ONE month down. Six to go.

Right now it would be easy to bask in the afterglow of South Sydney's hype-eclipsing win over the Bulldogs and Adrian Purtell's last-minute try for Penrith against Newcastle and spit superlatives about the new rugby league season like a sprinkler flouting water restrictions.

It does seem that playing entertaining footy is being rewarded this year - arguably more than it has in the past. Wests Tigers are a joy to behold and their comeback from 22-10 down against Canberra (another fun side to watch) on Sunday reinforced the feeling that it's all sweetness and light in 2010.

But some of the rugby league at the weekend was nothing to write home about. Cronulla's grinding win over Parramatta and Sydney Roosters less-than-consummate success against Brisbane had the ability to make your eyeballs hurt at times.

Manly winger Michael Robertson finished off a spectacular movement for one of the tries against the Warriors but Des Hasler's men are more efficient and scary than dazzling and flighty.

Likewise, if St George Illawarra's Darius Boyd and Brett Morris are shut down - as Melbourne managed to do - the joint venture side is methodical and workmanlike rather than providing thrill-a-minute entertainment.

What we do have after a month is an intriguing competition. Melbourne is alone out in front both in terms of the table and what is actually transpiring on the field. All the playing styles I've clumsily described above, they have the measure of.

Despite the Good Friday defeat to the Storm, the Dragons still give the impression they are nipping at the heels of Craig Bellamy's men and will improve as the season goes on, remaining consistently good in the meantime.

The best way I can sum up the rest of the teams is to use an old mechanism they had on the singles chart, when you'd pick up it up from your local record bar each week (sorry kids). That is: the bullet - a sign that the latest from Sharon O'Neill or Mi Sex was selling quickly and on the ascent.

Put a bullet next to South Sydney (with Issac Luke and Sam Burgess pictured, above). I was glad the Bulldogs didn't stage a meaningful comeback at ANZ Stadium on Easter Monday because the bunnies' tails were up and I wanted them to stay up heading into the next match - so we see what they can really do.

Put another bullet next to Wests Tigers. Benji Marshall, Lote Tuqiri, Gareth Ellis - the United Nations of Rugby League might need to call a meeting of their (ball) security council of the mistakes creep in but for now let's just sit back and enjoy.

Stick another bullet next to the Panthers. Michael Jennings is playing on the wrong side of the field for us to see his full impact and he's injured but when Frank Pritchard presses ‘go' they are going to be a force of nature.

There's four bullets in backpagelead.com.au's chamber. We'll use the final one on North Queensland. Willie Tonga says they looked around the room after the heavy round three loss to the Dragons and realised they had too many good players to be flogged like that.

NQ responded last Saturday night and this week we have the exciting prospect of two ‘bullet' teams - the Cowboys and Wests Tigers - meeting at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

I've thrown in the Roosters and Warriors as sides that should neither improve nor tumble in the month ahead. Their ups and downs will continue, like they're sitting on a rowboat just out beyond the breakers.

Our third category is the parachute - and each of the sides included is going to need one because it is falling fast. Gold Coast needs Scott Prince back quickly. The Bulldogs may just have a few too many senior players to keep pace with the adolescent front runners.

Parramatta and Brisbane? Well if you really need to ask, time to click on the AFL or rugby union panels above and read about a sport you have been following.

And finally, the Raiders. They needed to win last Sunday. They're a really likeable club with some stunningly talented youngsters but if they keep dropping home games they can start planning for 2011.

Then again there IS six months to go....

THE BACKPAGELEAD.COM.AU HIT PARADE

- Dragons

^ Wests Tigers

v Titans

- Warriors

^ Sea Eagles

^ Rabbitohs

^ Panthers

^ Cowboys

v Eels

v Sharks

v Knights

v Raiders

v Broncos

BPL Hit Parade Key:

- Steady as she goes.

^ The bullet. Getting plenty of airplay. Catchy. Could be a big hit.

v The parachute. Zzz. Heading the way of the novelty singles by Austen Tayshus and Plastic Bertrand.