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Peter V’landys delivers blunt message to concerned clubs amid increased ‘six-again’ calls
Players and coaches have bemoaned an increase in ‘six-again’ set restarts in 2026 – and the proof is in the numbers. It’s prompted Peter V’landys to deliver a simple message to clubs.
3 min read
March 16, 2026 - 4:00PM
News Sport Network
NRL: North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten spoke to the media after the Cowboys round 2 loss to the Wests Tigers.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has urged clubs to take more responsibility for their discipline amid revelations of a six-again scourge though the opening two rounds of the premiership.
This masthead can reveal that set restarts have nearly doubled in the opening two rounds this season in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
Referees have awarded 78 per cent more ‘six-agains’ (9.8 per game) this year than at the same time last season (5.5 per game) – an increase from 88 infringements last year to 157.
Last year’s end-of-season set restart average was 5.88 per game – showing a 67 per cent increase year-on-year.
V’landys insisted that the onus lay fell squarely on coaches and players to take care of their discipline after concerns were raised in the off-season over a return other of the wrestle.
“It’s a lack of discipline,” V’landys said.
A common sight this season. Picture: NRL Photos
“It is the coaches way of trying to slow the ruck down. No-one wants it to go back to the bad old days of the wrestle and that was unfortunately what was going to happen if we didn’t change it.”
V’landys was armed with statistics that showed the play the ball had been materially slowed down last season between the 40-metre lines.
It is understood senior referees had conceded they were more reluctant to blow penalties in that area of the field. As a result, the rules to allow referees to award six-agains in that area of the field.
V’landys message was simple.
“Be disciplined and do the right thing,” he said.
Peter V'landys wants clubs to take more responsibility for their discipline. Picture: Ryan Osland
Statistics provided by Fox Sports Lab show total infringements (penalties and set restarts) have increased 20 per cent from 16.65 per game at the end of 2025 to nearly 20 (19.94) per match this season. Penalties have remained relatively steady at 10.8 per game last year to 10 this season.
The material increase in infringements has become a hot topic following the opening two rounds of the premiership, with numerous coaches and players voicing concerns.
The winless Titans were on the wrong end of an 8-4 set restart count as they struggled to contain the fast finishing Dolphins in Sunday night’s 18-14 loss to Redcliffe.
Four of those ‘six-agains’ came in a 14-minute blitz midway through the second half which helped the Dolphins gain momentum to overcome a 14-0 deficit.
There is no suggestion the set restarts weren’t warranted, but the increase has coaches concerned.
“(The referees are) officiating the game the way they (NRL) want it officiated,” Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay said.
The Titans were on the wrong end of the set restart count against the Dolphins. Picture: NRL
“They’re all doing their job. We’ve got to play by the rules like everyone else.
“You adjust to how the game is being officiated and then it changes again and they’ll crack down on something else.
“You’ve constantly got to roll with punches with the game, where it’s at and how it’s trending. Those who adapt the quickest win.”
The struggling Cowboys conceded three set restarts in the opening three minutes of their 44-16 loss to Wests Tigers on Sunday.
North Queensland co-captain Tom Dearden said the players were confused.
“The most frustrating bit is when it happens you don’t know what it’s for,” he said.
The Cowboys suffered an early sin bin against the Tigers with Kai O'Donnell sent. Picture: NRL Photos
“To start the game we had three (set restarts) back-to-back but we had no idea what for. It’s not like they’re calling six-again and telling us what it’s for. We just see the arm go up.
“Our job is to keep turning up but to start the game we had no clue what the six-agains were for. We made 12 or 14 tackles and had no idea what we were doing wrong.
“Once we got a break in play I spoke to the ref and he said it was a mix of everything. We were getting a lot wrong at the ruck and then inside the 10m.
“Our job is to clean that up, but in play it’s frustrating to not know what they’re for and how to fix it up.”
The Cowboys were their own worst enemy at Leichhardt Oval but coach Todd Payten called for referees to reconsider how often they awarded set restarts.
“It’s bringing fatigue into the game and the game’s fast enough,” he said.
“They’re more willing to blow those ruck infringements. I’d prefer if it’s not a full-blown penalty then don’t give the ruck infringement.
“But we’ve opened it up, this is the game and we’ve got to move forward and find a way to handle ourselves better.”
