THURSDAY
THE already much-hyped "six-again" rule has the capacity to increase "ball in play" time by around two minutes per game, according to some NRL number crunchers.
Putting aside any other potential consequences of the one-referee notion and all of those maligned ruck wrestlers, let's break down the figures.
There's eight matches each round, which means 16 extra minutes of footy every weekend.
In the current coronavirus climate this year's competition will have 20 rounds, minus the two played in March, making 288 more minutes for the rest of the season.
Throw in the finals series, 2020 decider and State of Origin, that's a further 24 bonus minutes.
So, based on that theory and despite the COVID-19 disruptions, rugby league fans are actually looking at almost four additional fixtures this campaign.
And that's not even counting any golden-point scenarios.
FRIDAY
With the NRL preparing to return on May 28, Dragons coach Paul McGregor turns his attention to those players without a game.
NSW Cup has already been cancelled and those part of the inner sanctum are now living in biosecurity bubbles, so the man known as Mary feels "we need to be real innovative and come up with ways that we can help one another out through this".
McGregor floats a new reserve-grade competition, possibly in a nines format scheduled before main games and combining players from different clubs.
St George Illawarra could add Cronulla to their already merged venture to make a three-pronged attack? Why not see other rivals join forces like the South Sydney Roosters, the Parramatta Panthers or Gold Coast Cowboys? And why not bring back the long-gone Northern Eagles, more affectionately known as the Beagles?
SATURDAY
While the push to see Andrew "Joey" Johns immortalised in bronze at the Knights' Turton Road headquarters continues, one man already set in stone has joined the great game in the sky.
Arthur Summons, a dual international who is depicted alongside Norm Provan on the NRL premiership trophy, died on Saturday night aged 84.
The iconic "Gladiators" image of Summons and Provan after the 1963 grand final will long live in rugby league folklore. RIP Arthur.
SUNDAY
The NRL star and a damaging video isn't a new plot line, but reports emerge about Rabbitohs pivot Cody Walker going to police about a blackmail attempt.
MONDAY
Knights five-eighth Kurt Mann says, via one of those new fandangle Zoom press conferences, "I love Sunday afternoon games, it's probably my favourite timeslot to play" and supports "the idea" of reverting back to a 3pm grand final later this year.
Meanwhile, prop-turned-politician Glenn Lazarus shows off his original "Brick With Eyes" artwork on national television as legendary commentators Roy and HG celebrate 35 years in the sporting comedy business. However, "Back Door" Benny Elias and Brent "Show Us Your Date" Tate weren't interviewed.
TUESDAY
Central Coast, Campbelltown, Bankwest, Suncorp, QCB and AAMI are announced as the six venues being used by the NRL for the next seven rounds.
But will there be any referees present?
ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys remains in negotiations with the whistle blowers' union representative to avoid any strike action.
Otherwise, the bunker could be in overdrive.
WEDNESDAY
South Sydney wish Greg Inglis "the best of luck" as he sets to come out of retirement for English Super League club Warrington in 2021 while the Warriors farewell Tamworth with a haka.
IN THE NEWS:
- Registered tax agent who stole $240,000 from Hunter company while owner battled cancer pleads guilty to more frauds
- Hunter Catholic schools will resume full time teaching on June 1
- Myer Charlestown likely to reopen by end of week
- Man charged after allegedly biting police officer at Tenambit
- Six new Lake Macquarie skate park designs open to public voting
- Morpeth bridge to close next month as part of nine-month maintenance
