WEEK two of the Super League restart and another stunning performance from Saints to talk about.

1. Watching the opening round games without crowds gives those privileged enough to be in attendance a different perspective on the game.

One big one is the noise from the players. It is interesting hearing their shouts and try to decipher any calls from the plays - particularly the ones towards the back end. But the players are so well drilled they seemed to run into place seamlessly.

St Helens Star:

One voice can be heard more than most - with James Graham's passionate Maghull tone barking orders, advice and encouragement to all in the Red Vee. The old warhorse has proven to be an inspired signing so far - and is still every bit as much that sort of leader that plants the standard in the ground from the outset for his teammates to rally around.

St Helens Star:

The silence from the terraces also allows you to hear another noise which gives observers an even greater respect for those 26 players - that is the sound of the collision. That crack when the immovable object from one lump of muscle and bone hits an unstoppable force.

No wonder coaches always reference "the usual bumps and bruises."

2. One thing we seemed to hear more of on Sunday was the referee's whistle for high tackles. Leeds were pinged a number of times.

Now is that down to poor technique, ring-rust or fatigue from a team being run ragged?

But it does lead to pondering another question going forward. With the game now speeded up, and there now no longer option for those soft holding down penalties when under the cosh, will some teams actually resort to minor foul play to grab a breather or disrupt the attacking team's rhythm?

St Helens Star:

3. I was sent the link to a large piece on Wales Online on Monday - with the headline, "Regan Grace scores one of the best hat-tricks rugby has ever seen as WRU urged to get him back."

It is fantastic that the Welsh flier is being talked of back home and hopefully that will encourage more from that neck of the woods.....but hands off, he's ours.

St Helens Star:

With nimble feet, great spatial awareness and raw speed Grace is the sort of talent that the game needs as box office calling cards during what will continue to be a tough time for all sport. It has been said countless times - from fans who go back to the days of Tom van Vollenhoven - nothing gets those supporters roaring out of their seats more than a flying flankman.

It was just a pity those fans had to roar at screens instead of doing it in the flesh on Sunday...

St Helens Star:

4. Saints have been a different team to the one that stuttered in the opening rounds. I don't think its due to some sort of Road to Damascus conversion from coach Kristian Woolf.. Rather it is probably down to a combination of factors.

A fit and fully recuperated squad that has the key members of that spine - especially James Roby and Lachlan Coote - in tip-top shape, an invigorated pack that has powered through teams and allowed them to play hard and fast off the back of those yards - with the six again allowing them to keep rolling and let's not underestimate the conditions.

St Helens Star:

The firmer grounds and green baize surface of Headingley has been perfect for the ball players to zip that ball about for the speedsters to polish them off.

Long way to go yet, but it is great to see Saints still playing with a smile on their faces.

5. With so many players standing out - the props, James Bentley and the flying wings - it is easy to overlook telling contributions.

St Helens Star:

It was positive to see Theo Fages taking more leadership as the out and out seven rather than deferring to half partner Jonny Lomax and Lachlan Coote, whose left boot was deployed a lot last season.

Fages was go-to man for for most of the ends of set attacking kicks - and although he seems to have been around for a while it is a role he is still developing in and perfecting. Overall he had a decent game, with his footwork wrong-footing the Leeds defence on occasion and he backed up Big Al well for the try late in the game.

St Helens Star:

6. The manner of Saints' win lifted them above the cluster and into second place. That is really important.

Although we can get carried away with two wins, and at the moment Saints look pretty impressive, this season will be like no other.

In such a truncated season it was vital that Saints were not chasing the top four by the mid-point, with their destiny in the hands of others, particularly as we never know what is around the corner injury wise. But the manner of Saints' return to action - combined with the strength in depth of the squad - should fill everyone with confidence that they can achieve what they last did 20 years ago and back up as champions.