The NRL is at risk of getting lost in a confusing web of set restarts this season.
With a distinct bell sound and a broad announcement, each set restart is signaled, yet the most debated rule in rugby league remains unclear after three rounds.
Fans are familiar with the sound, just as they recognize the referee's whistle, the annoying Telstra horn, and the vocal supporter quick to criticize the officials.
With the NRL extending the six-again rules from a team's 40-metre line to their 20, the surge in set restarts could validate that boisterous fan's complaints.
In fact, the application of these restarts has been perplexing, leading to confusion for players, coaches, and fans alike.
Set restarts have surged by 67 percent compared to the previous year, with one occurring every 27 play the balls over the past fortnight, while average match margins have spiked to 18 points.
Cameron Munster from Melbourne expressed his frustration last weekend, stating he often doesn't grasp the reasons behind the set restarts, a sentiment echoed by Warriors coach Andrew Webster ahead of their victory against the Knights.
Set restarts are awarded swiftly, making it hard for anyone to comprehend what has triggered the penalty, usually categorized under "ruck infringement."
The game progresses so quickly that teams and their supporters rarely grasp the infractions, leading to rapidly fading hopes.
As many football watchers this year have seen, this can cause a domino effect, increasing fatigue in the penalized team, degrading their discipline and technique, ultimately leading to even more restarts as the scoreboard continues to rise.