One down, 24 to go.

The first eight games of the 2021 NRL season didn't just provide us with our initial set of winners and losers, it raised another series of questions.

With each of the league's 16 teams set to do battle again this weekend, we attempted to answer the major issues facing their playing lists and coaches alike.

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Will their big names continue to make an impact?

Prior to their season opener against local rivals St. George, many, myself included, were speculative about what the Sharks' big money men would bring to the table in 2021.

After 80-minutes on a wet and wild Sunday evening at Kogarah, Aaron Woods, Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan dished me up dinner โ€“ my own words.

Dugan's third minute dot down and Woods' effort four minutes from full-time bookended the Sharks scoring, with Moylan putting in a commendable shift at five-eighth alongside influential half Chad Townsend.

Now, I don't expect this trio to be waiting on me weekly, but credit where credit is due, their sterling work rates proved the difference in Cronulla's 32-18 win against the disastrous Dragons.

The question is whether or not they can continue to replicate this each week in a season that will see them come out of contract at Shark Park. All were entitled to feel proud of their efforts, but with the vast majority of the marathon still ahead of them and a date against Premiership challengers Canberra on Sunday, Shire natives will be hoping the backslapping quickly turned to tackle bagging.

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