NRL news 2024: Scott Sattler backs junior rugby league grand final bans, rejects tackling law change

The NRL legend behind one of the greatest tackles in rugby league history has reservations about changes to tackle development in under-6s.

Junior rugby league players from the Macarthur District pictured at Campbelltown today. Leroy Levy (holding ball) is tackled by Blaze Manning. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Penrith premiership hero Scott Sattler has backed a controversial ban of junior rugby league finals until the age of 13, but has reservations about changes to tackle development in under-6s.

The man responsible for the NRL’s most famous grand final tackle says correct techniques need to be taught to kids as soon as possible to build confidence.

Countrywide changes to laws have banned tackling in under-6s and eliminates finals in age groups until under-13s.

It has divided junior competitions across the state, with many associations reluctantly conforming.

However, some have refused to adopt the new measures outlined in the NRL’s “National Player Development Framework”, and risk legal action from running unsanctioned competitions if they don’t conform to official rules of the game.

Many legends of the game refused to comment on the hot topic, but Sattler offered a measured response.

Sattler, whose famous tackle on Sydney Roosters winger Todd Byrne in the 2003 grand final is regarded among the best of all time, is on board with scrapping finals but has reservations around properly preparing kids for contact.

Scott Sattler’s iconic grand final tackle on Todd Bryne.

“Not playing for a grand final until 13 doesn’t concern me too much, because at times I feel the parents live for the result more than kids,” he told Daily Telegraph.

“I would however like to see a gala day each year that kids can play for a trophy.

“(As for tackling) you need to at least be coaching technique as soon as possible.

“The longer it is neglected the more harm it can be at point of contact for following years.

“Defence is about confidence at introductory ages. I would have one half non-contact, one half contact.”

The concern for many is making sure kids are not being exposed to dangerous contact too early, instead allowing time for proper training so they can tackle safely.

However, the controversy is yet to be resolved among some junior clubs just weeks out from the season.

Macarthur Rugby League, one of the largest catchment areas in NSW, is yet to commit to the changes and will leave the decision up to members at a defining meeting on Wednesday night.

Under the new format, kids will play tag only in under-6s, while under-7s teams will complete a tackle-ready program while playing tag only on game day until the June long weekend.

Once completed, kids will then progress to the tackle format on game day.

It will be a gradual introduction planned out over the next few years, enforced by the NSWRL but instigated by the NRL.

Grand finals will be scrapped until under-11s in 2024, rising to under-12s next year and under-13s in 2026.

DISTRICTS REJECT TACKLING, GRAND FINAL BANS

- Michael Carayannis

Some junior rugby league associations face being banned from competing after refusing to commit to the NRL’s mandate to scrap tackling and finals at younger age groups just weeks before the season begins.

All associations have been told they must mandate the NRL’s controversial countrywide “National Player Development Framework” or run the risk of running unsanctioned competitions

The new rules eliminate tackling in the under-6s and scrap finals until under-13s.

One of the state’s largest junior rugby league catchments, Macarthur Rugby League, is yet to commit to the changes and plan to leave the decision up to its members at a crucial meeting on Wednesday night.

Junior rugby league players from the Macarthur District pictured at Campbelltown today. Leroy Levy (holding ball) is tackled by Blaze Manning. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It is not popular in our district,” said Wests Tigers Junior Rugby League chairman Daniel Draper.

“Last time we put it to a vote to the clubs, the clubs didn’t want it. I’ll tell them of the ramifications and we will go with what the club’s decide. I represent the club’s.”

St George also has strong reservations and is yet to decide while Parramatta will only agree if the rest of Sydney signs up to the changes.

“We will implement the player development framework on the guarantee that all metropolitan domiciled junior leagues implement development competitions up to under-10s,” the Eels said in a statement.

“This position is because we do not want a situation where nearby neighbouring junior leagues may not implement the no competition rule in lower age groups and then we have teams transferring to their district.”

Associations have been told they may be exposed legally if they fail to comply. The changes are now officially considered rules of the game.

The likes of South Sydney, Manly and Cronulla have reluctantly agreed to largely conform.

Manly Junior District Rugby League secretary Matt Brown felt his association had little choice.

“Our district as a whole voted against it,” Brown said.

“It’s the laws of the game and if you don’t abide by the laws of the game and something such as a serious injury occurs and you’re playing outside the laws of the game, insurance may not cover you.

“Executives at the junior league level and coaches at club level could be liable. You can’t take that risk.”

Panthers Juniors Facebook post outlining the changes

Under the gradual introduction instigated by the NRL but enforced by the NSWRL, associations are no longer permitted to have grand finals until under-11s in 2024 before that rises to under-12s next year and under-13s in 2026.

Tackling is banned in under-6s and replaced with league tag while in under-7s they will play tag until the June long weekend. Each under-7s team has to complete a tackle ready program during the first half of the season.

The moves means that after more than 100 years South Sydney will not have grand finals for youngest players.

South Sydney long campaigned against the changes and hope it can have a gradual introduction in 2024 by still having an under-9s grand final. They had grand finals from the under-6s last season.

“It’s a big change,” said South Sydney junior rugby league president Keith McCraw said. “We’ve been playing competitions forever but we are going to have a look at it and see how it goes.”

Associations met with the NSWRL last Wednesday where several associations outlined their growing discontent. NSWRL also warned all clubs in an email obtained by this masthead on Friday that the move is “mandatory.”

“All NSW Leagues are expected to comply in full,” the email read.

“NSWRL and all leagues will not approve any action designed to circumvent PDF (player development framework) implementation including, but not limited to, transfers of teams, groups of players playing up age groups and any other action deemed by leagues or NSWRL to not be within the spirit or rules of the PDF.

“The PDF has three primary objectives: attract and retain participation, foster personal development and transition and nurture performance. It has been implemented nationally and in most regions of NSW other than some NSW Metro areas. Where it has been implemented the primary objectives are overwhelmingly being achieved.”

The NRL delayed implementing the rules last season after being met with heavy resistance. It has been applied nationwide with the NRL declaring the move a success in Queensland with a spike in junior registrations.

Penrith, who have the largest catchment in the country, will fulfil the NRL’s wishes according to Penrith’s junior league general manager Blake South.

“It’s important that we comply to ensure that the safety standards are met and the kids are in a safe and fun environment for rugby league,” South said.

However, a post on the Panthers Juniors’ Facebook account on Friday outlining the changes drew strong criticism with more than 250 angry comments.

“Shame on you this is not saving the sport this could stuff the sport,” Guy Allen wrote.

“People will be more inclined to put their kids in rugby union and not have to deal with it.”

Adam Drinan added: “This is how you take the greatest rugby league nursery in the world and turn it into social tennis. How do you teach a kid to make that one extra tackle or just one more run if it doesn’t really matter? Life is hard. There’s winners and losers and valuable lessons associated with both!”

The Central Coast won’t have grand finals until under-12s.

The plans received widespread condemnation from NRL coaches after a News Corp exclusive poll this week revealed a whopping 93 per cent said they could not see any benefit in banning grand finals.

A poll of 30 NRL head and assistant coaches were split 50/50 of banning tackling until halfway through under-7s.