In a striking observation, two NRLW players have pinpointed the significant issue of hip drop tackles affecting the women's league as rooted in inadequate pre-season preparation.
This season has already witnessed 19 charges related to hip drop tackles after merely four rounds, which is just one fewer than the total for the entire previous season.
During the last weekend's matches, both Roosters' Isabelle Kelly and Tigers' Brooke Talataina found themselves sent to the sin bin for this very infraction.
Echoing each other's sentiments, Sharks captain Tiana Penitani-Gray and Wests Tigers lock Holli Wheeler emphasized that inconsistencies in tackle interpretation and a brief pre-season are contributing factors to the surge in illegal tackles.
"Where I think the problem is is the inconsistency (of the) refereeing week-to-week," stated Tiana Penitani-Gray during an NRLW discussion on Fox.
"The inconsistencies are really killing us at the moment. One week it's a send-off, and then the next weekend it's not even a penalty, but they're referred to the judiciary, and they're suspended," added Wheeler, highlighting the perplexing nature of officiating.