To play 300 games at the top level in one of the most demanding positions on the field - halfback - is a magnificent achievement.

He's done it after coming into first grade very young as a 17-year-old at a club like the Sydney Roosters, with an enormous amount of pressure on him.

He's had his moments off the field but in that regard, I admire the way he has always manned up, he's owned his mistakes and just picked himself up and dusted himself off and forged ahead.

The game is full of great competitors but none greater than him.

He is someone who inspires with his want and his will to win and wears his heart on his sleeve.

You just always know how much it means to him.

The pressure has always been immense for him being a chief playmaker and being at a club like the Sydney Roosters and then moving to Newcastle to take up the challenge of lifting the Knights off the canvas and driving them towards another premiership.

The thing about him is he doesn't look like slowing down either.

He was in the spotlight during the off-season for the wrong reasons but has started the season off really well form-wise.

Who knows how many games he can go on and play.

He's really robust, he hasn't missed a lot of games and he is still one of the elite players in the competition.

Aerobically, he is super fit, he's as tough as they come, he is a good decision-maker and he's a guy who always plays at a high standard, lays it on the line every week and gives his absolute all.

The number (300) is a huge milestone to tick off.

When you think of all of the players who have played in the NRL, only 41 in the history of our game have got to 300. He'll be number 42.

So hopefully, the whole of Newcastle will celebrate it and his teammates will rise to the occasion as well on Sunday against the Wests Tigers because it's a magnificent effort.

Only the elite of the elite get to a number like that.

There are some really good matches in this round but the Sydney Roosters versus South Sydney Rabbitohs clash is one of the standouts.

These two teams could easily find themselves in the big one at the end of the season and I've got no doubt this one is going to be a cracking battle.

There is genuine rivalry and bad blood between the teams, there is plenty of feeling, bordering on hatred among the fans of the two clubs - it's mouth-watering just thinking about it.

The individual match-ups - Tedesco v Mitchell at fullback and Keary v Reynolds/Walker in the halves are the highlights for me.

Tedesco has started the season in outstanding touch for the Roosters just with his remarkable involvement for the full 80 minutes and the way he bobs up everywhere, making him such a dangerous proposition for any defence.

Mitchell's style is different - he picks his times and moments but he can catch and pass out the back for his supports or push up through the middle of the field and you just know that when he gets the footy in his hands, something is going to happen around him.

You also know he is going to be that little bit more motivated and dangerous in this one because he is up against his old club.

As for the halves, Keary could not have been more impressive for the Chooks, switching to halfback in the opening two rounds, while Reynolds doesn't seem to be affected at all by the controversy surrounding his possible contract extension at Souths.

His combination with Walker is going to be crucial for the Bunnies.

Souths utterly embarrassed the Roosters the last time these two sides met in the final round before the play-offs last season.

You just know the bitter taste of that 60-8 scoreline will still be lingering at Bondi.

On the strength of their form to date, the Roosters deserve favouritism and I think they will win but Souths will be up massively for this game and I'm tipping it will go right down to the wire. My tip: Roosters.

DRAGONS v EAGLES: Manly haven't given us anything at all so far and seem to be lacking energy and confidence while there were some great signs from the Dragons in the way they defended their line in Townsville. My tip: Dragons.

RAIDERS v WARRIORS: The Raiders are getting the job done without being very impressive but they love being at home and I doubt the Warriors have the attacking fire-power to cause an upset here. My tip: Raiders.

BRONCOS v BULLDOGS: Both teams have been very underwhelming but there will be massive pressure on Kevvie Walters and the Broncos if they don't win this one and start the season 0 and 3. My tip: Broncos.

EELS v SHARKS: I'm liking the Eels patience and control with the footy in the early rounds and they will be too classy for the plucky Sharks. My tip: Eels.

KNIGHTS v TIGERS: The Tigers have lost to two heavyweights but will need to show a lot more in this one. Strike the Knights celebrating Pearce's 300th. My tip: Knights.

COWBOYS v TITANS: They are at home but you can't tip the Cowboys on the strength of what they have dished up in the opening two rounds. My tip: Titans.