The real problem though is the gameplay isn’t playing the way it should.
Defense in the game is a big problem from the warping tackles to the sliding defense not working as it should which is my biggest gripe with the game. The whole gameplay loop needs redoing so it plays more like real life footy.
First thing I’d do is and I’ve mentioned this already is use the L2 controlled defense to be compressed defense. Holding the button sucks players in either side of the selected player and opens gaps out wide. The longer you hold the more players slide in. Holding L2 and moving the left stick should not only compress your defense but be able to move your selected player around much like controlled movement works right now so you have not only controlled movement but compress as well.
Speed up the passing and the play the ball speed and have players run onto passes flatter at speed. This will allow better hole running out wide and allow for more defensive scramble and better chances to take advantage of overlaps while the defense has less time to reset.
Compress control is the key to opening up the defensive line much like real life.
The next thing is fatigue, fatigue should create slower players over time of game and when sliding on defense should make the defensive line open up gaps to take advantage of or noticeably slow tired players less effective at tackling is easier to line break.
The negative to compress is opening the outsides but the positives should be stopping right stick moves so there’s a good reason to use it for solid defense in the middle but at risk of wider attack.
Dpad sliding should be hold Left or Right to slide left or right, the longer held the more your defense slides left or right. This would create even more uncertainty over your defensive guesses and gaps created as to which side will be attacked so compress can drag more players from your weak side opening up overlaps for the centres and wingers.
It’s all about creating that flow you see in the real game where you battle up the middle, drag defenders in then quickly whip the ball out wide from a quick play the ball as the defense is resetting creating the need to use the slow down button to add risk of six again/penalty.
Its just finding that balance between play the ball speed, passing speed which should be faster and then the right compress speed, sliding defense speed and recovery speed for line reset.
I reckon these could be slider options so you can create the balance of play you want like maybe the AI could have a faster compress but a slower reset or slide so a lower difficulty could allow wingers and centres to be a bit more dominant out wide either side of the ruck as an example.
) Put it on triangle Big Ant!