Are league trial games really worthwhile?
Roar Rookie By wallythefly, 4 Mar 2009 wallythefly is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Andrew Johns, Charity Shield, South Sydney
The question first hit me when watching the news about a month ago which gave all the trial results, including Penrith playing two trial games on the same weekend at different towns.
They split their team in two!
South Sydney used the ‘return to Redfern’ trial game in February as a big carrot for their membership drive.
However, there were plenty of complaints from fans who were traveling long distances for the ‘historic’ game, only to find out that Souths were basically fielding a second string side.
I noted that in the Andrew Johns autobiography he reckons there are too many games a season (regular season should be 20 games) and that trials should be scrapped completely.
Similarly, the Daily Telegraph’s Josh Massoud wrote an article about how the long and tough NRL season means players will be more likely to play overseas where they can play in a less physically gruelling competition. In this context, he calls for trial games to be scrapped.
On Saturday night I went to the Charity Shield where the game was pretty poor, but the fact that 25,000 people rocked up shows that it does have some meaning to the fans.
The fact that a lot of the games are played in regional areas, promoting the game to people who live hours away from the closest stadium is something the league should take a lot of pride in.
But my question remains: do teams really need trial games?
Would one game (like the Charity Shield) for each team be enough?
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The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
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- Andrew Johns, Charity Shield, South Sydney
March 4th 2009 @ 7:55am
Luke W said | March 4th 2009 @ 7:55am | Report comment
I don’t understand why the NRL doesn’t have a simple Cup competition before the start of a season like both the AFL and A-League. The addition of a trophy should help prevent people from claiming trial games shouldn’t be played, when in reality they are necessary for teams to be pushing towards full fitness and form going into a season. As a fan, I’d rather have my team play some trial matches and risk injuries but hit good form in round 3, then have my team not play trials and not hit good form until round 8.
March 4th 2009 @ 8:37am
Pippinu said | March 4th 2009 @ 8:37am | Report comment
I’m actually struggling to understand the question – or is the author having a laugh (in keeping with his cute name and av).
The alternative is rocking up in round 1 and playing a half-arsed game.
March 4th 2009 @ 8:58am
sheek said | March 4th 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
Assuming the question is genuine, trial games are less important for the results, than to act as a ‘shakedown’ for the coming season.
New players, &/or coach need to be integrated into the system, new tactics trialled, simply getting everyone working together, etc.
Ditto what Pippinu said.
March 4th 2009 @ 9:12am
Wallythefly said | March 4th 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Just putting the question out there, that’s all…
March 4th 2009 @ 9:50am
Brett McKay said | March 4th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
It’s a valid question Wally, but I think everyone accepts them now, and “necessary evil” seems to be the common description. Luke’s “hitting form by round 3″ comment probably sums up the requirement accurately.
And Luke, there did used to be a pre-season KO competition in the early 90s, the Tooheys Challenge, which was played in country towns with TV coverage, and pretty reasonable crowds (I can recall doing a trip from school to a double-header at Lavington Sportsground in Albury, with a crowd over 10K), but I think like the old 7s comp of the same period, costs increased, interest decreased (among players and supporters, probably ‘cos it was still cricket season!!), and it just died a natural death. It might have even been an early SL casualty..
March 4th 2009 @ 10:32am
Midfielder said | March 4th 2009 @ 10:32am | Report comment
The unknown question is how will the A-League go head to head against the AFL/ NRL.
My experience is that outside that protected zone from late September to mid February media exposure is almost non existent for the A-League. Essentially the A-League would get smashed if it ventured to far inside the AFL & NRL especially in the last rounds and finals when their competitions are at their highest.
The timing of when and how the A-League engage head to head with the NRL / AFL is a vexed question and so to have a open pre season would be to fail as it would get very little media and I think crowds .. leave it the way it is, it does create a fair bit of regional interest.
March 4th 2009 @ 3:52pm
oikee said | March 4th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
I just finished watching the Charity sheild match. Good game, the pre season helps the teams gel for the season and also lets coaches sort out a few problems. We need these games and if they do extend the WCC then we would need them even more. As for players going overseas because its easier? Their season is longer than ours. They have extra games for the Challenge cup. Its not getting any easier either side of the world.
March 4th 2009 @ 4:56pm
jaymz said | March 4th 2009 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
My preference is to have an international 7′s comp over a 2 or 3 week period, with all the NRL teams and about 16 international teams aswell. That way some it can be a boost for some of the international players who play in their native countries and the NRL teams can get their preseason trial with a little more meaning.
March 8th 2009 @ 6:51pm
Johnny Utah said | March 8th 2009 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
NO! Trials are just that trials…. Charity Sheild is the best example. Every year souths smash the saints because even though saints want to win it, they are using it as a trial, souths just play them off the park because they play it like a grand final. each year souths win it saints finish much higher then them on the ladder and it will be no differnet this year. Souths will lucky not to get the wooden spoon and saints will challenge for the title.. Trials have there place but people need to realise that they really have no bearing or indication on where your cub will be come September!!