I was never a fan of the four-tackle rule. A rule introduced in 1967 and, thankfully, lasted just four seasons.
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Out with the four-tackle rule and in 1971, in with the six.
Still operating 49-years later.
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Let me cut to the chase.
I don't like limited tackle football.
I agree unlimited tackle Rugby League can be monotonous with one team having the ball as if they owned it.
But was the St.George juggernaut of the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties boring?
Hardly!
The cynics believed St.George were spoil sports.
Winning successive premierships from 1956-1966.
The dragon-naut had to be stopped.
So the tackles were limited thus nullifying points scoring opportunities.
The drastic rule revolution ended Saints world record breaking run of 11 successive premierships.
There is a way of getting rid of the six-tackle rule, a rule that encourages panic and fosters predictably.
"Take Ten."
No, not a 10-tackle rule. A 10 minute possession rule.
The team that gets the ball from the start of play has it for 10 minutes.
At the 10-minute mark a bell sounds.
The team that has been in possession must hand over the ball at the next ruck.
Now if you are one who get their kicks from the grubber, the chip and chase or the bomb-don't despair.
Those kicks can still be employed within the 10 minute period.
A team that has possession in its 10 minute time frame could be without the ball for the next 10 minutes, the opposition having captialised on the opponent'error.
Ten minutes is a long time in the life of a try.
Gone will be the panic to score.
The five tackles and kick can be put to pasture.
In its place a well structured attack.
Sides that make the most of each of their 10 minutes with the ball will prosper.
Maybe all this is too revolutionary.
Well, I can't think of anything that was more revolutionary than the limited tackle rules.
Take 10.
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