The NRL is on track to more than double its record for the most sinbins in a round, after the game’s new edict saw Magic Round start amid farcical scenes.
Eight players were binned in the opening two games on Friday night, with Wests Tigers, Newcastle, Brisbane and Manly all having two expelled.
With six games to go, that number is well on track to surpass the record 14 players that were sinbinned in round 11 in 2018 as the high in the NRL-era.
The sudden rise has come as part of a two-pronged crackdown across the game.
Six players were sent on their way for professional fouls and ruck infringements on Friday night, while two Broncos were ejected for high shots.
The NRL are desperate to eradicate dangerous contact, after a surge in high tackles and players being charged for contact with the head this year.
Likewise, deliberate set restarts have become an issue, with the majority given away to slow the ruck early in sets.
Regardless, Knights coach Adam O’Brien insisted the sinbins were not the answer after his team’s 36-18 loss to the Tigers.
“We had a guy going off, thought it was really harsh, on the back of a couple in a row,” O’Brien said.
