I've noticed a heap of blow out scores this season across all games - seems to be more than previous years and they seem to have started earlier. Are others seeing this or is it just me? What could possibly be causing it? Is it the introduction of the 6 again rule?
I will tell you why it is
They have reduced allowing the Melbourne wrestle (mostly) to speed up the game..that is a good thing
Clubs do the hold up tackle and a 3rd-4th man in before a held call to slow the play the ball down to compensate...but leaves them short in the line if a quick play the ball
The real issues are
1. the refs allowing incorrect fast play the balls and includes the subtle moving off the mark or to the side. The refs call it back 1 in 50
2. The 6 again gives no team a break especially when discretionary and zaps juice which might get defended but hurts teams at back end of halves
3. The 7 tackle set is a blight
4. Poor tackle technique to combat the hold up tackle
5. Refs take too long to call held meaning numbers have to get in the tackle and cant get back in time
To solve it under current rules but wont happen and many wont like it but you would have to go back to a 5 metre ruck