Tackle 1: A violent overreaction

The NRL match review panel and judiciary got it terribly wrong with the suspensions they dished out following the "Brawl at Brookvale". The first mistake was made when Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair were both referred straight to the judiciary while Brett Stewart, the player who escalated the brawl by charging across when his brother and Blair went at it on the sideline, was given only a week on the guilty plea. The Manly fullback was the most culpable in the incident and can consider himself lucky not to have received the season. The second major error was the decision by the judiciary to out Blair for the season while giving Glenn Stewart only three weeks, allowing him to return for the preliminary final. Stewart waited for Blair. If anyone deserved longer, it was Glenn - although both deserved no more than two weeks. The dramatic overreaction is nothing more than cheap pandering to the tabloids and legion of soccer mums. 

The Melbourne Storm's premiership hopes took a significant blow when five-eighth Gareth Widdop went down with what appears to be a serious ankle injury that could keep him out for up to a month. Widdop attempted to battle through the pain in the loss to the Roosters but was assisted from the field with what appeared to be ligament damage. The lively Storm No.6 has been outstanding in his first full season, particularly considering he was transformed from a fullback in the offseason, and plays a critical role as a running/playmaking threat down the left hand side, alleviating pressure on Cooper Cronk while a perennial danger to fringe defenders. The Storm need Widdop back to win the premiership. 

Tackle 3: Thaiday in strife

The Brisbane Broncos have a nasty wait on the fate of Sam Thaiday after an unpleasant tackle that saw Thaiday lift Manly's Brent Kite and dump him on his neck/head. There was no malice in it with Thaiday simply attempting a driving tackle but there is no doubt that Kite ended up in a dangerous position and was forced from the field with an apparent concussion. Thaiday may, however, be saved by his solid recent judiciary record with the burly backrower having not been suspended since 2007. He is likely to miss some time, though, and with fullback Josh Hoffman also expected to be sidelined through injury, Darren Lockyer's farewell run has found trouble. 

Tackle 4: Todd Carney is gone

It appears likely that Todd Carney will this week have his contract torn up by the Sydney Roosters, a sad but necessary end to a turbulent two-year stint at the club that netted a Dally M Medal but one that was never likely to end well. His position at the club is now untenable with it quite apparent that the senior playing group have little desire to play with him and coach Brian Smith clearly of the belief he doesn't belong at the club. With an NRL club unlikely to offer him a lifeline, Carney will likely move to France. He will eventually get another shot with an NRL club and it will again end in disaster but talent, seemingly, overrides all else. 

Tackle 5: Internet streaming must be a priority

The NRL must make provisions to allow for live legal internet streaming of all matches across Australia when the new television deal is negotiated. The NRL must look at something like the "NFL Pass" package, which allows subscribers to get every game live over the internet for a fee of around $120. Viewing habits are changing and Australia is becoming a more transient society and rugby league fans must be provided for. When viewers in the United States can watch a State of Origin match before viewers in Perth and Adelaide, the NRL must step in and allow rugby league fans everywhere to engage with the sport. There is no doubt that all matches in the next broadcast deal will be covered live. Let's just hope rugby league fans across Australia, and not just in the heartlands, are catered for. 

Tackle 6: Champions sent out in style

One of the most touching rugby league traditions is to see retiring legends honoured by being given the last shot at goal in what will be their final game. It is a moving and sweet tribute to a select few champions who provided so much to the game and their club. This weekend, Adam MacDougall, Anthony Laffranchi and Andrew Ryan were all given the honour of a final kick. Ryan, after 290 games, managed two after the Bulldogs scored twice in the final five minutes. Laffranchi and Ryan have both now played their final games while Adam MacDougall will take on the Storm next week in the fourth qualifying final. Laffranchi and Ryan were joined in retirement over the weekend by Preston Campbell, Alan Tongue, Michael Hodgson, Chris Hicks and Trent Waterhouse, who all played their final NRL games after long and distinguished careers.