Ancient Observer, I have to agree. There are equally fatigueing longhaul rosters. The focus here has been on the shorthaul side, but longhaul, rostered poorly, can be tiring too for other reasons (wx, route, time zones, poor ATC, etc) An equally poisonous mix is long/shorthaul. Getting back from an allnighter from the Far East with a 16 hour break before a night turn can be murder too. Body clock, monsoon weather and many other operational issues can hurt too.
The CAA may have good restrictions, but the airlines need to stop using them as targets. In 21 years of flying various aircraft, I can honestly say that the pace has picked up. I used to wonder about what I would do upon retirement; now I wonder if I will make it that far. Something has to give.