‘It’s a free for all’: NRL accused of turning blind eye to illegal play as Panthers’ tactic exposed

The NRL has come under fire for failing to stamp out an illegal play spotted following Penrith’s comeback win over the Eels last weekend.

Nathan Cleary plays the ball incorrectly against the Eels.

The NRL has come under fire for failing to stamp out illegal play the ball following the Panthers defeat of Parramatta in Round 23.

The Sydney Morning Herald first drew attention to the issue, identifying 11 illegal play the balls in three sets from the Panthers as the premiers made a late charge to victory.

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The report claimed there was just one genuine play the ball attempted in this period.

Addressing the issue on NRL360, Fox League’s Paul Crawley said it was a clear tactic from the Panthers to speed up play.

“I reckon that’s coached to speed up the play the ball,” Crawley said on Monday night’s NRL 360.

“It’s basically tunnel ball”.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta pointed out the advantage a side can get.

“Those seconds make a difference,” he noted.

“If Cleary gets the ball earlier, which therefore gets (him) on an edge and gets to a certain spot where there is a vulnerability, there is a huge advantage to be gained.

Nathan Cleary plays the ball incorrectly against the Eels.

“As a player it makes a huge difference.”

However, the panel noted it wasn’t just the reigning premiers benefitting from loose play the ball officiating, with the issue widespread across modern rugby league.

“It’s just a free for all,” Crawley said.

“Very few players in a game of football will touch a ball with their foot.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie said NRL are avoiding addressing the issue.

“They don’t want a crackdown because they (the NRL) hate the NRL,” he said.

“This should’ve been nipped in the bud in March. That’s the problem, they’ve let it go too long now.”

Having spoken to the game’s governing body a fortnight ago, Ritchie revealed the NRL are hesitant to crack down on the issue right before finals for fear of upsetting the players and the fans.

However, that reasoning didn’t wash with Broncos legend Gorden Tallis, who stated: “It’s not called a crackdown, it’s called refereeing to the rules.”

Crawley agreed, adding that “there’s a rule. You’re not asking for a crackdown. They are (breaking the rules) and the referees have allowed it to get out of control.”

Tallis also noted players shouldn’t have an issue with being asked to play the ball correctly.

“You learnt this is under eights. It’s not as if we’re teaching the players a new trick.”

Originally published as ‘It’s a free for all’: NRL accused of turning blind eye to illegal play as Panthers’ tactic exposed