The 7th Tackle - with Josh Massoud and Jim Wilson

7News Sports Presenter Jim Wilson and Chief Rugby League Reporter Josh Massoud run through the burning topics from the rugby league world you may not know about.

Tackle One – Loz paints a perfect picture

There's been little cheer for Laurie Daley over the fortnight since NSW's Origin III humiliation. In fact, Daley's pain was so acute that he became a virtual recluse. The Blues coach was reluctant to show-up to League Central for work and barely returned any calls or emails.

But during his grim isolation, there was one message that lifted Daley's spirits. Painter Jan Williamson sent Daley a picture of his life-sized portrait, which was entered in this year's Archibald Prize at the NSW Art Gallery. Incredibly, Williamson is a Queenslander. Nonetheless she saw enough in Daley's character and demeanor to fly to Sydney from Coolum, on the Sunshine Coast, for a sitting earlier this year.

"I like painting people who are decent, people with no rubbish about them," she told us. "There are so many people involved in sport who fit that description. I wish we had a sporting Archibald." But let's cut to the chase, Jan, what did you think of Loz's infamous Shnoz? "Oh he has a wonderful nose, very strong. I almost wish I could have done it as a profile."

Williamson entered a portrait of Wayne Bennett in the same competition a few years ago - and had it made the exhibition floor. Alas, Daley's likeness was no so successful this year. But that doesn't mean it won't be hung - we've heard the NSWRL has emerged as a potential buyer.

Tackle Two – White Ribbons, Red Tapes

The Bulldogs have been unwittingly drawn into the Shaun Kenny-Dowall controversy. In recent weeks Canterbury was accepted into the accreditation process for White Ribbon, Australia's most strident voice against domestic violence. Should staff and officials complete a series of workshops over coming months, the Bulldogs will become the first sporting club in Australia to hold this accreditation.

The Bulldogs wanted to kick-start their campaign by acknowledging White Ribbon in next Friday night's clash against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The fixture co-incides with White Ribbon Night - an annual initiative designed to encourage families to spend the evening at home together. The Bulldogs had planned to raise awareness to those watching on television, but are now caught in the crosshairs of their opponent's difficult situation.

The stricken Kenny-Dowall - who is facing 10 charges of domestic violence - probably won't feature for the Roosters. "Our concern is more about respecting what another club is dealing with, while at the same time wanting to promote something everyone should be supporting," one Bulldogs official said. "We need to be even more mindful, because it's not our home game."

Talks between the two clubs are set to take place over the weekend about how - or even if - the initiative can go ahead under the current circumstances.

Tackle Three – Leichhardt to live on

Leichhardt Oval hosts its final game of 2015 next Friday night. It's a sure bet the lead-up will be punctuated by doom and gloom stories about the venue's future in the NRL. We can put them to bed right now. Leichhardt Oval will host Wests Tigers games not only next season, but for at least the coming three years. In short, the joint venture's board accepts now - with the team running dead last - is not the time to agitating its rusted-on fan base.

Tigers chairman Marina Go and coach Jason Taylor have also been up front about medium-term prospects, pleading with supporters to keep the faith ahead of a three-year salary cap convalescence. With limited buying power during that period, the odds aren't great that Wests will experience much success any time soon. Abandoning spiritual homes would only cause more upheaval and heartache, not to mention the erosion of home ground advantage.

Fears were raised about Leichhardt's future when Balmain was forced to hand back the lease to the local council, which now negotiates directly with the NRL club. No tenancy deal for 2016 has been struck, but we've been assured Leichhardt - and Campbelltown - are still entrenched as future venues. Both grounds currently host four games a season. It won't be reduced to anything less than three.

Tackle Four – DCE calls for Lui

For all the wheeling and dealing at Brookvale, Manly's No.6 jersey still remains vacant for next season. So who does Daly Cherry-Evans want to partner him at the scrumbase? After the club this week lost-out to Gold Coast in the race for Broncos young gun Ashley Taylor, a left-field candidate has emerged.

We have it on top authority that DCE is a big fan of Cowboys playmaker Robert Lui. With Lui stranded in Queensland Cup for much of this season, it appears certain his four-year stint in Townsville is coming to a close. And thanks to his criminal record, the UK Super League is not an option. That leaves Manly as the obvious destination, with most clubs now settled on their halves combinations for 2016.

We've been told the respective management teams for each player have also spoken about Lui lining-up in maroon and white, outside DCE. The stigma of Lui's domestic violence conviction will never be erased, making him a contentious signing for any club. But the facts are the NRL has permitted him to play for the past two seasons, after being forced to sit-out 2012.

Meanwhile Matt Ballin's management has told Manly the hooker won't be going anywhere, despite attempts to ship him off to England just months after signing a two-year extension. Ballin has told friends he's willing to play NSW Cup on full pay, if that's what's required to see-out his contract.

Tackle Five – Tupou's jaw-dropping return

Anthony Tupou has been named on an extended bench to make his long-awaited return from a broken jaw against the Bulldogs on Sunday. However, word from the Sharks suggests he will need another week to regain fitness after a two-month exile from the training paddock. That will pit Tupou's comeback against the same opponent that inflicted the horrendous injury way back in Round Nine - New Zealand Warriors

Centre Konrad Hurrell was suspended for the lifted knee that destroyed Tupou's jaw - and subsequently made straws and food processors an indispensable part of his diet. Hurrell has been in and out of the Warriors side ever since, so there's no assurance whether the pair will come face to face.

Unsigned for 2017, Tupou is desperate to get back and showcase his wares over the closing months of the winter. His jaw was cleared for action around three weeks ago, but because he was prevented from doing any running, Sharks training staff have needed the past month to bring his fitness levels up to speed.

Tackle Six – Solo Mission

Remember Solomon Haumono - the former Bulldogs and Sea Eagles enforcer that no-one wanted to fight? It's been almost two years since the retired front rower stepped into the ring, apparently hanging-up the gloves with an impressive 21-2-2 (19 KO) heavyweight record. But tonight Haumono's boxing career will be resurrected - in the unlikely locale of Orange, on the frozen NSW central tablelands.

With just six weeks worth of training under his belt, Haumono will climb back through the rings against modestly-credentialed Kiwi, Filipo Fonoti. The 39-year-old is hoping for a display to entice a next-up bout against Australia's heavyweight champ and undefeated World No. 3 Lucas Brown. Undefeated Kiwi Joseph Parker is also on Haumono's hitlist.

Tackle Seven – Panthers paw-se over Barrett's deflection

Penrith players have revealed the mid-season departure of assistant coach Trent Barrett took its toll on the team - particularly in attack. Working under head coach Ivan Cleary, Barrett was entirely responsible for orchestrating the team's offense.

Five eighth Jamie Soward said several changes were made over the off-season, which have since been peeled back since Barrett was shown the door two months ago. "We sort of had to change our attack again and go back to last year," Soward said. "We worked on a few different things during the off-season, but now it's a bit simpler."

After discovering his assistant was deep in negotiations to join Manly next year, Cleary told Barrett he was no longer fit to continue. Barrett has since poached Lewis Brown and Api Koroisau from the Panthers.