Following in the belief of the Knights that the big game is even bigger if you can get the public involved - literally, by strolling on to the field with tricycles, cats or cans of beer - comes the biggest production yet. Before the kick-off against the Bulldogs, a semi-trailer will throw a sharp left off the road outside EnergyAustralia Stadium and plough on to the field through the gates at the northern end of the ground before doing a series of laps against the grandstand clock while the driver sounds the horn. At the same time, acrobats will hang from the crossbars and climb to the top of the goalposts while a father who could only afford cheap seats drags out a lounge for himself and his family to the sideline near halfway. While all that is going on, hot-dog sellers will be perched on each quarter-line so that punters who want to get closer to the pre-match action can enjoy one with sauce, mustard - or both - while they are watching. The game is expected to get under way about 11.45pm.

It'll be Anderson, right?

Canberra officials say they are still a week or two away from appointing a coach for next year, but we hear the belief among the players is that they're going to be coached by Chris Anderson.

Handbags at 20 paces

We are making - and taking, if you like - nominations for the Lover Not A Fighter Award for this season, based on the ability of NRL players to throw as many punches as they like but not be at any risk of hurting anyone. The winner could (note: we said could, not will) receive a dozen roses and a card next Valentine's Day. Our first nomination is Parramatta winger Luke "Slugger" Burt, for what can only loosely be described as an attack on Andrew Johns at EnergyAustralia Stadium last Saturday. Joey was in no danger as Burt let rip with a couple of uppercuts that arrived with less force than a knock on the door.

New kid on the block

King of the kids Benji Marshall is set to provide a youthful edge to Channel Nine's league coverage when he makes his commentary debut on the sideline with Matthew Johns at tonight's Wests Tigers-Bulldogs match. Marshall, 21, has been identified as a potentially big television talent, with executives at Nine believing he could possibly host his own children's program. The Tigers star, out injured at the moment, had already enrolled in a media studies course. Now he has accepted a cadetship-style arrangement with Nine, who plan to use him in their commentary and on The Footy Show as often as possible.

Hair today ...

Television viewers could be forgiven for thinking former playing stars and now commentators Laurie Daley and Paul Harragon are trying to outdo each other with funky 'dos. "Lozza" has gone for the shaggy look, while "Chief" seems to have adopted a variation of Daley's old hairstyle, with a flat top and bits streaming down his forehead like spilt milk down a cupboard door.

Tommy chomping at bit

Australia's most famous tomato-grower Tom Raudonikis has had a greyhound named after him by a diehard Wests fan in Queensland, but unfortunately it is gaining an unwanted reputation for biting other dogs. Not that Tommy really minds, as he occasionally chomped on an opponent himself and still thinks a bit of aggression is a good thing. The stewards disagree, however, and have already handed Mr Raudonikis - the dog - two three-month suspensions.

Take a tip

One hundred and nine tipsters at footytips.com.au tipped the round last week, but the three equal leaders are NQCowboysMadBrojen, Sarah McIntosh and Keith Moody. The three tipped all seven and had a points margin of one from the selected match.

- GREG PRICHARD and BRAD WALTER