Whats Going On With The Poor Play The Ball Standards This year?

Game after game i watch this year the quality and standard of the play the ball has been without a doubt the worst ive ever seen it, and its not being policed at all by the refs.

The play the ball rules state the player must have control of the ball, place it on the ground and hook it/propel it backwards with the foot.

Thats not happening and a huge amount of cases, the balls being propelled backwards with the hand only and theres no effort to even make contact with the ball on the foot, and come finals time you can bet somebody will be pinged for it in a big game.

We are bad culprits too, its not just other clubs, Semi is shocking with incorrect play the balls, often there is zero attempts to play the ball with the foot and more often than not theres no contact with the foot on the ball.

Im not asking for perfection, sometimes it just happens in the rush of the game but either they change the rule that the ball must be raked back with the foot or they police it.

Has anybody ever seen worse play the ball standards than this year?

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Replies

Dave July 1, 2017 at 1:55am

The play the ball has been bad for at least 15 years so it is hard to say if it is any worse than before.
Kramerica July 1, 2017 at 2:01am

You have written ball or balls no less than ten times in this relatively short blog.

I know you're a massive fan of balls, but that's ridiculous.

I can't remember the ruck being worse than it is now, it's not just the foot missing the footy, they use it to get off the deck then push it backwards, there are constantly hands in the ruck and on the player, they constantly move off the mark, and blokes wallow around in the ruck without penalty. I 'spose it's a by- product of having what I reckon is the worst bunch of referees ever going around at the moment .

*note: I didn't use the word ball (or balls) once in my reply :)
Mudskip July 1, 2017 at 3:27am

I reckon the reffs have been given the green light to turn a blind eye to help speed up the game, but then they go and give penalty for someone scratching their ring
The Ape July 1, 2017 at 8:58am

A couple of years ago they wanted perfection and now it's gone the other way. It's tunnel ball. Players aren't even getting to their feet anymore.
parra supporter July 1, 2017 at 9:46am

Kassiano and Fifita are the worst in the game. It's the simplest part of the game and needs to be enforced
Kenny Power July 1, 2017 at 1:04pm

Blame the NRL for pandering to media and outcry. A few years back the refs tried cracking down . Media shitstorm due to penalties and this is the result.

NRL JUST NEEDS balls to say to telegraph get f**d and run it how they see fit
Hugo July 1, 2017 at 5:35pm

It's a problem but considering the absolute mountain of problems facing the referees this year - it's no 452.
I've never seen the standard of referee so poor. If Peranara can get a game as one of our top referees - anyone can.

Chicken Legs Chechin is miles in front of anyone else. Our only problem is that we never seem to land him to look after us.
- ┌∩┐Parody┌∩┐ > Hugo July 1, 2017 at 9:11pm
  
  Actually Fathead since it is very first action of a live play, i would considered it problem number 1.
  
  Markers in the correct position would be problem number 2
  
  and defensive team onside and not leaving early would be problem 3.
2agd8rk0gah1u July 1, 2017 at 9:16pm

Probably need to bring back the old leather balls as they won't be able to play them that quickly they're too heavy especially when wet.