Rugby League has always been a momentum game, get on a roll and suddenly what was a reasonably tight game between two teams see's one jump ahead by 12 - 18 points.
The new 6-again rule, whilst doing a great job of discouraging the wrestle, really puts teams to the sword, especially when some of the weaker teams previously would adopt spoiling tactics to lay on the opposition, be off-side, etc to prevent tries (which at least made games feel closer). Now the opposition is allowed to keep their attack flowing, gets another 6 tackles to wear down the defenders and of course are converting it to points.
Throw in the lack of depth in the squads because anyone who isn't in the top 17 isn't getting game time and thus aren't match fit, is is resulting in more blowouts than we've seen for a number of years.
Still I would imagine even as this season continues we'll see some resetting and some of the teams who have struggled with the new rules adapt and by next year a more balanced competition.
It's not like the quality of the AFL hasn't been impacted by COVID as well, it was only a couple of weeks ago the Swans and Richmond played it out for a game with only 7 goals in it. Their ratings are being helped by having 'strong' teams like Collingwood, West Coast, Geelong and Port all doing well, versus we have all 3 Queensland teams struggling, plus other 'strong' clubs like the Bulldogs and Warriors not doing well as well.
