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.
2. Melbourne Storm
Ladder position: 2nd
Penalties conceded: 99
Penalties conceded rank: = 6th
The Storm are traditionally not the most disciplined side. Widely acknowledged as the inventors of the wrestle, Craig Bellamy has never been one to actively go out seeking winning penalty count scores each week.
The importance of discipline and not giving away penalties isn't lost on the super coach and his team though.
They came up to equal sixth this season, conceding under 100 penalties for the season at an average of just over four per game.
It's little surprise then that Melbourne spent so much time with the football, and were able to pile on the points as if other teams weren't even there.
Melbourne are never going to win the discipline stakes, but they certainly are far from the worst, and teams like the Roosters could learn a thing or two.
