Referees have awarded 639 less penalties than at the corresponding time last season, adding almost two minutes of action to each game.

The NRL has reviewed the opening 23 rounds of the season and the numbers suggest there has been a significant correction after the whistle-happy offerings that marred the spectacle for much of last season. The low point was the Sharks-Storm debacle in round three of last year, when players, fans and the officials themselves were frustrated after 33 penalties were awarded in the space of 80 minutes.

Referee Matt Cecchin explains a decision to Dragons captain Gareth Widdop. Credit:AAP

While there is still the occasional anomaly - Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was particularly vocal after 27 penalties were awarded in last Sunday’s loss to Manly - the figures show officials have been more discerning when blowing the whistle.

“There was a very significant increase in penalties last year that was fairly heavily criticised for the amount of intrusion the referees had on games, particularly the first half of last year,” said NRL head of football Graham Annesley.