Tackle 1: The Time is Right for a Knockout Cup

Phil Gould was on the money when he recommended a midseason knockout cup a number of weeks back. The end of the Dragons' 10-week undefeated run thanks, primarily, to six missing Origin players attests to that. But rather than being a four-week window, the current draw should remain the same with the exceptions of representative weekends where, just as the EPL stops for the FA Cup, the NRL stops for a knockout cup with perhaps the old City Cup being reborn. This presents an amazing opportunity for the NRL. The four weeks off would be for Test/City-Country and the three Origins with Origin to be played on Monday nights. The knockout cup would provide an opportunity for silverware for teams struggling in the premiership race. Some clubs would rest players while others would go hard. Games could be taken to the country. Or cheap double-headers could be staged at suburban grounds. The TV rights could be sold separately. It breaks up the midseason malaise. It is an idea the NRL should give real consideration to.

Tackle 2: Conditions Put NSW Back in the Race

The forecast wet conditions make Ricky Stuart's decision to play five backrowers and only two props seem smart. Sydney has been drenched with a week of heavy rain, which is sure to make the ANZ Stadium track slippery. That should suit the more athletic and lithe NSW pack, whose advantage will come in their lateral movement and ability to move in behind the sizeable Queensland forwards. Wet and slippery conditions will particularly suit Luke Lewis and Anthony Watmough, who now look set to add some real impetus off the pine in Origin II. Expect a lot of inside balls and angled running.

Tackle 3: An Astonishing Decision

Poor Beau Henry. After being forced out of the Dragons by Wayne Bennett, the young pivot has now been squeezed out of the Knights. Henry did not even make it to the end of the year, shifting to the Titans over the weekend. Henry is a young five-eighth with plenty of talent and while his move to the Titans provides some long-term stability, it is astonishing that the Knights would let Henry go now as they battle for a top eight berth without regular halfback Jarrod Mullen and backups Ben Rogers and Tyrone Roberts, all out injured. Newcastle fans cannot be happy. Their chances of a finals spot in 2011 have just taken a brutal blow.

Tackle 4: The Most Dynamic Player in the NRL

Benji Marshall is not the best player in the NRL. That mantle is being fought out by Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, both of whom perform at a significantly high level week in and week out, playing a large role in the success of their respective clubs not only each match but each set. The Tigers No.6 lacks that consistency. He can go missing in games and can go through the motions for weeks on end. But when he is on song, focussed and committed, there is no bigger game-breaker in the NRL. He showed that again on Sunday when almost single-handedly, he pulled the Tigers over the line against the Warriors. Down 22-4, the Tigers, playing at the same mediocre level they had been for the last month, were as good as beaten. Benji then clicked on and willed the Tigers over the line, leading his club to a memorable 26-22 win. He has just kicked the Tigers into gear and they should play with renewed confidence over the coming weeks. Undeserved wins are what builds a finals run and that is exactly what the Tigers have been accumulating in recent weeks.

Tackle 5: What is Wrong with the Roosters Attack?

For the ninth straight week, the Roosters have failed to break 13 points. Over that time, they have won twice. This is a team with the NSW halfback, the reigning Dally M medallist, the former NSW five-eighth, the current Origin fullback and two New Zealand internationals in the three-quarter line. To call the attack disjointed and directionless would be an understatement. It is clear the Roosters are not buying into the current system and surely, as another Brian Smith team suffers a massive fade, the mentor is under pressure to keep his job.

Tackle 6: Justin O'Neill Looks a Superstar

If you could bottle potential, Justin O'Neill would only be sold wholesale. Athletic and fast, O'Neill looks readymade for the modern game. He has a ton of ability and given the chance on Monday night with four Storm players on Origin duty, O'Neill seized his opportunity by scoring a double, breaking six tackles and slipping through the line once in a super effort. O'Neill played well last year but has struggled to break into the Storm's top quality 2011 backline. Monday's performance will have given him a ton of confidence and he looks ready to step up to the next level.