The issue I have with RL as a sport is that the vast majority of possessions are totally uncontested. They are just simple throws from one free player to another with no hint of pressure on the passer or receiver to deliver accurately, other than the penalty of dropping a small throw like a 2 year old, because the opposition is many meters away and protected by off-side.
Where as most team ball sports like Australian Rules, soccer, netball, handball, NFL, Hockey and basketball involve a fascinating and often heated contest for possession. The rules allow for players to compete directly beside one and other, requiring greater skill so the passer can deliver accurately and the receiver to receive cleanly, beating his or her opponent in a one on one contest. The skill level required is MUCH higher because the chance of a turnover is far higher. To win a team must be better at these skills than their opposition.
On many occasions though a turnover will occur due to pressure, poor disposal, poor receiving or just better skills by the defense. It happens in all contested sports and is not a sign of poor skill but a healthy sign of a contest!
there is no requirement to have a rule that penalizes an offensive team for failing to execute a successful pass. The mere fact an opposition defensive player is so close to the contest means the ball is inevitably turned over resulting in a suitable penalty without time wasting involved by referee intervention.This leads me to my final observation: how laughable is it that RL fans call AFL Fumbleball when all they are watching is a contest by two teams for the one ball, as is seen in many team sports. Of course they cannot see how dreadfully boring their game looks because in RL a contest for the ball is all but unheard of, and their skill level is poorer because of it.
Discuss! :D
