Brett Morris' form on the field since his return has been breathtaking, off it arguably even better. Virtually shying away from a State of Origin recall after nine months out – and forfeiting the $30,000 match payment which would have accompanied it – was a noble gesture. What was widely less reported is his frank attitude to such a long rehabilitation, which torments many.

"You are in the room – a lot of that time alone – and while it can be frustrating you've got to remember we get paid quite well," Morris said. More of it, please.

Is Cronulla's winning run about to end?

Every win is closer to the next loss, as they say. But there are some statistics which might make worrying reading for Sharks fans. As Shane Flanagan's side closes in on its 12th straight win – the longest winning streak in the club's history – it should be noted a number of teams in the NRL era have stumbled around the same mark. Only the Bulldogs (17 before salary cap scandal of 2002) have won more consecutive games in the one season since the NRL's inception, with a host of streaks halted at the 11 and 12 win mark.

Perrett, Sutton and Mannering deserve to be celebrated

Perhaps it was fitting that three of rugby league's unsung heroes have played or will play their 250th NRL games this weekend without much fanfare. Representative honours haven't been exactly plenty for Sam Perrett (Bulldogs), John Sutton (Rabbitohs) and Simon Mannering (Warriors), but they are invariably one of the first names written on their respective club's team sheets each week. How fitting would it be if either Perrett or Mannering could add a grand final success to decorated careers? "I have been in this game for 13 years now and I know how exclusive it is to get one of those rings on your finger," said Perrett, who has been a part of three losing grand finals.

Rabbitohs make it tough for themselves

Every NRL club seeks the tiniest advantage it can muster, but the Rabbitohs taking a home game to Cairns to play the Cowboys? The premiers have never been more popular in the far north and sure, a bumper crowd is guaranteed. But having your opponent travel just a few hours down the road into their own heartland for your home match? The Rabbitohs have previously asked the Warriors to embark on an exhausting trip to meet them in Perth, chosen the Raiders to climb out of the Canberra freezer in winter and into the Cairns furnace. This one won't help them one little bit.

Releasing Soward and Segeyaro shrewd or risky business?

The Panthers should and will be finals contenders this year. Anthony Griffin should and will carry out his mandate for change. But how shrewd might the mid-season releases of Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro be if injury strikes in the halves at the back end of the year? Nathan Cleary is a super talent, but only 18. Bryce Cartwright even better. Their bodies are not impregnable.

Veteran on the charge: Peter Wallace.

Peter Wallace has been there and done that, but he's bedded down at hooker now. Perhaps Soward's release has finally paved the way for Matt Moylan's switch to the No.6 jersey he has long been groomed for.

Eels circus allows Manly woes to slip under radar

Thank God for Parramatta, hey. Never thought you would hear that being muttered in Silvertail territory. But how lucky have Manly been that the rugby league axis is revolving around the ham-fisted Eels at the moment? Lose to the Dragons on Monday night and Trent Barrett's first campaign in charge will forever be marked with an asterisk as the year they equalled the club's longest losing streak in its 70th year. Sure, there have been excuses with injuries and the like, but how long will a Sea Eagles faithful accustomed to success tolerate it?