KEY POINTS:
What will Steven Price first ask today's referee at the pre-game discussion and coin toss? "Excuse me, sir, can you check the tackles of the Storm players in the ruck area?"
I'm sure every captain will ask a similar question from today through to the playoffs.
Such issues
seem to arise at the business end of the season and against the Melbourne Storm in particular, as they have been leaders in finding ways to slow the opposition's play-the-ball.
The uproar from many coaches toward the Melbourne club and their effective tactic is way over the top. All we are seeing is the game evolving.
The Storm have made an art of ways to manipulate the tackle to prevent quick play-the-balls. Most teams have already tried to copy the techniques or contracted wrestling coaches or martial arts experts for their own improvement in this area.
What's all the fuss about? It's more than likely the only people critical of this issue are those without a programme for this most specialised area.
We have seen so many progressions over the years, what's so different about this innovation? Nothing - just get on with playing the game.
Remember when the 'turtle' was introduced into the tackle? No-one complained and soon everyone had implemented it.
Not long after, gang tackles became vogue. The banana kick and Australian Rules kicking variations were adopted and are common, even in rugby union.
An adaptation from one sport is not unusual if it helps improve any particular facet. Wrestling or holds from the martial arts are new and, unless the rules are changed, they will remain. So either adapt and improve or keep quiet and stay the same.
I was on the Gold Coast last week and attended a number of the Titans' training sessions, because of a long-time friendship with assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister. I also know coach John Cartwright well from when he was Ricky Stuart's assistant at the Roosters.
I watched their martial arts trainer and was totally impressed with the technical aspects of what they were doing and why.
I gained a totally different perspective of the tackle. The Titans are not a physically big team, which is why they have turned to this form of defensive tactic.
Any team that initiates a new trend should be congratulated and not vilified, so we should be thanking Craig Bellamy for his foresight in bringing a new dimension to the sport.
Believe me, it will not take long for another code to try to exploit similar benefits.
Stop whinging and get on with playing the game. If you can't keep up - do something about it.