Playmakers are now a protected species. It’s making rugby league boring

But without kick pressure, his kick went 65 metres on the fly and the Maroons’ advantage was gone.

The flow-on effect: NRL between two 20-metre zones

When a strong defensive set is properly rewarded, and a kicker is placed under fair, but still safe, kick pressure, you see a team kicking from inside their own 40.

The opposition fullback might bring the ball back to their own 40-metre line, and that’s when the game of chess starts – by the end of this set, the defensive side can go on the attack. As they should because they’ve worked hard in defence.

But with playmakers protected far too much and no kick pressure on them, we get a game played between the two 20-metre lines. And it’s a conservative game – three dummy-half runs, a hit-up and then a long kick. You can copy and paste this for five or six minutes. In last year’s grand final between the very well-drilled Storm and Penrith sides, the arm wrestle went for nine minutes.

It makes for boring, predictable rugby league. Bring kick chasers back into the game. But, of course, don’t let them hit late. And don’t let them hit anyone in the legs. But at least allow contact above the waist, to give a bit of leeway back to the defence. And maybe we’ll end up with more attacking footy, and less dummy-half running and wrestling.

If you put playmakers under pressure, the best will rise

When a playmaker goes to the defensive line now as well, there’s just no fear of getting whacked by a defender. Again, we’re taking the contest away.

The best playmakers will always be willing to wear a shot and cop some bruises by putting their body on the line to free up their inside and outside runners. This is how the game should be played.

An average halfback won’t dig into the line for fear of getting hit; they’ll run sideways. But you can’t blame defenders for being gun-shy given some of the penalties we see.

Isaiya Katoa is one of my favourite young halves and digs into the line as much as anyone I’ve seen in years. But even he is helped by rules that hold defenders back. Three weeks ago, against South Sydney, Sean Keppie was in a position to tackle Katoa as he went to line.

But you can actually see Keppie pull out of the tackle and shove him instead, because he’s worried about hitting him and drawing a penalty.

Halves are now playing into their mid-to-late 30s because in the modern game, they’re a protected species.

Harry Grant’s penalty for challenging Luke Brooks last Saturday night – and it was a penalty by the laws of the game – was so soft his contact didn’t draw a reaction from the referees, touch judges, Manly players or even Brooks.

But the Bunker has a look, and ultimately, that call cost Melbourne the game. I’d hate to see an Origin or a grand final decided on that type of penalty.

Why the Roosters’ grand final has arrived already

The Roosters and Storm meet on Thursday night – two big, successful clubs, coming off disappointing losses.

Cameron Munster’s withdrawal is huge for Melbourne because he provides the ad-lib, unstructured elements of an attack that you can’t prepare a defence for. On top of that, not having Ryan Papenhuyzen once again means the Storm are without half of their first-choice spine.

Without a doubt, for mine, Melbourne will finish in the top four, while the Roosters are at the back of that four-team log jam fighting for seventh and eighth spot. I think the Sharks play finals this year, which leaves the Dolphins, Sea Eagles and Roosters fighting for the last finals place.

The real fun starts now for the Roosters and Trent Robinson.Credit: Getty Images

This week against Melbourne is the Tricolours’ grand final already, and it’s still July. Lose this game, and I don’t see them playing semi-finals this year. They’ve got tough games on paper, and their for-and-against is the worst of those four sides, so they’re effectively two wins shy of the top eight.

Sandon Smith returns at five-eighth, and I was surprised he missed out to Chad Townsend last week. I’ve got big raps on Sandon – he shot the lights out on Anzac Day against the Dragons – and his running game will complement Sam Walker up against Tyran Wishart.

With Munster out, the playmaking and game management responsibility lands with Jahrome Hughes. Wishart’s big play is his dummy, run and then right-foot step. But the rest falls to Hughes, and I think the Roosters will target him as a result.

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The five-star forward battles

I’m keen to see the two young front-rowers Naufahu Whyte and Stefano Utoikamanu go at it in the middle. I’m expecting this to be a personal battle.

Whyte has established himself as a world-class prop this season, while Utoikamanu is still growing into his role at Melbourne. Out a bit wider, Eliesa Katoa is in incredible form and standing opposite Angus Crichton.

Katoa is at his most dangerous when he’s chasing kickers and getting the jump on opposition fullbacks, which puts James Tedesco under the microscope. As for Crichton, he’s just all power when he’s running with his bump and fend, these two trading shots will be a highlight.

Melbourne have been really inconsistent this season, and Craig Bellamy is looking frustrated. But they’re still my premiership favourites if their big names are fully fit, because no-one else can match Papenhuyzen, Munster, Hughes and Harry Grant as a spine on the biggest stage.

With two of those names missing, and the Roosters season effectively on the line, I’m tipping an upset at Allianz Stadium.

Joey’s tip: Roosters by 4
First try-scorer: Daniel Tupou
Man of the match: Sam Walker

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