NRL's kick-blocker crackdown changes the game - but the question is do we want that?
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
Just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2019 NRL premiership.
Canberra hosts the South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium on the Friday night, before the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm play out a rematch of last year’s grand final at the SCG on the Saturday night.
While the Roosters-Storm preliminary final is proving impossible to split, there’s significant favouritism at the backs of the Raiders as they look to return to the grand final for the first time since 1994.
But is that justified? Are Wayne Bennett’s men more of a chance on Friday than people are giving them credit for?
We got Roar rugby league expert Mary Konstantopoulos on the Game of Codes podcast to preview both of this weekend’s finals matches and make a call on who’ll be playing in the grand final next Sunday night.
South Sydney have knocked off Canberra in two of the last three meetings between the sides – including their only clash this season.
Sydney and Melbourne will almost certainly be a gripping affair. Their last six clashes have been decided by a total of 23 points – 15 of those coming in just one game!
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
Gold Coast CEO Steve Mitchell says he has no concerns over David Fifita's future, despite the second-rower having an option to leave the battling…
He’s back. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck hadn’t been enjoying the best of nights, and neither had the rest of the Warriors, but sometimes a little adversity…
The Wests Tigers might be at the start of a new era, but there were plenty of familiar problems on display in their 32-12…
The Dally M Medal is a controversial award, as evidenced in Round 1.
Contesting the ball lies at the heart of rugby league and the new kick re-start rule.