It’s a smart move by “Old Man Winner” (coach Wayne Bennett) because he is making optimum use of the eight-man interchange allowance. Arrow and Burgess come on midway through the first half, make an impact, recover during the interval and then play another 10 to 15 minutes. This interchange provided the momentum shift when the eventual grand finalists met in week one of the play-offs. The Panthers led early and scores were level at half-time before Souths finished strongly, winning 16-10.

But what happens if Penrith build a big early lead via sustained attack up the middle and it’s too late for the powerful running Burgess or the skilful Arrow to rescue the game? Souths’ middle has demonstrated it is vulnerable to an early onslaught.

The NRL has been shackled to the Law of Unintended Consequences these past two seasons.

Channel Nine, in renegotiating their broadcasting contract with the NRL following the COVID interruption, argued the game had become boring and TV ratings were declining.

So, ARLC chair Peter V’landys introduced a six-again rule to quicken the game. But it exposed the gap between the good and bad teams, resulting in blowouts and even poorer ratings. Furthermore, more tries mean more conversion attempts, therefore adding to dead time, compared to ball-in-play time. And Nine used the money savings gained from the renegotiated contract to buy the rights to the NRL’s long-time rival, rugby union.

TV ratings have been strong during the semi-finals but this is because the top teams are playing each other and referees have cut back on six-again calls over the past two months.

The Law of Unintended Consequences is also reflected in the NRL’s mid-year crackdown on high tackles, which will extend to the grand final and probably have a major impact on the result.

This year, there has been a four-fold increase in players put on report, compared to 2020.

Because one player put on report for foul play usually results in two free interchanges, it means more substitutions. This, in turn, allows the big men more rest time and therefore a greater role. However, the purpose of the six-again rule was to allow free rein to the little men running past tired behemoths.

This season, forwards (excluding hookers) have scored more tries (278) than in any year since 2007 (282). So, the unexpected consequence of the crackdown on high tackles – a greater role by big men - undermined the intention of the earlier six-again rule.

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Some consequences, while unintended, are also unavoidable.

The NRL shifted the competition to south-east Queensland following the COVID outbreak in Sydney. It allowed the NRL to boast Brisbane would host the grand final for the first time. The form of Melbourne – Queensland’s fourth favourite team- indicated they would make the decider. But two Sydney teams are there for the first time since 2014 and can’t play in Sydney. And now a fresh outbreak could force a late shift of the grand final to Townsville!

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