Downtown kicks

[Hound Dog]

I tried searching but haven't checked the rulebook yet, is the kicker still allowed to make the offside players onside if the kicker chases their kick (this is still in place with union)?
I think a rule was changed last couple years in that the offside/blockers remain offside until the next tackle/ play-the-ball. Can someone provide the info, what happens when a kick is made, can kicker still make players onside, do blockers remain offside?

Asking as I've been watching tonnes of replays and looking at stats, simple pressure and/or charge downs seem effective and less energy sapping, too many penalties from tackling kickers(late or high), Gold coast still managed 40/20 against us even though kicker was tackled, so a simple hands in air or Steve Price dive seems more effective and less risky of penalty. Kikau scored a try this method, meanwhile Panthers and Parra had high average charge downs(not including attempted charge downs with just hands in the air).

We need to find ways to be more effective and less penalised. Stats may show otherwise but in crucial moments we were ill disciplined or made silly errors (can be a fitness issue and/or is common with recently promoted players but I wouldn't know how fit our team overall is, interchange count probably helps but they don't give that average stat over the course of season on NRL website, I'd have to check per game and cbf'd).

Can kickers make blockers onside by chasing their own kick?

 

[Hound Dog]

I couldn't find anything in the last few years of NRL rule changes and not sure if I'm looking at the right section.

It seems the kicker can't put teammates onside and therefore it's mostly useless tackling the endtoend or downtown kicker (whatever you want to call it). Tackler risks getting penalised for late, high, etc, although it stops the kicker himself, a decent half or five eighth can work around it, or either still get a kick out (like the Gold coast 40/20 against Bulldogs mentioned earlier) or milk a penalty.

 

[Hound Dog]

This brings another point from the kicking sides perspective, the old school " blockers ". We learnt it from juniors but every team is going to implement what Penrith do, protecting the kicker from the markers, you see this a lot with Isaah Yeo (I thought he was more important to their team then Nathan Cleary himself).
Think NRL is going to do something about this "escort from a distance" but for now Penrith Panthers heavily used this tactic of blockers, many times Nathan Cleary doesn't get a hand on him compared to other downtown kickers and it's not only because of variables like "he was in a good deep position".

 

[gbrussell]

When I was reffing from 1970 to 1992, a kicker could put offside players onside if he runs past them before they go inside what was then 5 metres of the kick receiver before making a tackle.

I am not sure if that is still the case. These days kickers are taken out marginally late which prevents a kicker from putting his players on side.

What is important is when a player in front of the kicker is also beyond the point of the play the ball he is out of play until the next tackle has Been effected.

 

[Hound Dog]

Good point, very interesting, thanks. I think the last part you mention is in the screenshot, thanks for making it easier to understand.

When I was reffing from 1970 to 1992, a kicker could put offside players onside if he runs past them before they go inside what was then 5 metres of the kick receiver before making a tackle.

I am not sure if that is still the case. These days kickers are taken out marginally late which prevents a kicker from putting his players on side.

What is important is when a player in front of the kicker is also beyond the point of the play the ball he is out of play until the next tackle has Been effected.

 

[Moedogg]

Didn't something like this occur in origin last year?

 

[gbrussell]

Johnathan Thurston had a try taken off him in a test match in England about 7 or 8 years ago. He was in front of the play the ball but a player who was onside after a short kick, picked up the ball and passed it to JT who scored. Ashley Klien sent it to the video ref and it was correctly disallowed.

 

[CMP]

This happened last year

NRL news, Annesley 'not surprised' players and coaches unaware of downtown rule

amp.nine.com.au

 

[Alan79]

The sad thing is that the rules have been altered often enough that dedicated fans can be confused about it. I could accept the changes if they're for player welfare. Things like spear tackles etc being ruled out. But I see many changes that seem like they just introduce grey areas so refs can interpret things as they want to manipulate the outcome.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Thought this was a sneaker thread

 

[Marki]

Didn't something like this occur in origin last year?

Yes i believe so and NSW scored off it from the fumble if i remember correctly.

I think its a fair rule TBH, just difficult to police unless bunker has full authority on it.

One rule i would like changed or modified is the escort rule. Players cant disappear, so unless they are changing direction (change being the operative word) they should not be penalised for running a block play for their winger or fullback to catch a bomb.

It should be incumbent on the attacking player to find a clear run to challenge the ball.

8 times out of 10, then ball should be with the defending team - not other way around.

If the centre runs towards his fullback but stops short to protect him, he shouldnt be penalised whether he goes for the ball or not.

Dont like it? Dont kick it

 

[capt obvious]

Wasnt that the nightclub at parra?

 

[harks76]

Kicks geez used to go there on a Thursday night for $1 drinks then up for work on Friday keeping in mind we were coming from Revesby

 

[Hound Dog]

The sad thing is that the rules have been altered often enough that dedicated fans can be confused about it. I could accept the changes if they're for player welfare. Things like spear tackles etc being ruled out. But I see many changes that seem like they just introduce grey areas so refs can interpret things as they want to manipulate the outcome.

Yeah, a sport shouldn't be too technical and confusing for us viewers. And it's too easy for referees to manipulate games now.

Refs should be more accountable, maybe have them do a short post match interview, answer some questions on events or just give their thoughts on the game. That way they'd feel the heat more and seem more human to us and players. Coaches shouldn't have to talk or stress about the referee post match. Better than only solely meeting referee boss after weekend. Then referee boss communicating a bland message without even a "sorry, my bad".
I think they should be more human, allow plays to go on for 50/50s or just get them to replay the play the ball and call them back, if it's a clear as day infringement then blow it, or just give a warning like Bill Harrigan used to. Winfield cup games had more scrappiness but geez they're easier to watch, refereeing was more forgiving. The ruck had more going on, like the perfect form of Rugby football. Too many small calls blown in a few minutes wrecks the momentum of the game, I'm saying this for neutral games not only for Doggies games.

 

[Hound Dog]

The sad thing is that the rules have been altered often enough that dedicated fans can be confused about it. I could accept the changes if they're for player welfare. Things like spear tackles etc being ruled out. But I see many changes that seem like they just introduce grey areas so refs can interpret things as they want to manipulate the outcome.

This opens a path for corruptness too, refs can be paid out to blow a couple useless six agains and NRL should be scared of this thought.

It's all for the sake of speeding up the game when it was already fine before, even when Melbourne dominated with a wrestle in rucks. It's ok, gives time for attacking team to organise plays, plenty of tries were still being scored.
There's a reason why fast paced touch footy isn't primetime tv and why some slower sports like yawnion and NFL are so popular with their organised and tactical plays. NRL had a great balance before but now getting ridiculous with rule changes and soft penalties, six agains.

 

[Diatribe 2000]

Kicks geez used to go there on a Thursday night for $1 drinks then up for work on Friday keeping in mind we were coming from Revesby

Say what Brother Brother Brother Sister

 

[Burt Matton]

Thought this was a sneaker thread

Me too.

 

[harks76]

Say what Brother Brother Brother Sister

Ol mate above me mentioned Kicks, Twas a nightclub at Parra Leagues and used to get smashed there on a Thursday night, Drinks were $1

 

[Diatribe 2000]

Ol mate above me mentioned Kicks, Twas a nightclub at Parra Leagues and used to get smashed there on a Thursday night, Drinks were $1

Yeah I know
I was quoting the radio ad from the time
‘Say what Brother Brother Brother Sister… kick on at Kicks!’

 

[TwinTurbo]

Ol mate above me mentioned Kicks, Twas a nightclub at Parra Leagues and used to get smashed there on a Thursday night, Drinks were $1

Fark me, I hope you had your penicillin shots before/after you went there.


Always a Bulldog