in sky blue to most likely rubber-stamp another series win.

Another performance to admire was Dane Gagai's enormous efforts across the dutch, bru. Twenty gallops, 203 metres, nine tackle breaks, two line breaks and a try assist. Alas, the Knights couldn't seal the deal against the resurgent Wazzas on their home ground. For the home side, Ryan Hoffman was reliable, like an old Toyota Corolla, with 11 hit-ups for 87 metres and 21 tackles.

Read on for week 13's victims.

Mitch Rein
To quote the immortal Prince, Mitchy Rein… Miiitchy Reeeeein.

The Reinman. Make it Rein. It's Rein-ing Mitch, hallelujah it's Rein-ing Mitch. Rein-ier Wolfcastle.This little fella has plenty of names and plenty of tricks in his showbag (that sounds a little bit naughty). With Robbie Farah in doubt for the trip to the Yarra, the wily Saint has a chance to channel some other musical greats, and screech, "Take a chance on me."

This week it's the under-siege Bulldogs who will try not to drown in an epic Rein-storm. Game on.

Michael Ennis
Let's keep talking number nines, and not the love potion variety (I'm feeling very musical today).

Unfortunately for Ennis the Menace, he had a bit of a rough afternoon at Kogarah last Sunday arvo, the lowlight being his revolutionary three-metre line drop-out. That's without mentioning the mosquito on his cheek; luckily, Benji Marshall was on hand to slap it off for him. What a nice young man.

New South Wales will probably be keen to go with experience, so Mick is a serious SOO II contender-show us what you got champion.

Just a word of advice though, maybe let someone else take the drop-kicks old mate.

Adios, muchachos.