Discipline is an often-overlooked factor in NRL games and their results, particularly since the advent of the six-again rule.
Penalty counts will always come up from the losing side if they are on the wrong side of them, but other than that, it's rare penalties are referenced as a determining factor in NRL matches.
But why do losing teams blame the penalty count, or the six-again figures? Sure, it has an impact on possession, territory and the overall momentum of the game, but the stats will show it's possible be both good and undisciplined, with two of the top six finishing outside the top eight when it comes to penalties conceded.
In saying that, those two sides proved themselves as excellent defenders, and the remainder of the top six were all in the top half.
However, you could almost say the NRL need to look into these numbers and work out how to yet again clean the game up. Simply put, there is no way that teams conceding penalties for fun should be winning the competition, but that's the exact position the competition finds itself in.
On this list, we look at the top six teams in the competition and their position relative to penalties conceded throughout the 2021 regular season, with a full list of every NRL club on the final page so you can compare for yourself.
5. Sydney Roosters
Ladder position: 5th
Penalties conceded: 122
Penalties conceded rank: 15th
It's not a surprise to see the tri-colours with one of the worst discipline records in the competition.
When it comes to penalties and errors, no one does it more consistently than the Roosters. They fumble and bumble their way through most seasons, only to pop out the other side in the top eight or higher.
This year, they were limited to fifth spot on the ladder at the end of the season, but it could have been very different without an injury crisis bordering on what must be the worst the NRL has ever seen.
Trent Robinson has never seemed overly bothered however by the mounting penalties and errors against his team, with a defensive structure that will back themselves to get the job done time and time again.
Their attack is good enough to pounce on whatever opportunities they do get, and the strategy can hardly be questioned when they finish to far up the table.
