Field Position Determination Rule
Overview
The winning field position (1-13) for each first try scorer is determined by the position number listed on the official NRL.com Team Lists tab for that match, not by the player's jersey number.
Why This Matters
In modern NRL, players frequently wear jersey numbers that do not match their field position. A player wearing jersey #19 may be named in a starting position (e.g. Centre, position 4) on the official team list. In these cases, the field position from the NRL.com team list is the authoritative source.
Position Determination Rules
| Scenario | How position is determined |
|---|---|
| Starting player (jersey 1-13) in their natural position | Jersey number = field position |
| Starting player wearing jersey > 13 (e.g. #19 named at Centre) | Use the NRL.com team list position number (1-13) |
| Bench player who enters via interchange | Inherits the field position of the player they replaced |
| Bench player, interchange chain unresolvable | Manual review required - check NRL.com team list |
| No try scored by a team | Defaults to position 9 (Hooker) |
Authoritative Source
The "Team Lists" tab on the NRL.com match page is the single source of truth. This page pairs opposing players by field position slot. Each pair corresponds to a position number 1-13.
Example URL: nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2026/round-4/panthers-v-storm/
Centre and Winger Ambiguity
There are two Centre positions (3 and 4) and two Winger positions (2 and 5). The NRL team list displays these as two separate rows, each with a position number.
The position number shown on the team list determines which of the two positions applies. There is no process-of-elimination logic based on other players' jersey numbers.
Worked Example
Round 4, 2026 - Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm
Manaia Waitere (Storm, jersey #19) was named in the starting 13 at the Centre position. The NRL.com team list showed him in the position 4 slot alongside Casey McLean (#4, Panthers). Nick Meaney (#4, Storm) was listed in the position 3/4 Centre row above.
The winning position was recorded as 4 - the slot where Waitere was listed on NRL.com.
Rationale
- Based on a published, timestamped, independently verifiable source
- Removes subjective judgment from the platform operator
- Consistent and repeatable - anyone can check the NRL.com team list
- If challenged, the platform can point to the NRL.com source as the basis for the result
Was this article helpful?