The relaxing of the whistle has provided a more entertaining spectacle for fans and opened up a free-flowing brand of football, according to Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley handed down down an edict for his referees to keep out of the contest where possible, cleaning up the mess left by NRL boss Todd Greenberg's previous strict instructions from last season.
As a result, the penalty count has taken a significant drop as round six reaches its conclusion with 578 penalties (12.29 per game) being issued, according to NRL.com.
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In comparison, 857 penalties (17.9 per game) were dished out at the same point in 2018.
Smith, whose side is ranked 12th in penalties conceded (35), said the instructions have not only eased pressure on the referees, but helped players develop their game also.
“From a players’ point of view I think it’s fantastic. It allows for the game to flow a lot more,” Smith said
“I’m not too sure what the fans are thinking but I just think it allows the game to flow more. You see the players get to express their skills a lot more.
“Last year it became very frustrating for everyone involved in the game – players, the fans, the coaches and even for the referees with the way the game was officiated.
‘’People could probably pick out a few things that have been let go through our game this year, but I just think it allows for a better game.
“It lets the referees get a feel for the match instead of nit-picking at every small thing and it’s provided for much more entertaining games.”
After Greenberg relaxed his orders under heavy criticism in the early rounds of last year, wrestling experts like the Storm and Roosters slowly rose to the top of the ladder after a number of shock upsets.
This season tells the same story with the 2018 grand finalists a class above the competition, possibly benefiting from leniency around the ruck.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett stressed that he likes the intention to create a more entertaining product for fans but said the plan won't work unless the ruck is policed properly.
"I support what they're trying to do but at the same time ... I've never been in an era of the game where players are less compliant than they've ever been,'' he said after their 14-6 victory over Canterbury on Friday.
"They stretch every thing they possibly can out there on the field and that puts a lot more pressure on the referees as well.
"It's not a criticism here; it's just a fact, it's what I'm seeing, and today I thought was the worst I've seen that situation as well."
