First tackle: JT proves Brandy is right

When former halfback Greg Alexander criticised Johnathan Thurston's form ahead of the Cowboys home clash with the Bulldogs, not many people expected Thurston to come out and prove him right. Alexander said that Thurston looked like a player who had signed on for one season too many, that he had lost a yard of pace and that he was finding himself tackled a whole lot more than he used to.

Former Queensland teammate and New South Wales favourite Justin Hodges came to Thurston's defence, suggesting it was a risky undertaking to criticise a champion like JT. The rugby league world expected Thurston to play a blinder in thrashing the struggling Bulldogs in front of his adoring Townsville crowd. Instead he only added credibility to Alexander's comments.

Johnathan Thurston Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Thurston's timing is out, he is missing the mark with passes, his kicking game lacks its usual accuracy and he is being hit by defenders a whole lot more. It would be crazy to suggest that he can't turn things around, but it seems we are seeing an incredible career head towards its inevitable end.

Second tackle: Chooks simply awful

I never thought the Roosters would win the 2018 premiership, but plenty of good judges did, once they had added Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco to their ranks. After what I saw from them on Thursday night, I am willing to say that they will definitely not be lifting the Cup this year.

Premierships are built on defence, on forward toughness, on presenting an impenetrable wall of pain in and around the ruck. The Roosters forwards presented a tissue paper banner through which Damien Cook and the lesser Burgess brothers ran all night. It doesn't matter how great your halfback is or how much money you spend on your backline, if your forwards are performing like that, you cannot win a premiership.

Blake Ferguson Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Roosters' problems aren't confined to the forwards either. Out wide Blake Ferguson showed why he should definitely not be wearing a Blues jersey this year. During the Rabbitohs first half try, Ferguson was caught flat footed and ball watching as the backline play headed his way. It's a fault in his game that has raised its ugly head at club and representative level. It's not good enough for a first grade winger to be standing five metres out from his own line as his opposite winger crosses untouched. It's not as though he comes in to take the inside runner, he takes absolutely no one.

The Roosters are in real trouble, and the Rabbitohs have shown the rest of the competition the best way to beat them.

Third tackle: Fifita on fire

The unbeaten run of St George Illawarra Dragons looked under threat from a one-man wrecking machine in a Sharks jersey on Friday night, as Andrew Fifita turned on quite a show in the early exchanges.

The Sharks prop and Tongan international turned up to play and was at his destructive best, until he limped off before halftime. As distressing as it would have been for Dragons fans to see him tearing through their ranks, how frustrating would it have been for Sharks fans?

Andrew Fifita Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In that mood, he is close to the greatest front rower to ever play the game. He did the same thing for New South Wales in State of Origin I last year, almost single-handedly beating the mighty Maroons. The year before he turned it on to destroy the Storm in the grand final. Sharks fans just want to know where he disappears to during the countless other games each year.

Fourth tackle: Tipping madness continues

Footy tipping is a painful pursuit at the best of times, but when you have a season like this, and form lines are all over the place, it becomes almost unbearable. How can you reliably make a decision on how the Bulldogs or Broncos are going to perform from one week to the next?

There was no way any fair judge of rugby league could tip the Broncos to topple the unbeaten Warriors in Auckland or the Bulldogs to travel to Townsville to beat the Cowboys. What about the Sea Eagles? Only good at home, right? Well that was until the Tigers towelled them up at Brookvale.

Aaron Woods Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Roosters were just taking some time to fit Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco into the team. Once they clicked, like they did against the Sharks last week, they'd be on their way. This week they were set to continue that run against the Rabbitohs, until their forwards decided that tackling was not on the menu.

One thing is for certain, no matter how tempting the match-up might be, there'll be no tipping the Eels to break their duck. I have learnt a hard lesson there.

Fifth and last: Time to stop doubting the Tigers

Coach Ivan Cleary has something special going at Wests Tigers. Any coach that has taken the Warriors to a grand final during his career, must possess a set of skills that include incredible man management and motivational abilities.