NRL 2023: Wayne Bennett calls for coaches meeting to end sin bin outrage after record year

After a season of record sin bins, Wayne Bennett has called on all coaches to come together and tackle the issue that is angering so many fans, writes Paul Crawley.

Wayne Bennett wants a change to the sin bin rules, including a replacement player when someone is marched. Picture: Getty Images.

Wayne Bennett has revealed his plan to solve the NRL’s growing sin bin outrage that he says is “killing the game” for fans.

The game’s most experienced coach wants a substitute to replace an offending player when they are sent to the sin bin.

It comes as Bennett also called for all coaches and the NRL to meet at the end of the season to tackle the issue, which has resulted in more sin bins than any season since the Super League war erupted in 1995.

“We have to have 13 on 13 because from the fans’ point of view that is what is killing the game,” Bennett said.

Sin bins have increased 10-fold in the last decade, and Wayne Bennett warns it is turning fans off the game. Picture: NRL Photos.

As the game tries to combat growing concussion concerns, Fox Sports Stats show sin bins have multiplied 10-fold over the last decade.

There have already been 110 sin bins in 180 games this year, compared to 99 in 201 games last season, while there were only 62 in 201 games in 2019.

But going back a decade there were only 15 sin bins in 201 games in 2013, while the lowest season tally of the NRL era was in 2012 when there were 11 sin bins in 201 games.

HOW TO FIX THE SIN BIN

Bennett’s idea, to dramatically overhaul the existing sin bin rule, would be to allow a substitute player, which would cost the offending team an interchange.

He would also increase the sin bin period from 10 to 15 minutes, in line with the time a player has to remain off the field to undergo a head injury assessment

Bennett said the only time a team should be left a man down is after a serious act of foul play that constituted a send off.

“We have only had three send-offs this year so I think we can all live with that,” he said.

“But we have had 110 sin bins, so that illustrates the issue we are dealing with here.

“What we should be trying to do is keep the game as even as we possibly can and that would be having 13 versus 13, not 12 versus 13.

“Because by doing that you are not ruining the spectacle of the game and the distorted scoreboard that can happen in that period of time.

“The reason we have so many sin bins now is because the game is a lot tougher on any tackles to do with the head or the neck, and we don’t want to change that.

“But we have to adjust our thinking to how we keep this game equal in terms of the contest.”

Wayne Bennett wants a change to the sin bin rules, including a replacement player when someone is marched. Picture: Getty Images.

BENNETT’S LINE IN THE SAND

Bennett completely understands that the game has to do all it can to minimise concussion injuries.

But, last weekend’s controversial sin binning of Dolphins forward Ray Stone for high contact on falling Roosters halfback Drew Hutchison was “the turning point” for Bennett, who has called for a rethink.

“The game has changed enormously since the sin bin was first introduced,” Bennett said.

“But the impact it has on the game now is to the point where the consequences of a sin bin has become totally unfair.

“There would certainly be one to two tries at least scored during every sin binning, and the repercussions of that is people turn the TV off and walk away disgusted.

“The game is over in their mind.

“Betting is also a huge part of sport today.

The line in the sand moment for Bennett was after Ray Stone was harshly marched for a shot on Roosters star Drew Hutchison. Picture: NRL Imagery.

“The punter who has put his money on because he thought 13 was going to play 13 is a loser.

“The fans of the game are angry because they realise it is going to change the outcome of the game.

“To my knowledge we are one of the very few major sports that have sin bins. Soccer is a worldwide game, they don’t have sin bins. The AFL certainly don’t.”

CALLING ON ALL COACHES

“That is why I am calling the game together to solve what I think is a problem,” Bennett said.

“I want the administrators and the coaches to have a discussion about it and work out the best way forward.

“I am not suggesting what I say is the answer.

“What I am saying is that it is a discussion point and hopefully a move in the right direction.

“We will find a way to keep 13 players on the field.”