Group 10 Rugby League: Bathurst Panthers skipper doesn't want to see two-point field goal turn games into a kick-a-thon

From the 2021 season, field goals in the NRL will be worth two points if scored from behind the 40 metre rule, one of several new rules announced last week but it was easily the most significant and talked about change.

Hewitt, who's field goal in extra-time in the 2019 premier league grand final sealed a thrilling premiership win for Panthers, doesn't want to see the new rule kill out potential attacking plays.

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"It's definitely another way of scoring points, but I just hope it doesn't turn it into rugby union where you just start taking pot shots," he said.

"I think that would kill a lot of attack, if people started pulling up at the 40 and had shots.

"I assume they'll trial it at the NRL first. It always takes a few years before you see it out in country footy."

Currently, fields goal are worth one point and have been worth that since 1971, when it was reduced from two points.

Prior to 1970, field goals were worth two points, however with the change of unlimited tackles to a four-tackle rule in rugby league for the 1967 season, their usage greatly increased as a scoring method.

During the 1970 NSWRL season, 142 field goals were kicked but when the rule was changed to one point in 1971, alongside the increase to a six-tackle set, only 17 were kicked during the season.

While the value has been increased back to two from beyond 40 metres out, Hewitt actually believes not too many two-point field goals will be kicked.

"It's hard enough kicking field goals from anywhere on the field, so if it's going to be 40 metres out, it's nearly worth two points," he said.

"I don't think you'll see too many of them. It might be at the end of the first half if scores are even and the clock is winding down.

"Teams will be well aware of it and you're going to find out pretty quick which teams can kick it from that far out."

As there was no premier league competition in 2020, Hewitt remains the last senior player to kick a field goal in an official Group 10 match.

Hewitt scored his field goal from the 20 metre mark deep into extra-time, which was the difference in Panthers' 9-8 win against Mudgee Dragons.

The premiership success was the club's fourth in history and its second in succession, following a gripping 12-10 defeat of Cowra Magpies in 2018 decider.