Vatuvei is a polarising figure, and his statistics this year make interesting reading. In 11 NRL games he has scored four tries, made four linebreaks (16th among NRL wingers) and contributed two try assists (equal top).
3. Origin - great game, cliched commentary
He has also made 123 runs (10th and 1152 metres - ninth), 40 tackle breaks (fourth) and 63 tackles (fourth).
But he has also missed 28 tackles, by far the worst (next is 17) and made 24 errors (next is 17 and only three wingers have exceeded 11).
If 12th Man commentary satirist Billy Birmingham is thinking of another album, he could have gleaned plenty of material last Wednesday night. Cramming Ray Warren, Peter Sterling, Wally Lewis and Phil Gould into the commentary box made for too many voices, with egos getting in the way of analysis.
The nadir came at the end of the match, from new sideline supremos Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns. Lockyer chatted with Greg Inglis like old mates over a XXXX, failing to ask a single question on his controversial late try. Next we crossed to Johns with Paul Gallen. The entire viewing audience wanted to get Gallen's view on the incident - but no such luck as "Joey" kept well away from any insightful questions.
It's hard to believe that anyone would want to pull on a blue and yellow jumper at the moment, but big Manly enforcer Tony Williams is to move west next year. Parramatta Stadium is hardly a dream destination but the Eels do have plenty of cash while the Sea Eagles are financially squeezed after spending a truckload on retaining other stars. The 118kg "T-Rex" started his career with the Eels in 2008, and will link up with another former Manly star, Will Hopoate.
5. They said it
"It was good to get away from the daily grind of going to a football paddock and do something different. Half of these Parramatta boys haven't even seen a beach before and it was good fun." Parramatta prop Justin Poore, after their two-day camp on the central coast. Aha, never been bodysurfing, now, that's what's wrong with the Eels.
"We're winning, even though we are not playing very well. At this stage of the season, we just need to be winning. At the end of the year, you don't look back at the margin." Benji Marshall after the Tiger's fourth consecutive narrow win.
6. Sharks to suffer
The Sharks have been dealt the toughest hand during the State of Origin period, as one of only two teams not to receive a bye during the eight weeks. They lost Paul Gallen and Todd Carney for last week's loss to the Bulldogs and the star pair will also be missing for matches against the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Curiously, the Storm have two byes during the same period, meaning they only play one game without their superstars. The Sea Eagles, Titans, Bulldogs and even the Eels also have two breaks during the spell.
