Despite the fact that the referee's decision to award a penalty 10 metres out and right in front of the posts for an infringement on Adam Reynolds when he attempted a field goal took everyone by surprise on Good Friday, the rule was actually introduced in 1981. I knew the rule existed in some form because I witnessed the game's first and only three-point field goal in 1982. North Sydney's Mitchell Cox kicked a field goal at North Sydney Oval, but was fouled after the kick by Newtown's Ken Wilson. As a result, a penalty was awarded in front and John Gray kicked the penalty goal for a three-point result. However, I had absolutely no idea that any unsuccessful attempt at field goal would result in the penalty being taken from this close range position if the kicker was fouled during or after the attempt. Having seen it applied on Good Friday, I think this rule needs a slight adjustment. Let's put things into perspective though. I can't remember another instance when we've needed to enforce this particular rule since 1982, so no one is to blame here. It's just one of those rules which has sat dormant for many years without anyone really questioning its validity. But with the introduction of golden point extra time and so many games now being decided with field goals, it's important we consider all permutations of where this rule could be applied. I can understand the positioning of the penalty if a kick is successful and a foul on the kicker is committed. I can also accept that if a field goal attempt misses, but goes dead in-goal on the full, the positioning of the ensuing penalty seems appropriate. However, let's consider a situation where a player attempts a long-range field goal, from say 50m out. Let's say the ball only travels 10m because he mis-hits the ball, or it hits a defender in front of him, or he kicks it so badly the ball goes over the sideline (don't laugh, I've seen it happen). It would then seem ridiculous that a penalty be awarded 40m upfield in front of the posts. Reynolds' kick landed well wide of the mark. If the referee decides a penalty should be given for a foul, then the penalty should be awarded where the ball lands, in accordance with all similar situations where a kicker is fouled in general play. If the kick is successful, or the attempted kick goes dead in-goal on the full, then apply the rule as it's currently written. If not, award the penalty where the ball lands, or in line with where the ball lands if it hits the ground in-goal. It's a small point, but I think it's important.

Five-day turnarounds are tough

Confrontation: James Graham confronts referee Gerard Sutton after awarding the Rabbitohs the game-deciding penalty.

With rugby league played over four days each weekend and no agreement in place between the NRL, broadcasters and the RLPA to protect players with regards to turnaround time between games, many teams throughout the season are being forced to back up within five days of their previous game far too regularly. While the addition of a regular Easter Monday afternoon game was long overdue, the playing of a third Monday game last weekend was surely overkill. This left us with just one Sunday game being played and making it more difficult to schedule matches for this weekend. As a result six teams this weekend will play off a five-day turnaround. The Sharks and the Roosters have matches this Friday night after playing last Sunday while the Tigers, Eels, Panthers and Warriors all play Saturday after playing on Monday. League is a very physical game and we must be cognisant of this when asking our athletes for peak performances so quickly after their previous match. Hopefully future agreements between the relevant parties will give greater consideration to extending the minimum gap between games for players from five to six days (like the AFL), but in the meantime we should do all we can to limit the instances of five-day turnarounds, not increase their regularity.

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