The first Super League fixtures have been completed, but, already some teams and their players are standing out amongst the crowd. Here are the top five performers from Round One.
5. Liam Marshall
Some Wigan fans were questioning Shaun Wane's decision to include youngster Liam Marshall in place of the experienced Joe Burgess on the wing for their opening game against Salford. But, Marshall proved any doubters wrong, scoring two tries including a brilliant effort which wouldn't have looked out of place on Match of the Day. The 21-year-old made a number of impressive, mazy runs, linking up well with full-backs Sam Tomkins and Morgan Escare and doing his fair share of defensive work.
Marshall couldn't have done anything more and firmly justified his selection.
4. Tom Johnstone
Winger Tom Johnstone had been tipped by many to be in with a shot of an England selection before a severe ACL injury ended his 2017 season in May last year. His injury clearly seemed to be behind him as he recorded a hat-trick in Wakefield's victory over newly-promoted Hull KR on Friday night. But, not only did the 22-year-old flier score a hat-trick, it was the fashion in which he finished them; two of his tries were spectacular, diving efforts which consolidated his reputation as one of the best finishers in the game.
3. Richie Myler
After a few disappointing seasons with Catalans Dragons, Richie Myler was hoping to make up for lost time at his new club Leeds.
And, boy did he do just that; Myler gave a superb all-round display, setting up Ryan Hall for one of his tries with a pin-point chip to the corner, but he also controlled the game brilliantly. It was a blast from the past from the 27-year-old and the Rhinos' fans will be hoping for more of the same as they look to defend their Super League crown.
2. Mark Percival
Extremely unlucky to not feature more for England in their World Cup campaign in 2017, Mark Percival showed just why England head coach Wayne Bennett's decision to leave him out was wrong. Percival scored a hat-trick and put in an impressive performance as Saints thrashed last year's Grand Finalists Castleford 46-6.
Aged just 23, Percival displayed a maturity that belies his youthful age, outclassing his opposite number Jake Webster - a rare feat in itself.
1. Ben Barba
Going into Friday night's fixture against Castleford, Ben Barba was the name that was on everyone's lips. Though he played just five times towards the back end of the 2017 season, the full-back had already shown just what he was capable of. And, with St Helens widely tipped to win silverware in 2018, Barba was predicted to be the man to get the Lancashire club over the line. Well, he did not disappoint.
Scoring a brace, setting up four and having a hand in everything that the Saints did well, the Dally M Medal winner rang rings around his opponents as the Saints put last season's league leaders to the sword.
His arcing runs and stoic defence - epitomised with his crunching tackle on Tigers' Greg Eden as the latter attempted to break the line - left Castleford clutching at straws. Barba's performance firmly set the tone for what should be an exciting year for Saints' fans.
