Tackle 1: League looks at the big dollars

Estimations that the next television deal will top $1 billion and could be as high as $1.4 billion is spot on the mark despite current rights holders Nine and Foxtel baulking at such a high figure. A consultancy firm hired by the NRL has presented the likely scenario to chief executives and with the NRL reaching a new age of professionalism with the new Independent Commission, rights are expected to be maximised. Nine continues to take the game for granted but should prepare for a major bidding war with both Ten and Seven for key matches including Friday night, Sunday afternoon and the representative slate. Part of realising the true value in the code will, however, be an adherence to Nine boss David Gyngell and his call for the game to have more in-built ads. A move by the NRL to stop the clock in dead-ball situations (scrums, drop-outs, penalties, penalty shots, conversions etc) would have the double benefit of generating more advertising revenue while providing consistency with clock management in the game, a blight on the code for many years. The NRL is on the verge of its biggest payday as the highest rating sport in Australia finally gets the compensation it deserves.

Tackle 2: The game needs Matthew Johns

One of the true benefits of the game leaving Nine would be the return of Matthew Johns to rugby league commentary. Johns is arguably the greatest rugby league commentary talent ever, a knowledgeable former player who has an ability to call a game with both genuine passion and enthusiasm and superior insight. And this is to say nothing of his comedic work on shows like The Footy Show and The Matty Johns Show. David Gyngell reached out to Johns but the former Newcastle pivot is unlikely to ever go back to Nine after he feels he was hung out to dry by the network. Johns is such a fine ambassador for the game and rugby league needs him more involved at both an official and a public level.

Tackle 3: Don't expect any drastic action from the new Commission

The formation of the new Independent Commission is a monumental step forward for rugby league in this country and the day the game is handed over will be arguably the most important day in Australian league history since the formation of the code but those expecting sweeping changes immediately will be bitterly disappointed. That was subtext of new commission chairman John Grant's first major interview, who said the IC does not yet even have a mission. In an interview on ABC Radio, Grant would not comment on expansion and has already committed to backing David Gallop and his team on the direction they wish to take the game. Admittedly, the new commissioners have not been briefed but hopefully, when they are, a stronger and more focussed position is taken by the IC on the pertinent issues facing rugby league.

Tackle 4: City-Country must not die

The annual City-Country match must not die as the current NRL administration and current club bosses are hoping. Next year's match scheduled for Mudgee is set to be the last unless the new Independent Commission intervenes. The Country Rugby League has quickly mobilised and got the likes of Steve Roach, Bob Fulton and Ricky Stuart behind a move to save the match as the CRL looks to appeal directly to the new IC. This will be the first big test for the new commission with this decision set to shape whether the new body acts in the interests of the NRL or rugby league in Australia as a whole. Hopefully it is the latter and City-Country, wonderful due to its importance in the Origin lead-up and because of its recognition of rugby league in the bush, can be saved.

Tackle 5: Stagg injury costly to Canterbury

Jim Dymock may have had his first win as a coach only days after wielding the axe and dropping Test centre Josh Morris but the new Bulldogs mentor will have plenty to worry about with the loss of defensive lynchpin and key Canterbury figure David Stagg. Stagg seemed to seriously injure his ankle in Friday's golden-point win over Parramatta and is unlikely to play again in 2011, taking much of the gloss off the much-needed win. Canterbury are on the precipice of the eight but with Stagg joining Michael Ennis on the sidelines, the Bulldogs middle is looking decidedly suspect at present. It will take a mighty effort for the Bulldogs to slide into the eight.

Tackle 6: Craig Bellamy is Australia's best coach

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is Australia's best coach in any sport and his abilities over the last two years has him stamped as one of the great coaches ever. Melbourne's dominant 26-6 win over Brisbane on Friday night marked the Melbourne Storm as legitimate title contenders and pronounced favourites for the minor premiership and second favourites for the title. It is remarkable that after the controversy-drenched 2010 that saw the Storm publicly flogged and then forced to lose a great deal of talent, the club could lead the competition the following season. It is a remarkable credit to the culture Bellamy has instilled at the Storm and his ability to fit players around key spine figures Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater and get the absolute most out of them. A player like Maurice Blair, languishing in the Penrith reserves team last year, is one example. Bellamy is a lay-down certainty for coach of the year honours.