Opinion and analysis, sin bin farce giving NRL black eye, moment that could turn season around for Melbourne Storm, Wayne Bennett mind games, Paul Crawley

Have you ever known a sport to punch itself in the face as hard and as often as the NRL does?

Just when you thought the six-again restart rule was finally getting back to a manageable state, now we are dealing with a sin bin plague that is every bit as big a turn-off for the fans.

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And it’s such a shame that so many matches are being influenced, even shaped, by these grey-area calls instead of the great football we are witnessing this year.

We should be focussing on the incredible tries that are being scored.

The amazing athleticism.

The phenomenal speed.

The explosiveness combined with the endurance.

But no, on the biggest day of the NRL regular season calendar, it was two ridiculous sin bins that stole the spotlight.

Yes, the Roosters were always expected to win _ and win comfortably.

But in the fair dinkum stakes the Dragons were never given a fighting chance to make it a contest worthy of the occasion on Anzac Day after two contentious first-half sin bins.

Luciano Leilua was first to go, marched for a late, high shot on a kicking Sam Walker.

Was it dumb? Yes, without question it was a boneheaded play by the Dragons backrower.

But worthy of 10 minutes in the bin? That’s highly debatable.

Yet while Leilua was off, the Roosters blew the score out from 12-0 to 22-4.

The contest was effectively over.

But just to rub it in, the Dragons then lost Daniel Atkinson soon after Leilua returned to the field for a so-called “professional foul”.

It occurred when Atkinson knocked the ball out of the dummy half’s hand after the ball had clearly left the ruck.

Was it even worthy of a penalty? Again, that’s debatable.

But a sin bin?

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In Channel Nine commentary, two of the greatest players of the modern generation in Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith argued that point.

Johns said: “Is that a new rule? I’ve never heard that … I can’t believe that was a penalty, let alone a sin bin.”

Smith, the out-and-out best dummy half to ever play the game, was also of the belief that the dummy half should be “fair game” the moment the dummy half exits the ruck.

“You need to be aware that there’s going to be a marker that’s trying to put you under the pressure and play at the ball … I think that needs to change, that rule,” Smith said.

Yet the Dragons, already out of their depth against one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking teams, still had to play another 10 minutes a man down.

In that period the Roosters raced in two more tries.

It completely ruined the game for everyone bar Roosters supporters.

I’m not saying the Dragons would have stood a chance even if it remained 13 on 13 for the entire match.

But surely, they at least deserved a fighting chance.

Meanwhile, days earlier, it was Benji Marshall blowing up after Api Koroisau’s sin bin for a hip drop against the Raiders.

Even in victory, Benji couldn’t bite his tongue that such an innocuous tackle could cost a team their dummy half for 10 minutes.

“I don’t know what he’s supposed to do in that situation,” Benji said of Koroisau’s tackle on Noah Martin.

“He’s making a cover tackle from behind. Of course he’s going to land on his legs.”

And again, in that 10-minute period Api was off the field, the Raiders scored two tries to take the lead in front of a sellout Leichhardt Oval.

It was the ultimate proof of how big a handicap it is playing a man down in the modern game _ where the six again restart rule has already made it just about impossible for the defending team to stay on the contest.

Benji added: “I just think the fans deserve some consistency around the interpretations of the rules. We’re not getting it”.

And Benji is right, the fans do deserve better.

As Wayne Bennett said late last week in response to Benji’s blow up, while we can’t ever expect consistency across the game, we can limit the amount of sin bins we are seeing.

Bennett’s argument is that the match review committee should be left to hand out the punishments after the game.

If it’s a blatant and reckless high shot, the ref can still go ahead and send them off.

But if it’s not so clearcut, or as dangerous, shouldn’t we be keeping 13 on 13 wherever possible?

Bennett told the media last week: “The sin bin is the worst thing for me personally because of the inconsistencies that is applied.

“It has a huge impact on games. I don’t believe it’s fair. We have a judiciary that does a pretty good job reviewing all the games, and they get charged the next day.

“I can’t get into my head why you can’t do that the next day.

“Whatever you want to do, I don’t care. But don’t send a guy to the bin for a hip-drop and (not) send another guy.”

Let’s hope the NRL was listening.

ABSOLUTE MADNESS HOW API GETS SAME THREE-MATCH BAN AS SU’A?

That said, I still find it absurd that Api’s hip drop even warrants a three-match ban _ the same suspension Jaydn Su’A will serve for attempting to decapitate Cam Murray.

I understand that Koroisau had already been charged three times this year, and the loading influences the severity of his punishment.

But for mine this is another clear example where the punishment does not fit the crime under the current loading system.

Adding to the severity of Api’s punishment, it also means Koroisau is now no chance of getting selected for NSW for the State of Origin opener _ given he won’t play again before the Blues team is named.

DON’T BE FOOLED BY BENNETT’S MIND GAMES

It’s always dangerous trying to psychoanalyse Wayne Bennett.

But there’s little doubt the NRL’s most experienced coach was up to his old tricks after South Sydney’s statement win over Melbourne Storm.

While others were celebrating, Bennett was busy deflecting.

Plenty of commentators and fans took exception to his short, surly media conference.

Most couldn’t understand why Bennett wouldn’t at least praise his players after such an outstanding performance.

It was Souths’ first-ever win over Melbourne at AAMI Park.

Instead, it looked like Coach Grumpy turned up ready to pick a fight.

But this wasn’t about the media.

It was about the message Bennett wanted his players to hear _ that now is not the time to be patting themselves on the back.

And yes, Bennett might have come across as an old stick in the mud in the process.

But he was prepared to take a bullet to make sure his players didn’t get caught up in their own hype.

Eight rounds into the season, he knows better than anyone how quickly things can turn.

And how one big win can become a distraction if it leads to complacency.

He also knows what’s coming up next _ a trip to face the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle. A side on a three-game slide but far from easy-beats.

Especially with the likely return of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew, while Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell may also be available.

Add to that Bennett’s history up in Newcastle, and you can bet the Knights will lift in front of their home crowd.

Bennett also hasn’t forgotten Souths’ shock loss to Canberra in Perth a few weeks back that came after an impressive win over the Bulldogs.

There is no doubt the Rabbitohs turned up in WA a bit cocky and with their minds not completely on the job.

It’s a reminder how quickly momentum can stall.

Bennett understands better than anyone how hype in April means nothing come September.

It might have looked prickly, but it was calculated.

It might not win him any friends in the media today.

But it might just win Souths something far more important later in the year when it matters most.

WAS THIS THE MOMENT THAT COULD TURN THE STORM’S SEASON?

It is easy to put the boot into the Melbourne Storm after six straight defeats.

But I could only admire how Harry Grant stuck up for a clearly shattered Craig Bellamy at the post-match media conference.

I don’t think I have ever seen Bellamy look so out of answers as when he spoke after the loss to the Rabbitohs.

Saying that this was “probably the most embarrassed I have ever been in my footy life” to “come up with a performance like that”, and “a lack of effort like that on Anzac Day”.

You could see the emotion and confusion etched in Bellamy’s face.

And when asked by Fox League’s Lara Pitt if he thinks he still has the buy-in from the players, Bellamy conceded: “That’s a good point, I might not have”.

But that’s when Grant jumped in, taking his frustration out on Lara: “Yeah he does (have the buy-in). That’s a silly question.

“Like, you don’t need to ask him that.

“He’s a modest guy. He’s probably going to look to himself for these results. But at the end of the day no one works harder than Craig”.

While it certainly wasn’t a ‘silly’ question from Lara given the Storm’s recent results, you could see the genuine hurt Grant was feeling as he tried to defend his coach.

I just hope for the Storm’s sake that same hurt spreads across the entire playing group and we look back in the coming weeks as this being the moment that sparked the Storm back to life.

Surely with that much embarrassment, there will be a response on the field sooner rather than later.

The Storm have too many stars to be sitting second last on the NRL ladder with only the Dragons below them.

IN-FORM TIGER DESERVES A BLUE JUMPER

If Adam Doueihi can continue his outstanding form for a few more weeks, surely the 27-year-old deserves a call-up for NSW this year.

Aside from Nathan Cleary, there has not been a playmaker eligible for Blues selection (other than perhaps the Broncos’ ageless Adam Reynolds) in better form than the Tigers’ halfback, who was again superb in the 33-14 win over the Raiders.

Doueihi finished with 12 runs for 98m that included two tries, two linebreaks and a linebreak assist.

It takes Doueihi’s tally to four tries for the season, while he leads all the NRL halves for linebreaks (seven), tackle busts (36) and run metres (averaging 118m a game). He also has eight try assists.

As we stand here today, there is no question Doueihi is in far better form than both Mitchell Moses and Ethan Strange.

It will be hard for Laurie Daley to overlook Moses given how well the Parramatta halfback has performed in the past for the Blues, while Strange has been touted as a future “Origin player”, and the fact he toured with the Kangaroos to the UK last year will be in Strange’s favour.

But given Laurie Daley has said previously he will be picking his team on form this year, Doueihi at the very least warrants a spot on the NSW bench given he could play in the halves, centre, fullback or lock.

I wrote last week, for a bloke who has had three knee reconstructions to come back and play the best football of his career is an absolute inspiration.

EVEN WITHOUT THE BRAIN EXPLOSIONS, LATRELL IS STILL NRL’S MOST DANGEROUS PLAYER

Now to Latrell Mitchell, and I don’t think I have ever seen him in more dominant form than he is right now.

Not even in his early years at the Roosters when he won two premierships under Trent Robinson.

And while I’ve been critical of some of Latrell’s minor brain explosions in recent weeks (like rag dolling Daniel Atkinson into the posts last round, and diving into the legs of an unsuspecting Connor Tracey the previous week), when Latrell gets that crap out of his game he is still the most dangerous player in the NRL.

And don’t let Wayne Bennett fool you that the Rabbitohs aren’t more than capable of doing something special this year, especially if Latrell can remain focussed.

DUFTY WOULD HAVE INJURED RABBITOH EXTREMELY NERVOUS

Another player who deserves a massive rap at the Bunnies is Matt Dufty, who has been sensational in his two games filling in for the injured Jye Gray.

After clocking 300-plus metres against the Dragons last round, Dufty finished with 23 runs for 292m against the Storm _ which included a try, a try assist, nine tackle busts, two line breaks and a line break assist.

The way Dufty is going, it will be a big decision for Bennett when Gray comes back from injury as to who stays wearing the No 1 jumper if Dufty can continue in this form.

EDWARDS LAY DOWN THE CHALLENGE TO TEDDY

Dylan Edwards also answered his critics with a superb performance in the Panthers’ dominant 44-12 win over the Knights.

With all the recent talk about James Tedesco’s super form to start the season and how it warrants a NSW return, Edwards went out and in the space of eight minutes in the first half scored a hattrick.

Tedesco was also brilliant in the Roosters’ win.

Whichever way Daley goes, he won’t go wrong.

BRAVE BRONCOS DO IT AGAIN

There isn’t a braver team in the NRL than what we’ve seen from the injury-ravaged Broncos in recent weeks.

We said their win last week over the Tigers at Campbelltown was one of the gutsiest in the club’s history given how many stars were sidelined.

Yet to back that up with the performance they produced against the Bulldogs was next level _ especially given how desperate the Bulldogs should have been going into this match after their shock loss to Parramatta the previous round.

But with Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan among a stack on the sidelines, the Broncos absolutely gave it to the Dogs who even had their inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton back on deck.

Once again, 35-year-old Reynolds was in vintage form with a masterclass playmaking performance, while Kotoni Staggs didn’t do his Origin hopes any harm with another wholehearted effort.

And Ezra Mam is also getting back to the form we know he is capable of after his slow start to the season.

While the performance of the Broncos’ patched-up pack was equally impressive _ with young Xavier Willison leading the charge with 20 runs for 140m along with 31 tackles. Jordan Riki was the other standout with 16 runs for 109m and 39 tackles.

I know the Panthers are the competition favourites, but the defending premiers are looking ominous.

BATTLING BULLDOGS RAISE MORE QUESTIONS

As for the Bulldogs, they have now dropped to 10th on the ladder _ and their performance against the Broncos again raises more questions than answers.

This time a lot of the talk after the game focussed on Cameron Ciraldo’s latest left-field decision to drop Bailey Hayward to the bench and start Jake Turpin at dummy half.

Some are now saying Hayward is better suited to the middle forward role than he is starting at hooker.

For mine, Kurt Mann still has the edge on Hayward in that role, even though Jaeman Salmon is the starting 13.

Confused? So am I.

Meanwhile, the jury’s still out on whether Lachlan Galvin is a halfback.

I concede I jumped on the Galvin bandwagon after his career-best performance in the shock win over the Panthers.

But the two matches since have only created more doubt.

I can’t wait to see which Bulldogs team turns up when they host the Cowboys at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

COULD DRINKWATER END UP PLAYING IN DRAGONS HALVES?

What about the turnaround in the form of Scott Drinkwater.

After his shocker against the Sea Eagles, Drinkwater was back to his sensational best in the 46-34 win over the Sharks.

Finishing with a try, three try assists as well as three line break assists, Drinkwater showed why the $900,000-a-season the Dragons will be paying him next year should be money well spent.

With the ball in hand, I’d still rate Drinkwater as the second most influential fullback in the NRL behind only Reece Walsh.

Alex McKinnon wrote on Fox.Sports.com.au last week how signing Drinkwater to a three-year deal “would be the dumbest move they could make” given the Dragons have an exceptional 18-year-old fullback in Oliver Burton coming through the grades.

While I don’t question Alex’s knowledge of young Burton, I also reckon Drinkwater is a great buy for the Dragons.

And as a former Australian Schoolboys halfback, I reckon the 28-year-old could easily make the switch into the halves at some point in the future if required.

While there are obvious questions over Drinkwater’s defence, he’d offer a lot more spark in attack than anything we’ve seen at the Dragons over the past few years.

He also has an outstanding kicking game.

STILL TOO EARLY FOR SEA EAGLES TO MAKE CALL ON FORAN

Even after four straight wins under Kieran Foran, I still think it would be wise for Manly to hold off offering Foran the head coaching contract for next year and beyond.

It’s not as if another club is going to come and sign Foran and take him away next year.

And especially after all the drama that surrounded Anthony Seibold’s exit, the Sea Eagles owe it to themselves to be extremely careful before committing their long-term future to a coach who has no previous experience.

There is no doubt Foran’s appointment has been an inspiration so far, and the players are obviously responding to him.

But time will tell if Foran is the right man to lead the club for the long haul.

The decision doesn’t need to be made in a hurry.

The longer Manly leave it before making a call the better off everyone involved will be.

We are still very early into the season, and Manly’s next three matches against the Panthers, Broncos and Wests Tigers will give us a far better gauge on where they are really at.