This time last season the NRL world was whipping itself into a frenzy about kick-off collision injuries amidst rising concerns around high-impact head trauma and concussions.
The controversy was inescapable, yet despite several months of heated debate—which only intensified after Sydney Roosters forward Lindsay Collins was shockingly knocked out in the opening seconds of the 2024 Preliminary Final against the Melbourne Storm—nothing actually changed.
Yet it seems something has changed on the field this season with kick-off incidents now barely rating a mention, aside from ‘Back Fence Spence’ ahead of Origin Game II perhaps.
Is it simply a matter of the media moving on to another perpetual news story (hello Lachlan if you’re reading), have NRL players checked their tackling styles perhaps, or is something else going on?
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Speaking after last year’s Dragons-Roosters Anzac Day clash that saw Moses Suli concussed on the very first play as he attempted to tackle rampaging Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, NRL head of elite football Graham Annesley commented directly on the complex issue.
Annesley acknowledged collisions are ‘a big part of our game’ but also warned that long kick-offs were on the game’s radar and not necessarily immune from change in the pursuit of greater player safety.
“Never say never about anything, because the game evolves and player safety is a high priority,” Annesley said.
Radical rule change
Last off-season there were multiple reports that the NRL was indeed about to take action on the issue.
Specifically, the game’s lawmakers were said to be considering a radical rule change to encourage shorter kick-offs, with any restart travelling beyond the opposition’s 20-metre line giving the attacking team a seven-tackle set.
Reaction to the potential change was, at best, mixed with many within the NRL fraternity doubting its likely effectiveness including SEN Radio host and Fox Sports commentator, Andrew Voss.
“It won’t change teams’ mentality,” Voss said bluntly.
“You’ll still see teams go with a long kick-off and prepared to concede a seven-tackle set because they want the opposition under pressure.”
Plenty agreed and by the time the 2025 season rolled around the idea had been scrapped by the NRL.
Good management or good luck?
While long drop-outs in the NRL have reduced over recent seasons—more due to tactics than safety, of course—there’s been little noticeable change in the depth of kick-offs during the current season, yet restart head injuries do seem to be down.
The NRL’s controversial high shot crackdown back in Round 8 may well have played some role, with a remarkable 18 players sin binned across that weekend’s eight matches.
But perhaps the game has just been lucky so far in 2025?
As the finals approach and the stakes increase it only takes one errant shoulder, forearm or misplaced head for the issue to be thrust firmly back in the crosshairs.
Watch this space, because you can bet Graham Annesley and Co will be.