Watching NRL Round 4 and seeing the associated commentary surrounding the blowout results brought a classic phrase to mind.
‘Don’t like it? Play better’ is an old saying borne from minor league baseball, and the tough row to hoe all the way to the Major Leagues. In the minor leagues, it’s a relentless grind where nothing is given to you, you can be cut on any given day and the only way to improve your situation is to play well enough to move through the levels to your end goal of a spot in the big show.
It also applies to more than a few NRL teams after one month of season 2021.
The commentary so far is that the season will likely be a bust, with massive scores being regularly run up against teams who can’t get out of their own way. This weekend saw some pretty brutal executions. But which one was a genuine surprise?
Canterbury are in an apparent rebuild with a new head coach. They were never going to put up much resistance against probably South Sydney’s strongest team since the 2014 premiership.
The Cowboys are in a bad spot, with new head coach Todd Payten trying to ingrain his game structures and philosophy into a place full of players more comfortable with the previous arrangements under Paul Green. Payten has his work cut out to make his mark.
Hopefully the North Queensland administrators have the courage to stick with him and give their best to help him succeed.
Todd Payten. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Manly’s last five seasons has seen them finish 13th, sixth, 15th, 6th and 13th. Their best players are injured. Their first month pitted them against three of 2020s top five finishers.
How were they ever going to challenge a Penrith side that is healthy, focused and out to right the wrongs of last season?
Brisbane, last year’s bottom team, going up against reigning premier Melbourne Storm, who have spent their entire NRL existence carving up sides for fun? The Broncos gave a good 25 minutes, but when the Storm’s inevitable momentum shift came it was breathtaking.
So what does this tell us? Basically, – and this will come as a surprise to absolutely no one – we’re seeing good teams doing what they’re supposed to do with poor opposition.
Before today’s Easter Monday match-up between Wests Tigers and Parramatta, we’ve had 31 games.
Of those 31 games:
- 10 have been decided by a single digit margin
- 15 have been decided by a double digit margin
- Six have been decided by a margin of 30 points or more (three of these this weekend)
- Six have been decided by a converted try or less
If you’re into a bit of a ‘deeper’ dive, here’s another feature of NRL 2021. Almost one in every three games has seen the losing team score 6 points or less (11 times). Funnily enough, every games except one (Warriors 19 d Titans 6) involved a team who finished in the top six last year.
The average winning margin for 2021 is 18.45 points, the average margin this Easter with one game left is just under 28 points and if the Tigers don’t show up against the Eels, we could well get something near that mark.
We should really be appreciating the great teams we’ve got going around at the moment. Their play is what all teams should aspire to, with drilled but flexible defences and dynamic attack that is a joy to behold when they get going.
Teams like Melbourne, Penrith and the Roosters can be fantastic to watch when they’re up and about. But it can get old when it’s happening basically unchallenged.
As the season progresses we’re a strong chance to see more blowouts as finals contenders top up their for and against instead of cruising for two competition points. With the amount of feasting that’s happening on lower sides, you’ll need those two points and a massive scoring differential to get near the double chance in 2021.
The new rules don’t give a hand up for a battler either, because they can no longer slow play down in the ruck, kick for touch and get breather, or give away penalties to reset their defence, porous as it may be. They’re under the pump from set one and just don’t have the skill or know how to stay level or take advantage.
I’ve already written this year about injuries and the impact they’re having on teams at all points of the ladder. Injuries are a part of the game that some teams can manage better than others.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
But I don’t want to see the top four or finals spots decided by who can beat up on the lower teams by the most points.
Going into a weekend knowing five or six games will go one way with the only variable being ‘how far’ doesn’t really scream out for your viewing attention.
If teams outside the top eight don’t like where they’re at, they’ve gotta play better. On and off the field. The templates are there right in front of them every week.
The club with a strong junior setup to ‘grow their own’, the club with an ironclad culture where every player knows their exact role. The club where players play for each other, expect high standards of each other and never, ever give up.
It’s possible to rebuild and make something of yourself. But the teams in the lower half better sort themselves out fast, because the competition isn’t waiting for them.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Where are you champion? Just about everyone was telling me this season would be predictably boring and I stuck my neck out and claimed it wouldn't be predictable. You have once again directed personal abuse at me and once again you are wrong. Your predictions are not correct just like your silly prediction that last season's winner would be tainted by an asterisk. My predictions about V'landys getting the season up again like the other predictions I make are before the event and not in hindsight , it's all in black and white so it's you who needs to apologize. The abusive arrogance you display in declaring that AT LEAST 7 of last years top 8 would make it again is typical of your type. Manly made the 4 and the Titans made the 8. You were wrong. It explains why you get so abusive in debates , because you are so sure you are correct before things happen that you lash out on that basis. Can't you see the problem with that immature attitude?
Short Memory
Guest
It's not just about good and bad teams. We've also always had teams that prefer an up-tempo open game and teams that prefer a grinding slug fest - and a few teams who could switch between the two. Now only one style of play is viable. The game has become less varied and as a result less interesting.
Short Memory
Guest
100%
Short Memory
Guest
The 'plodders' employed cynical tactics????? I think most observers would agree that Melbourne have long been clear leaders in this category. Roosters have been at or near top in giving away penalties too. The new rules disadvantage weaker teams and teams who lose key players to injury, because they force all teams to play the same style of football. There is no variation in pace (even Cam Smith couldn't slow the game down now) style or tactics. Once a team gets some momentum, it escalates exponentially and the other team is ridden into the ground. It's boring to watch. Speed of play is great - some of the time. But sometimes a grinding war of attrition is just as entertaining. The ideal is a mix of the two. But we no longer have that.
Balmain Tiger
Roar Rookie
VALE TOMMY. Small in statute. A giant of courage. A true-blue Fibro. The Greatest Game of All is so poorer for your passing but so richer for knowing you.
The Barry
Roar Guru
My footy tips are posted here every week so my predictions are very easy to find... if you’ve got half a brain...
Rob
Guest
I think it was driven to stop Melbourne winning. They have tried several ways over the years. Wrestling was always part of rugby league as a means of stopping an opponent. Holding players up off the ground instead of tackling them was only successful because the held call was not policed correctly. Voluntary tackles, high tackles, split markers, stripping with players dropping off are now allowed so it sort of counter acts their agenda.
Rob
Guest
They take them to the knackers. It’s a numbers game to PV.
Rob
Guest
Watch touch if that’s your fancy.
Rob
Guest
I think clubs looking to promote young talent or bring through new players to improve the roster where disadvantaged looking at players having little to no football. If you compare that to the clubs that had players going well and playing finals football that was an advantage on a short off season also.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I said it before a ball was kicked. Go to Ryan O’Connells fearless prediction article. I said at least seven of last year’s top 8 would make the 8 again this year Then you can come back and apologise for being a hypocritical f’wit You’re the king of not making predictions. You say nothing of interest and then come back months later saying “I knew it wouldn’t work out how the mob said it would” “I knew two horse was wrong” “I knew me and V’Landys would get the NRL started up again” “I knew the Roosters wouldn’t win the comp” Hypocritical f’wit...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Here we go... I’m not trying to manipulate anything. Every time you paint yourself into a corner with your third grade logic and attempts to change the subject it’s all down to the mob trying to manipulate you It’s pathetic You go wandering off on tangents that are irrelevant to what’s being discussed, usually involving how some unknown, nameless mob is picking on you Saints finished 12th on the ladder and were 10th for points differential. If you think a good win against another mid table team in the Knights who were ravaged by injuries is an indicator the Dragons have turned things around then you’re right. You are on another planet The Dragons could come out and start beating good teams but they haven’t done it yet I’ve said several times - including before the season started - that there’s a big 6 who will hardly drop a game against anyone else all season and that’s the way it’s panned out so far. They’re sitting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 and have dropped one game against another team You’re right, things can change. We’ll have to wait and see. If I’m wrong I’ll front up and admit it. If you’re wrong you’ll do what you usually do and go hiding, change your story and claim the big bad mob is manipulating you...
Rob
Guest
I agree TB. The rules were brought in to increase the enjoyment and entertainment of the fans. I wouldn't enjoy any game that one sided even if i was on the winning end. You can't tell me people that have grown up loving Rugby League are enjoying this stuff. The 6 again is gassing teams and if you are the early beneficiary you will probably be in a match winning position after 30min. Fatigue obviously leads to mistakes both defensively and in attack which then increase to become a cluster of an exhibition IMO. Further more it leads to players sustaining injuries generally to the team under the pump. What a terrible thing it is to see players hurt on a regular basis. The more skilled, fitter teams rise to the top? Really I'd suggest it's the teams that get off to a glut of possession and benefit from officials early calls. Cricket had this theory about runs being scored as the answer to get crowds through the gate? You know what they flattened the pitches and seeing 300 plus run chases were the go. Australia was laughing as they practiced against bowling machines on concrete wickets and bullied their opponents on flat tracks. Unfortunately the skills of Australian became floored because they couldn't bat on a pitch or against a ball that does a bit. Who are the most skilful and resilient? Indians, English, South African, NZ or Australian players. Is a good batsmen one that can bat for a whole day on a difficult pitch or one that hits 100 off 60 balls on a road. Similarly the NBA when Jordan in the 90's was playing and scores over 100 were rare it was and is far more entertaining than today 110-120 bore fest of today IMO. Don't tell me the players now a far better than Jordans era and the game is more entertaining. The downside to this current NRL desire to make points happen is a lack of 6 again consistency and player injury then producing an absolute boring onside contest. Skilled, resilient rugby league players are not those that are allowed to play touch football or players benefiting from a lopsided amount of possession IMO. I'm sorry I don't believe Ben Lewis that you have an actual grasp of what a good entertaining game is. Maybe i'm a dinosaur. If you want to improve the game they need to address the high contact tackle and gang tackle issues. Maybe that will lead to more off loads and lower tackles.
Rob
Guest
I noted a 6 again call on a low tackle from Jake Clifford on Dufty. The call came off a ball kicked by Clifford that Dufty cleaned up. The official’s hand signalled 6 again as Clifford was making the tackle and Dufty still hadn’t actually gone to ground? Clifford can’t be offside, he didn’t tackle him above the waist and Dufty wasn’t even on the ground before the call was made? You can’t challenge a 6 again can you? It’s was ridiculous obvious they were calling 6 again on pretty much any tackle 1 or 2 inside the 10m zone.
WHBM
Guest
You have (in a way) hit on the underlying problem here - the also-rans can't play any better because this is their level. I can only see this situation getting worse as any player worth his salt is going to lean towards the same group of dominant clubs as they seek premierships and associated glory, whilst the rest of the clubs will be stuck with the leavings. I don't know how this gets fixed be it salary cap concessions, limiting third-party payments, a draft or (given how awfully some clubs are managed) the NRL taking over clubs for their own good. If the situation doesn't improve Rugby League will go the way on union as viewers lose interest in a parade of foregone conclusions.
WHBM
Guest
"The club with a strong junior setup to ‘grow their own" - you're talking about the Roosters / Storm yeah?
WHBM
Guest
Unless the lack of interest kills the comp beforehand.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
Six again is a penalty without indication of what for. We would not have accepted referees blowing whistles in the past and not signalling the infraction so why are we being made to accept it now. I see my team get a six-again and I often have no idea why.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
They've played teams with a combined win/loss of 4-12 so far. Jury still out on them I'd reckon. Mind you, Penrith's opponents so far are a combined 2-14 so they're a little inflated perhaps.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
In 1997 they had the 4th highest home attendance in either the SuperLeague or ARL and they only won 6 games all season. That halved in 1998 when it was obvious they wouldn't make the cut for the unified NRL to come and because they were also a dreadful team - the coaching staff was sacked mid-way. Also, all other Adelaide pro-sports teams won their competitions in those years with the obvious city-wide interest. 4th highest attendance in the country in their first season, shows there's more than 5 people at least.