There were shock defeats, drought-ending wins and some jaw-dropping individual performances across Anzac round.
Recapping all the big moments and talking points out of round seven, here's what we liked and didn't like from each game.
PENRITH PANTHERS 24 - 6 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
What we liked: Origin bolter Brian To'o
He might have his work cut out for him taking a spot off Daniel Tupou or Josh Addo-Carr, but Panthers flyer Brian To'o is certainly mounting a case for a NSW Origin debut.
The 22-year old has previously played for Samoa at international level, but is eligible for the Blues after growing up in Sydney and representing NSW at under-age level in the past.
On Thursday night against Newcastle, it was more than just another typical performance from To'o, as the winger finished with 336 metres, four tackle breaks and the match-sealing try.
His performances to start the 2021 season have been fanastic, and this one might have been his best to date.
What we didn't like: Knights' lack of polish
Adam O'Brien made a point to call out his spine's inability to create points - but he didn't need to, because it was clear to everyone watching the game.
Newcastle are certainly missing Mitchell Pearce at the moment, and despite the best efforts of Kurt Mann on Thursday, they are lacking the polish to score points against the top sides.
Kalyn Ponga is an electrifying player and unfortunately for him, a lot of pressure is on him to create opportunities for his team.
The fact that the Knights' only try came from a long-range solo effort from Starford To'a is the proof of a side that is struggling at times to gel.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 40 - 30 GOLD COAST TITANS
What we liked: Benji brilliance
How good is it to see 36-year old Benji Marshall lighting up the NRL once again?
The veteran playmaker was in everything for the Rabbitohs in their second-half comeback, scoring two tries and setting up another in a performance likened to his glory days in 2005.
Marshall has been an astute signing for South Sydney, and he showed on Friday night once again why other clubs were silly to pass up his services heading into the season.
What we didn't like: Titans fading out
If it weren't for David Fifita, this scoreline would have been seriously ugly.
The second-rower crossed for three tries in the first half as the Titans took a 24-10 lead, but in the second 40 minutes he was barely cited as his side struggled to build momentum.
South Sydney scored 20 unanswered points before Tyrone Peachey equalised, and after that they fell off once again for their second-straight defeat.
Justin Holbrook's side can clearly score points, but they need to play for a full 80 minutes in both attack and defence if they are going to be a genuine threat this year.
PARRAMATTA EELS 46 - 6 BRISBANE BRONCOS
What we liked: The return of the 'Carty Party'
During the early stages of his career, Bryce Cartwright was one of the most exciting players in the game to watch - and he looks to be getting some of his mojo back after some lean seasons at the Titans.
Cartwright scored a try, set up another, made two linebreaks and ran for 129 metres in the 40-point victory, and provided a real point of difference for the Parramatta attack.
While his attack was important, he was also rock-solid in defence with 19 tackles and no misses. Defence has been a major issue in his game for his entire career, so he will be happy with that display.
What we didn't like: Brisbane's right-edge defence
Brodie Croft, Herbie Farnworth and Xavier Coates had a tough night out in Darwin.
The trio were responsible for a plethora of the Eels points, and there was a clear lack of trust between them whenever the opposition were on the attack.
Maika Sivo crossed for a hat-trick, while Tom Opacic and Bryce Cartwright also crossed for tries down their side. It was a very poor effort defensively for the Broncos, just as it was with the ball.
Next weekend it won't be any easier, with Titans wrecking ball David Fifita running at them.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 18 - 12 CRONULLA SHARKS
What we liked: Trent Barrett's emotion after the game
This is what rugby league is all about - while Trent Barrett's side won't be competing for a premiership this year, moments like this are special.
In his first year as Bulldogs coach, Barrett has struggled to turn the club around - but despite being massive underdogs, they came away with the win.
The emotion on his face after the game showed how important it is for him to turn the Bulldogs around, and it's hard not to root for him to do that.
What we didn't like: Cronulla's experienced players
With some big names sidelined and coming off two losses on the trot, Josh Hannay would have been expecting his big-name players to stand up.
Unfortunately for him, they were a large part of why they lost to the previously 0-6 Bulldogs side.
Josh Dugan came up with a plethora of handling errors, while Chad Townsend's game management left plenty of question marks over the Cowboys decision to sign him for 2022.
MANLY SEA EAGLES 40-6 WESTS TIGERS
What we liked: DCE's blinder
His form and leadership has been questioned all year so far, but Daly Cherry-Evans silenced his critics with a masterful individual display in the rout of the Tigers.
The halfback scored two first-half tries to go with his three try assists and 114 run metres in what was a true captain's knock.
The Sea Eagles are a far more dangerous outfit when Cherry-Evans is on, let alone when he's linking up with Tom Trbojevic, and the Sea Eagles skipper has looked like a completely new player with his fullback in the side.
What we didn't like: Same old flimsy Tigers
After they showed some resolve last week in a narrow loss to the Rabbitohs, Tigers fans will be scratching their heads over what their side put up against Manly.
It was another hapless defensive display from Michael Maguire's side, who conceded seven tries on their home ground of Bankwest Stadium against a Manly side who, albeit now have Tom Trbojevic, haven't been a consistently strong team so far this year.
Maguire continues to trot out the 'mentality' each week, but it's becoming desperate now.
On paper, Maguire has a team that should still be contesting for a top eight spot, but what they bring to the field week-to-week isn't of NRL standard.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 34-10 ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
What we liked: Sam Walker's display on the big stage
He's already proven he's a winner in his four NRL games for the Roosters, but Sam Walker reaffirmed the excitement around his talents in a man-of-the-match game against the Dragons.
Walker brought his best to the occassion once again, nabbing a try, a try assist and having a hand in two others to steer his side to a memorable Anzac Day victory.
Carrying the pressure of replacing the injured Luke Keary, Walker continues to stand up and carry the Roosters on his shoulders in a remarkable fashion for a 19-year-old.
What we disliked: Anthony Griffin's team selection surprises
It was one of those things that would've been widely applauded had it paid off – but Anthony Griffin's mass team changes only exposed the Dragons in their poor Anzac Day loss to the Roosters.
Bringing in Billy Burns for Josh Kerr and Jordan Periera to cover Jack Bird's move to five-eighth caused the side some issues in both attack and defence on arguably the most important regualr season game of their campaign.
While Bird looked dangerous with his hands on the ball more in the No. 6 role, it was a big ask bringing in Burns for his club debut and Pereira, who hasn't played a first-grade game yet this year, in arguably the biggest regular season game of the year.
With Ben Hunt returning next week, Bird will likely move back to the centres, or perhaps into a roaming lock role, but regradless Griffin will rue the changes following such a heavy loss on a big occassion.
MELBOURNE STORM 42-20 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
What we liked: Jahrome Hughes getting back to 2020 form
After what he did for Melbourne last year, Jahrome Hughes will admit himself he's had a quiet start to the new season.
But on Sunday night, the Storm star was at his absolute best in the rout of the Warriors, laying on a whopping four tries to steer his side to a 22-point win.
It was a stern reminder of what the Warriors missed out on, after they tried to lure the premiership-winning No. 7 for next season before he opted to remain loyal to Melbourne.
What we disliked: Josh Curran's inexplainable sin-binning
Josh Curran was sin-binned for what looked to many like an innocuous collision with no use of shoulder, and fans were livid.
Curran collided front on with Storm winger George Jennings and in fact appeared to come off second best, but the collision unfortunately caused Jennings to be concussed.
Bunker replays of the clash showed that Curran and Jennings had collided heads without there being any form of illegal cointact, but referee Matt Checcin surprisingly opted to sin-bin Curran.
It proved to be a major turning point in the match as the Storm took advantage of their 12-man opposition, and caused a ferocious stir online from fans.
