NRL referees will take into account whether a player injured in the act of foul play is likely to return to the field when deciding to use the sin bin for serious offences such has high tackles and shoulder charges this year.

In a scenario which could have seen Raiders enforcer Sia Soliola spending 10 minutes on the sidelines for his hit on a concussed Billy Slater last year, foul play infringements which aren't deemed worthy of a send off can now be punished with sin-binning.

Nasty look for game: Billy Slater is knocked out by Iosia Soliola during the round-20 match between the Raiders and the Storm at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Credit:AAP

The option for whistleblowers to use the sin bin for reportable foul-play offences means the men in the middle can immediately punish several indiscretions which have previously fitted into a grey area and forced their opponents to lose a player.

Many such as serious lifting tackles and shoulder charges have previously been put on report, but have not been considered bad enough to warrant a send off – even if it has left an opposition player injured or ruled unfit for the rest of the game.