Andrew Johns has strongly criticized the recent use of “sin bins” during round eight matches, labelling the situation as “farcical.” His comments arose following contentious decisions made during Thursday’s game involving the Bulldogs and intensifying during Saturday night’s encounter between Manly and the Panthers. Specifically, players Scott Sorensen and Siosiua Taukeaho were penalised for high contact, with Sorensen now facing a two-match suspension.
During an appearance on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Johns expressed his frustration regarding the NRL’s latest enforcement measures and their potential adverse effects on fans. He remarked on the challenges players face when trying to adhere to the new tackling guidelines, suggesting that aiming for a low tackle could result in serious injury to the defender.
Johns demanded clarity from the NRL about what is expected of players in these situations. He described the two-match ban imposed on Sorensen as “absolutely farcical” and criticized the ongoing crackdown that leads to players being sent to the bin for what he sees as trivial infractions. He indicated that the heavy scrutiny from the Bunker—used for reviewing play—should focus only on try-scoring opportunities, rather than reviewing multiple plays where officials and players may have missed initial infractions.
With the forthcoming Magic Round, Johns voiced concern for the working-class fans who invest their time and money into attending matches, suggesting that a continuation of these controversial decisions would taint the event. He conveyed a growing frustration among players regarding how the game is officiated and underscored the importance of maintaining fan engagement, asserting that without fans, the financial viability of the sport would be jeopardised.
Johns concluded by highlighting the unpredictable nature of accidents in sport and called for the NRL to take responsibility and communicate their rationale behind these new regulations.