It's almost impossible to be sent off in 2016

The fact that Martin Taupau was allowed to stay on the field for the full 80 minutes last night proves once again how difficult it is to be sent off in modern day football.

For those who missed it, Taupau levelled Jack Bird with a swinging arm that levelled the Shark centre, concussing him which led to an early shower.

https://vine.co/v/id2D6b5LBid

Taupau, who had more than enough time to pull out of the shot following Bird’s losing of the football, certainly did not miss, and will now likely service up to a month on the sidelines.

The incident once again highlighted a huge flaw in the NRL’s current set up, where due to foul play, the Sharks were robbed of an attacking player, while any punishment handed down to Taupau will see other sides advantaged.

I have written numerous times about how stupid the current sin-bin set up is, yet referees only turn to the disciplinary tool if spoken to incorrectly or after a player holds an attacker down following a break.

If in England, Taupau was going to at least the sin-bin, and although Bird would still not be able to come back on, at least the Sharks would have earned some advantage.

After re-watching the incident, I have no idea how referee Ben Cummins didn’t march the Sea Eagle enforcer.

Bird, after losing the ball, had enough time to turn and look around for it, before being decked by a swinging arm.

For those Manly fans who want to suggest that he was committed and could not pull out of the tackle, the footage CLEARLY shows Dylan Walker pulling up well before Taupau brought his arm back to collect Bird.

For those who claim Bird was falling, it is the responsibility of the defender to not make contact with the head. The fact he was using a swinging arm just adds to the disbelief he was not sent off.

There were the odd few on social media who disagreed, but the overwhelming consensus was that it was a textbook sinbinning at very least.

To think that you can get ten minutes in the bin for shaping up to and throwing a punch at a ready and willing opponent, yet escape such penalty after blindsiding a helpless player with a swinging arm.

If that shot is not worth ten in the min, scrap the sin bin altogether.

Young talent at an all-time high

It seems that every week or so a new star is born. This week is was Te Maire Martin for the Panthers who starred in his side’s win over the Broncos, in his debut at NRL level.

Cory Denniss, also on his NRL debut, scored a double for the Knights in their draw with the Raiders.

Last week we had Kerrod Holland kick a goal after the siren to secure two points for the Bulldogs on debut.

Simply put I cannot remember a time when so many young players were making such an impact so soon.

There is genuine talk that the NRL is looking to scrap the NYC (under 20’s) competition from the end of this season.

Although I fully understand the reasoning, it would be a real shame to see the competition fall away after producing such wonderful talent for the top grade.

Of course star players will still find their way into first grade eventually but without a genuine competition at that level, it may slow player progress and see others head for other codes in search of opportunities.

I like that the NRL has upped the age required to make a debut after some players in the past have been thrown to the wolves before they were ready, and I also love the fact that players must be either working or studying fulltime to be eligible for the Holden Cup.

Unfortunately the stats indicate that the majority of players won’t play first grade, but plenty are, and I don’t think the player talent pool has ever been deeper.

If the competition is scrapped, I hope there is a plan B to ensure the flow of young talent doesn’t stop.