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2026 NRL Discussion Thread

GC Giant said:
I agree the six again has probably gone too far, but I wouldn’t go back to the old system either.

The main reason it came in was to stop the wrestle and continuous offsides, where giving away a penalty actually benefited the defensive team by slowing everything down.

The Captain’s Challenge is also a recognition that referees will make mistakes. Get rid of it and we risk going back to the bunker checking every possible incident, which became monotonous and slowed the game down.
At least now the teams have some control over when something gets reviewed.

I’m not sure what the perfect solution is, but I think it’s more about refining what we have rather than going back to what wasn’t working before

As for PVL, I think overall he has been great for the game.
What I don’t like is the Executive Chairman model. I think the game is better served by having a strong minded CEO with genuine authority who can challenge and counterbalance PVL when needed.

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I come bearing suggestions but agree there's no perfect solutions.

Replace 6agains with penalties and a genuine quick tap (that worked well before the refs got away with taking too long to point to the spot). The team sinned against can decide the pace of their revenge. The whistle will correct errant behaviour. Players and coaches will get the message and reform.

For the wrestle, refs could have a tackle clock that they would have to have a good reason to overule (publicly). Remove their need to yell all the different types of tackle (surrender, dominant, movement, etc). It would also bring back some parity to a quality one on one legs tackle.

For the 10m, I like the idea of a swimmer's line in the bunker with an automated noise into the ref's earpiece that polices the 10m, so the ref doesn't have to yell, "Jason, Jason, Jason!" or whoever, each ptb. They'd still have to police markers though. The ref will still have to make the 10m and the line will be adjusted to where he/she is but it'll pick up players missed and the screens can be revealed post match to clear up any disputes. Completely automated software that's been available for years. No human error. The fans only have to see it if they demand it post match.

The bunker would only interfere in real time, meaning no slowing the game down or having people wait too long, so no captain's challenges. I don't really believe the fans overall like them. The ref makes a definitive call on a try and the bunker has up until the conversion or next play to overule. Same with contested strips, knock ons and yes if we're having a bunker they have to look at everything including forward passes. BUT they can't slow the game down. They'll be as eagle eyed as we are when we watch a game in real time and spot errors and tip the ref off. The only alternative is to scrap the bunker altogether, which I am actually coming around to.

Whatever we have, the thing we want most is accountability from the refs and game. I want any disputed calls reviewed in public by the game, public tallies kept on erring officials and categories of errors and commitments to improve the officiating. Annesley gives us none of this. The commentators and clubs can have their own free to air or online show that looks over the decisions publicly and can assist with methods to improve officiating (potentially a PR disaster but what is Annesley?).

Can't agree on PVL but respect your opinion and it makes me question myself more, which is always a good thing. I'm very questionable at best.
 
DIEHARD said:
Well to be honest, the game you grew up would probably give me nightmares! :D
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I loved that game DH. I encourage everyone to watch some old 5m rule games and enjoy the softening up periods in particular. I understand we can't go back to that but you have to know your past to secure your future.
 
Thanks for sharing GCG. Steve “I’m always right and never wrong” Mitchell pulling his pud.

The big takeaway for me was the “chalk and cheese” comment about how humble the girls are compared to the numbnutz, that’s also as obvious as dogs balls (apologies girls).

Tootsie should be down teaching any of our man-children who wants to listen how to goal kick.
 
This Broncos drama is so compelling. And the irony of the latest episode of Walsh liking an anti Maguire video/post.
 
My GF interpretations:

1. Most hated: Roosters v Souths (bowl of hot vomit)
2. Most wanted: Wahs v Cows (Asti Spumante and orange juice)
3. Most boring: Panthers v Roosters (luke warm hash browns and reheated coffee)
4. Most likely: Panthers v Wahs (4X Gold)
5. Most unlikely: Phins v Newie (Tequila shots)
6. Most meh: Sharks v anyone (tonic water)
 
for me some combination of Wahs / Cowboys / Dolphins.

It’d definitely sting to see em win a Premiership before us after only 4 seasons.

Please no Panthers. Or Roosters. Or Sharks.
 
Here's something for the nerds among us. There's a lot to digest.

www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com

The Eye Test’s 2026 NRL season advanced statistic leaders - The Rugby League Eye Test

The 2026 season is over for ten of the NRL’s seventeen teams. That would be the bottom nine sides plus the perpetually unserious Cowboys who appear to have packed it in about a month ago. It also means we can now look at the best (and worst) players by the suite of advanced stats I track here at...
www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com
 
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