In The Spotlight - Round 20

It's happening folks. The cream of the NRL crop are starting to rise to the top.

While sides like Newcastle, Wests and the Sea Eagles start to pack their bags for Cancun, the big guns are starting to look ever-so-ominous as the run into the finals begins.

Thurston's kicking goals for fun, A-Reynolds is kicking sides to death, Cameron Smith has a story to tell us about a bridge. The Cowboys look unstoppable, yet so do the Broncos and the resurgent Chookies. Gee willickers, it's going to be one hell of a ride from here.

Let's have a geezer at how my Round 19 homies fared.

Feleti didn't exactly light up Brookie, did he? Legs-eleven runs for 92 meters, a few flashy passes which achieved what my old man describe as ‘three-fifths of f***-all'. Chuck in a few missed tackles, a penalty and you have an ordinary night at the office. Don't worry me old Mateo, plenty of good'uns have crumbled under the pressure of The Spotlight.

Jack ‘the price is' Wighton is a fullback. Or a centre. Or a winger. Memo to Sticky Stuart, the bloke isn't a halfback, despite the outrageously-brilliant pass he threw to set up a try.*

*It wasn't really good, it was just a pass.

Put him back into his proper spot Stick!

Round 20, it is time.

Joseph Paulo

Wow, what a time it is to be a Parramatta fan! That Sandow fella is making plenty of waves with his unique I don't give a rat's arse' style of ‘play and a sneaky road trip to Townsville to play the lowly* Cowboys awaits this weekend.

*nah, they're not that lowly. They're pretty bloody highly.

Young Christopher's done his dash, so it's up to Joseph Paulo to have a crack in the halves with Luke Kelly. The bloke can play, but talk about a baptism of dire fire (did you like that?). Godspeed, good sir.

Mitchell Pearce

Now Mitch, I promise not to mention Origin, and specifically not your absolutely god-awful win/loss record in the sky blue. Club footy is more your cup of tea, and the scene of less embarrassing moments, namely the Roosters epic 2013 premiership win. On paper, this is probably the best side in the comp and they are starting to charge. Crucial to their success will be Wayne junior and what better way to get ready for the finals than by kicking dirt in the faces of the poor old Tigers?

Asta la vista, bruz.