Tackle 1: Ten provides perfect score for League

Network Ten's decision to abandon coverage of Australian rules football is a major boon for the NRL that will see its next television deal surpass $1 billion. Ten last week announced that it would not meet Seven's asking price for games and was subsequently out of the AFL business in what must be a huge disappointment to the southern code. It has since been reported that Ten plan on launching a huge play for Friday Night Football. With Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer at Ten, it was not surprising that Ten would switch allegiances to the stronger rating code but it does come as a shock that Ten would have the finances to compete for the marquee free-to-air games. Nine boss David Gyngell responded by saying Nine would pay what was required to retain the rights. With Seven also indicating a keenness for the rights, a three-way free-to-air bidding war is on and rugby league will be the big winner with two networks almost assured of getting some of the pie at what will be a large cost.

Tackle 2: Perth braves big wet

Rugby league has a future in Perth and a bright one at that. Despite a once in a decade downpour on Friday night that saw the entire field drenched in a scene reminiscent of the late 1980s, 15,371 hardy souls saw South Sydney down Brisbane 16-12. It was a tremendous showing in awful weather in a rugby league outpost. It is only a matter of time before the Western Reds are in the NRL but that time should be 2013 and no later. Perth is craving rugby league and it can carve out a nice niche in the AFL city.

Tackle 3: Tim Sheens is treading on thin ice

Tim Sheens' decision to completely re-shape the Tigers forward pack is a gross miscalculation of the ability he has on hand and his recruitment of Adam Blair is going to create more harm than good. Already Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita have signed with the Sharks with Liam Fulton expected to do same very soon. And now the Tigers best forward of the last four years, Chris Heighington, has been told to look elsewhere with the bustling lock being linked to Penrith. Heighington is a top class player and if the Tigers let him go, they deserve the sharp fall that is coming.

Tackle 4: Stuart's squad not a good sign

Ricky Stuart's decision to name a 20-man squad reeks of the same indecision that saw the Australian cricket selectors pick a squad of 17 leading into this year's Ashes humiliation. Stuart is looking to provide cover for injuries but by naming a squad sans positions, he has created uncertainty and instability. There is absolutely no way Michael Jennings should have been named considering he hasn't played a full game since Origin I while no cover has been made for Kurt Gidley, showing the wild inconsistency in selection. New South Wales looked in the box seat after Origin II but this selection has cast a significant pall over that notion.

Tackle 5: Trouble at Bondi

The Roosters are looking to become the first team of the Grand Final era to go from playing in the decider to winning the wooden spoon based on their most recent inept performance against the Knights. Following on from an embarrassing 21-4 loss to the Storm, who were missing their stars, a Knights team with a halves combination that had a total of five games experience heading into the match completely outplayed the Roosters playmaking trio of Anasta, Carney and Pearce, who have a Dally M Medal, 15 Origins and five Tests between them. It was an utter humiliation with the Roosters out-hustled and out-enthused all over the park. The Roosters managed only 10 points, making it 10 straight weeks that the club has not broken 13 points. Even during the dark days of Ricky Stuart's reign at the Sharks where their attack could easily have been mistaken for a wet newspaper attacking The Incredible Hulk, the Sharks did not manage a streak of 13 or less for longer than five weeks. Only the Gold Coast Titans will stop the Roosters going spoon/Grand Final/spoon.

Tackle 6: The NRL must control scheduling

When the next television deal is completed, the NRL must take full control of scheduling. It is fine if the NRL decides to maintain its rolling five-week schedule but it is not acceptable to allow television networks to dictate the positioning of games, particularly when they impact game venues and days of celebration. That is what has happened in round 22 this year with the Tigers-Dragons game moved from the SCG to the SFS because Nine picked the game to be played on Friday night. The match was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Grand Final between St George and Western Suburbs. The NRL cannot allow such an atrocity to continue any longer. Scheduling is critical and must remain in the hands of the League.