LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has expressed confidence that last week's high tackle drama will not overshadow the Magic Round.
He noted that a new directive encourages the bunker to intervene less frequently, which is expected to result in fewer sin bins during the event.
The previous week's play was chaotic, with 18 sin bins as fans grew frustrated over bunker interventions for minor offenses.
This year, foul play, especially high tackles, has been a significant concern, leading to over $104,650 in fines and a collective 54 weeks of suspended player time.
Despite these issues, Abdo believes that players will refrain from faking injuries to invoke bunker reviews and is optimistic that the on-field action will take center stage.
He stated, "I'm not worried.
The players are professionals and the referees know what they're doing." This outlook contrasts with past incidents, most notably a crackdown that overshadowed the Magic Round four years ago.
Overall, Abdo seems assured that the event will proceed smoothly without similar disruptions.