Magic Round has kicked off with an edict from the governing body to crack down on repeat offences and protecting player welfare.
After two matches we have seen;
- Eight players sin binned
- Six for professional fouls (four of which were in the final minutes)
- Two for attacking the head of a player.
In the Manly v Brisbane game, the Broncos were reduced to 11 men for a high shot and a headbutt. Manly ran in 18 points during this period. Six tackles were also placed on report.
When asked, all Fox Sports commentators avoided questions regarding whether this was a good thing or not.
Mick Ennis stated “This is not the game I played”, “I understand their reasoning, but…”.
Everything before the word “but” is meaningless.
Gordon Tallis also stated the crackdown is ruining Magic Round.
They are both missing the point.
Take away the professional fouls, the main crackdown is to protect the players from concussion.
And the players are the ones to blame for this. The lack of duty of care shown by some, has seen opponents wiped from their match and following weeks. We have already seen the Raiders and Sharks with empty benches this season.
Last week was the catalyst.
The shoulder charge to James Tedessco’s head was late, and at best, very careless. Shoulder charges have been banned for years and are automatic suspensions.
Teddy was just back from being concussed in the ANZAC Day match against the Dragons. Both players should have been sent off, not sin binned. The referees failing to take appropriate action is the reason NRL boss Peter V’landys has made this stand.
Suspensions have effectively ended punching and the shoulder charge even though there was a backlash from some who felt the game was going soft.
The crackdown on high shots needs to be enforced to support the recent concussion rules otherwise we will see the best players in the world wiped from the game.
As for the players deliberately slowing the play, especially the four last minute sin-bins, fine them. That will stop them.
For more on Peter V’landys’ crackdown, please read the following article from our friends @ nrl.com.au
NRL 2021, Why we need to stop making excuses for high tackles – NRL
