The NRL’s controversial six-again scourge has found a surprising fan in Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, who says he has embraced the ruling and encouraged fans to do the same.
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Stuart said fans ultimately had a decision to make around the controversial tackle restarts which have at-times overshadowed a blockbuster start to the NRL season.
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Almost 12 months ago to the day, a ropeable Stuart was the centre of a media storm around tackle restarts after his side was on the wrong end of a 7-1 set restart count in an early-season loss to Manly.
Speaking with media on Tuesday ahead of the Canberra’s important home game against the Bulldogs on Thursday night, the Raiders great said he had embraced changes to the ruling for 2026.
“Peter V’landys has made it very clear to us all that the business we are in is an entertainment business, and you can see that the [NRL] commission want it to be fast, you can see the commission want it to be attractive for our fans and they want tries scored,” Stuart said.
“Speeding up the game is one way of doing that. Eliminating the penalties from the 20-metre to the 40-metre zone is going to speed the game up and have more ball in play. You can see the nature of what the commission want.
“With the six-agains, you’ve got to make a decision yourself as a fan: do you want a referee to keep penalising wrestle, or would you rather it just be play-on with the six-again?
“Would you like to be a fan of an opposition team where you’ve got a team that just wants to keep on wrestling and wrestling, and wear the referee out to the stage where the referee just doesn’t give any more penalties?
“You make the decision yourself as a fan. I know what I want. I want to eliminate wrestle, I want to have speed in the game, and if the six-again is the way to go then that is the way to go. We’ve got to have that.”
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High instances of tackle restarts were particularly topical across the first round of the NRL, with more than 60 six-again decisions across eight games.
Confusion reigned at different points in the second round, as captains and even coaches said they were unaware of what infringements their side was committing to provoke a set restart.
Stuart said he was satisfied with the rulings so far, but urged the NRL and its referees to exercise consistency across all players and teams.
“I don’t think we want to see the wrestle and the ugliness on the ground. I think that’s a blight on our game,” Stuart commented.
“I don’t enjoy getting six-agains against our team but we’re doing everything we can to have a cleaner ground and get the execution correct so we’re not giving it away.
“As a coach, as a concern, it’s as long as the referees are consistent with the six-agains, as long as the referees are also coming down on high-profile players in regards to six-agains, I’m comfortable with it.”
Stuart’s comments echoed that of Fox League’s Kevin Walters, who said teams needed to embrace the NRL’s new blitz with both their discipline and defence.
The six-again rule has a new fan.Source: FOX SPORTS
PERTH BEARS CONFIRM NEWEST ARRIVAL
The Perth Bears have confirmed their newest and 16th signing with the arrival of English international Mikolaj Oledzki.
The third English international to sign with the club, Oledzki will link up with the Bears on a three-year contract until the end of 2029, subsequently ending his stint in the Super League with the Leeds Rhinos.
An explosive ball-runner, the 27-year-old plays in the forward pack and has made nine international appearances for England, with the latest being during the 2025 Ashes Series against Australia.
“Mik is a dynamic player who has established himself as one of the consistent prop forwards in the Super League competition,” Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga said.
“I’ve admired his game for a long time, and I am thrilled to welcome Mik and his young family to Western Australia in 2027.”
Born in Poland, he will join Rhinos teammates Harry Newman and James McDonnell in the club’s inaugural Top 30 roster.
“It’s been an ambition of mine to test myself in the NRL and I am delighted to have the opportunity to do it with Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears,” Oldezki said.
“The roster is starting to take shape and it’s exciting to think about playing in front of our fans in Perth. I’ve been told they are a loyal and passionate group.
“Most of all, I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my family over to Western Australia.
“Growing up in Poland I would never have thought I’d have the opportunity to live in Perth, but rugby league has given me that chance. I love this game and will be giving it my all for the Bears in 2027 and beyond.”
Who will be the Bears next signing?Source: Getty Images
SHOULD DALLY M SYSTEM TO BE OVERHAULED?
The NRL’s Dally M voting system has once again come under the spotlight after a broadside from Fox League commentator Andrew Voss this week.
The current Dally M system has drawn its share of critics since being introduced at the beginning of the 2023 season.
Under it, two judges hand out 3-2-1 votes in each round match, allowing a player to earn a maximum of six points per game.
On his daily SEN Radio show, Voss implored the NRL to “blow up” the current Dally M voting system following the release of Round 2 votes on Tuesday, which he labelled as “embarrassing”.
Of most intrigue from the weekend, according to Voss, was the decision to award Dylan Brown (four points) and Tyson Frizell (three votes) top honours in the Knights win over Manly – despite both playing limited minutes.
“Blow up the Dally Ms, blow them up,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“The system is broken… the system does not work. Tyson Frizell against his own fellow forwards had 10 runs for 92 metres, and he’s voted the best player on the field.
“Trey Mooney had the best game of his career the other day: 17 runs, had 5 offloads in his 50 minutes and 26 tackles. That’s superb figures for a front-rower.
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“Dylan Lucas on the edge, 14 runs for 124 metres, three tackle busts, 30 tackles, played all 80 minutes. Jermaine McEwen, this young back rower, 14 runs, 104 metres, played all 80 (minutes), 28 tackles.
“Jacob Saifiti went well, 12 runs, 122 metres, 27 tackles. Mat Croker, who started the game, 14 runs, 24 tackles, played 60 minutes of the match. How out of order can I get? What are you smoking? What do I say to that?”.
Warriors’ prop Jackson Ford currently leads the Dally M voting after two rounds, earning the maximum possible 12 votes.
But there are others on the tally count who probably shouldn’t be, according to Voss.
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In the same highlighted match, Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu was awarded two points by the Dally M panel, despite limited figures in a losing side.
“Here’s Haumole Olakau’atu’s stats. Seven runs for 67 metres, two touches of the ball in the second half, one was a dropped ball, three tackle busts, 28 tackles,” Voss said.
“Now he’s voted the 2nd best player on the field… five of the Newcastle forwards more than doubled that tally of involvement. Doubled the metre running, had the equivalent or more tackle busts, and had more tackles.
“The Olakau’atu one, it’s not a fair go to Newcastle. It’s not a fair go to rugby league fans. We’re being treated like absolute mushrooms if we just stand by this voting.
“That is embarrassing. Blow it up.”
DRAGONS YOUNG GUN LANDS UPGRADE
The St George Illawarra Dragons have handed a contract upgrade to one of their most impressive youngsters coming through the ranks.
Entering this season on a development contract, centre Hayden Buchanan has been upgraded to the club’s Top 30 roster for the 2026 and 2027 seasons as he looks to rack up more NRL appearances under his belt.
A member of the 2023 Australian Schoolboys side and Under-19s NSW Blues representative, he made his debut in Round 23 last year before adding a further four first-grade games to his resume.
“I’m stoked to be extending my time here at the Dragons,” Buchanan said in a statement.
“I grew up here, played junior footy here, junior reps. Making my debut last year was really special and I’m looking forward to building on it.
“We have a great group of players and staff here and we’re on a really exciting journey together.”
Coach Shane Flanagan added, “Hayden’s worked really hard throughout the preseason and deserves this opportunity.”
“He’s one of our local juniors who has been in our system for a while. He played some NRL towards the back end of last season and showed he has what it takes to compete at that level.
“He’s a good trainer and a good teammate. We’re looking forward to seeing his continued development over the next few seasons.”
The centre is a former Under-19s NSW Blues representative.Source: News Corp Australia