As always, the start of the NRL season has been filled with an endless amount of reactions and opinions.
Comments such as "This coach needs to be sacked", "The new rules have ruined the game", and "The Brisbane Broncos are broken" have all been circling.
Some reactions hold merit, whilst others are simply overreaching.
Here's a look at six of the claims that have fuelled the start of the season and whether the fanfare—or panic—is warranted.
5. The rule changes are ruining the game
Somewhat, yes.
The NRL has introduced a slew of rule changes aimed at speeding up the game, but inconsistencies in officiating and the calls, such as the disruptor rule, have frustrated teams and fans alike.
Cohesion suffers when officials dictate outcomes instead of players, and fatigue combined with injuries complicates things further.
Some fans argue the game is being ruined by constant tinkering.
The rules wouldn't be an issue if they weren't so subject to opinion. The NRL are currently not helping itself or its officials by having such a grey area on what is right and what is wrong.
Although experimentation is necessary to evolve the game, they need it to be consistent to truly understand if it works.
Overall, the NRL just needs to balance clarity with innovation so teams can play, fans can enjoy, and the game doesn't devolve into referee roulette.
We shouldn't rush to make the game faster or more appealing for international markets. This takes time, and if they keep pushing too quickly, they risk coming across as money-hungry businessmen rather than leaders and advocates of a widely loved sport.
Smaller and more thought-out steps are needed in order to retain support from fans and clubs in general.
