TACKLE 1: Issac Luke embarrassed the game

South Sydney hooker Issac Luke took a dive to give South Sydney an extra-time win over North Queensland in a putrid and embarrassing act that should see him banished from first grade. With the match in golden point after a scintillating comeback, Luke received a tap on the cheek from Cowboys hooker James Segeyaro. It was technically a penalty but the refs called play on, as they should have, because those glancing blows have never been penalties in rugby league. When a penalty wasn't blown, Luke stayed down. Rugby league is a game built on masculine pride. Divers like Luke embarrass the code, making it a soft and cringe-worthy spectacle.

TACKLE 2: What is wrong with Jamie Soward?

Jamie Soward has regressed from one of the leading players in the NRL to a total liability in the space of a month. His form has gone so far south that he a very real possibility of being dropped before the finals. The New South Wales No.6 has rightly been considered one of the top playmakers in the game but over the last month he has been among the worst players in the game. The demise of the Dragons has strongly coincided with the sharp form-drop of Soward with the pivot not only struggling to set the backline alight but missing tackles, standing out of position and worst of all, refusing to catch high kicks. If he is injured, he shouldn't be playing first grade. If he isn't, he is very close to being dropped.

Jim Dymock's failure to get Canterbury to the finals should mean he does not get the job as head coach in 2012. Dymock had ample opportunity to get the Bulldogs into the finals after replacing Kevin Moore but losses to the Roosters and Manly proved costly. Canterbury have improved under Dymock and looked good at times against the premiership hopefuls but they again failed to make the most of their opportunities. With Ricky Stuart on the outer due to his failure to relinquish the NSW job, Mick Potter, Justin Morgan and Daniel Anderson are now the favoured candidates, despite the players endorsing Dymock.

TACKLE 4: Harrigan's 20-40 worth looking at

The NRL should look at trialling Bill Harrigan's proposed 20-40 rule during meaningless matches at the end of this season and the NRL All-Stars match in 2012. Harrigan is looking to introduce a rule that would reward an attacking team pegged on their own line by giving them the loose head and feed if they can put it out inside the opposition's 40, similar to the 40-20 rule currently in place. The effect of such a rule should be more attacking football. It could lead to earlier kicks that could give the attacking team a chance in attacking territory or the defending team a chance in top field position. This proposal has plenty of merit.

TACKLE 5: Rugby League loses a true warrior

Canberra Raiders legend Alan Tongue last week announced his retirement. He will play his final home game this weekend. The former Dally M Captain of the Year has been an inspirational figure in Canberra since debuting in 2000, leading the Raiders through an era that saw little success. At his best, in 2005-07, Tongue was the game's leading workhorse, a skilful tackling machine who a team could be built around. If it wasn't for the silly views about big bodies and edge runners from NSW selectors, he would surely have played Origin, as he deserved to. His timing is right. There is no longer a role for him at Canberra. But his contribution as one of the great Raiders should never be forgotten.

TACKLE 6: Kevin Locke is the next Billy Slater

New Zealand Warriors fullback Kevin Locke continues to develop as a first grader and again stamped himself as a star in the making with a sensational showing against Penrith. Locke was exceptional on both sides of the ball. He showed his outstanding pace by rounding up speedster Michael Jennings within 20 metres when spotting him five start. His positional play is near-perfect. And his attack on the ball is genuinely thrilling with his try before half-time, where he took a sliding baseball catch to slip through and then sprint away for an incredible try. Locke is most similar in style to Billy Slater and if he continues his ascent, he may find himself in the same class in the near future.