Kickers have been protected to much this year...agreed?

[→ Mitch ←]

I have watched 4 games this round and i'm pretty sure in each game there was at least one penalty for the kicker being taken out "late".

Some of these calls have been ridiculous, the defender has the goal of putting pressure on the kicker and ultimately trying to tackle him, with the momentum they have running at the kicker there is no way humanly possible for the defender to pull out in the split seconds after the ball has been kicked. And what makes it look worse is the kicker is unbalanced when he is kicking it because he is on one foot....so if you just touch them they are more then likely to hit the deck.
Fair enough if it's a late dog shot on the kicker award the penalty but be realistic about it. A penalty can so easily change the momentum of the game and they shouldn't be given out willy nilly like they have been in the first 2 rounds so far.

Have you noticed the refs being to protective to the kickers?

 

[Dave G]

Yup, there was one in the Bunnies v Eels game, I think it was Isaac Luke on Brett Finch.... that was a joke..!! no way was that a late hit.... we've seen far worse than that in the past go un-penalised.

 

[Punchy]

Yep can't agree with you any more the game has changed as we know it.
This two referee's business is ruining the game there are twice as many penalties.

 

[Joshua]

Agreed, if they keep this up all kickers will be untouched. As it seems now, if you go to tackle the kicker you must hit him before he's kicked the ball. A millisecond late and its a penalty.

Its probably best for teams atm not to rush the kicker and just give up the territory rather than risk the easy penalty and give up territory and possession.

 

[♥ Jojo]

I Agree, But not only ro kickers.
The new two ref system is failing fast. On the Rabbits v Eels Nathan Merritt attempted to stop a try by sliding in with his feet (Billy Slater move) but Eels still scored. Should have been 8 point try but nooo refs are being stupid. Late shots on kickers should be penalised but just running intot hem after theyve kicked shouldnt its not bloody fair.