NRL must introduce a pre-season tournament
Roar Guru
By M1tch, 29 Nov 2009 M1tch is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- bundy cup, NRL, NRL All Stars, pre-season cup, queensland cup
That’s right, it’s time the NRL brings back the pre-season Cup, in addition to incorporating teams from the Queensland Cup, Bundy Cup and an affiliated states team.
The upcoming All Stars game shows that the NRL wants to try new rules and innovations. Like our friends in the AFL, a pre-season tournament is the perfect place to try these.
They should also incorporate what the English have done for over 100 years in both rugby league and football, having a Challenge/FA Cup where lower division teams can have a crack at the big boys of the NRL.
Imagine the Redcliffe Dolphins facing the Brisbane Broncos or the Sydney Bulls taking on the Dragons, playing country teams in the bush to show we support bush footy, with it all culminating with a final at Suncorp Stadium.
A knock-out competition with 32 teams comprising of the 16 NRL teams, seven teams each from NSW/ACT and Queensland, an affiliated states team and a New Zealand team, with three knockout rounds before the season and two weekends before round three and six for the semi and grand finals.
Do I dare say it would be another revenue raiser for the NRL where proceeds could go into country and grassroots League?
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- Explore:
- bundy cup, NRL, NRL All Stars, pre-season cup, queensland cup
Firestarter Bob said | November 29th 2009 @ 6:56am | Report comment
How good do you think the non NRL teams will be in February? No fitness and no ballwork. Even if they play four quarters they will get flogged by a 100 points.
It’s a nice idea but can’t work as a pre season cup.
Pippinu said | November 29th 2009 @ 7:10am | Report comment
Agreed – the modern NRL is light years ahead of the next levels of competition (as is the AFL) – both game do not allow for mere mortals to challenge teams at the elite levels – they are very different games to soccer where that’s still a possibility (and even then, it’s becoming harder in the modern age as the top teams are in a class of their own).
It’s a bit like NZ playing Japan or Canada in rugby, 90+ point margins are a given.
Springs said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
If the non NRL teams prepare for the pre-season comp they will be fitter. But I cannot imagine February games in QLD, especially at the QLD Cup grounds. It might work as a Challenge Cup-style knockout, with only the best lower grade teams playing the NRL sides, but even then I don’t think QLD cup and NSW Cup are as close to the NRL as the Co-Operative Championships are to the ESL. The Pre-season Cup could work with just the NRL sides, replacing the trials, all we have now is the Charity Shield.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
a few of the qld cup teams would have beaten the Sharks and Roosters this season
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Hey Mitch, i dont know if you heard the news, the NRL and ARL have now got that Commission we all wanted.
So any new ideas of how to grow the game will be coming from them, at last. Time to get the bubbly out buddy. Gallop will run the NRL, and Colin Love has 2 years with a 8, man and woman board, so any decisions will not be made by Colin Love, although he did the best he could under the ARL, i think his time is nearly up, looks like he is just going to be a steady influience on the board.
Great news. The NSW and Qld comps hopefully will be run under this structure, if they dont come on board, they will be left to fend on their own. So it all looks good for grass roots, and all clubs will own the game. Ripper, now we can expand, the 1st 2 teams look like being Ipswich and Bears, safety option, we need areas that dont make a losss, and cannot collaspe.
So any thought of Perth is not going to happen, maybe 5-10 years when they really have a good chance of standing on their own 2 feet. Cheers mate.
Who said i talk garbage. Its coming brother.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Colin Love is in charge..I doubt anhything will change
Paul J said | November 29th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
INDEPENDENT COMMISSION !!!!!!! This is a day league fans will never forget..
Here’s what they have said on the Super Footy web site…..
END of an era … The 2009 premiership winners the Melbourne Storm will be the last team to win under rugby league’s old structure.
RUGBY league is about to be handed back to the people with a long-awaited independent commission just weeks away from becoming a reality. In the most stunning administration shake-up since Super League, News Ltd (publisher of The Sunday Mail) and the Australian Rugby League are finalising an agreement that will mean independence day arrives before the March kick-off to the 2010 season.
“It could even be all sorted by Christmas – if not before the start of next season,” said a prominent official.
The Sunday Mail has learnt a series of high-powered meetings involving key stakeholders has resolved the major sticking points and lawyers acting for both parties are now nutting out the finer details of the agreement.
Among the key architects of the proposal are Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle and Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis.
The key to any agreement has been the future of the Melbourne Storm and the reluctance of the Queensland Rugby League and the NSW Rugby League to come on board.
As part of establishing the commission:
Premiers Melbourne Storm are likely to be sold to a consortium of investors for just $1 in a paperwork transaction that allows News Ltd to leave the game, but its involvement in the Brisbane Broncos as majority shareholder would remain unchanged at this stage.
David Gallop will be put on a three to five-year contract to remain as CEO.
ARL supremo Colin Love will be the inaugural chairman for two years.
The 16 NRL clubs will have an equal share in all profits from the game after grants are paid to the respective leagues to look after the grass roots.
Two new clubs will be added by 2013 – most likely from Queensland and the Central Coast of NSW.
The expansion plans are being driven by a desire to make the most of television rights agreements, with the current deals with Channel Nine and Fox Sports up for renewal in 2012.
With a greater geographical presence adding to the bargaining power of rugby league’s huge ratings around the country, a new broadcast deal could be worth in excess of $1 billion.
In a first, rugby league plans to split its major products – offering the State of Origin and finals as separate products to regular NRL matches.
If another team does join the Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL from 2013, it will be the first time four Queensland teams have played in the same league since 1996.
The South Queensland Crushers, based at Suncorp Stadium, were dissolved at the close of the Super League war at the end of 1997.
A Rockhampton-based consortium has already been working hard to establish a franchise but
Gallop has expressed an interest in a franchise in the Ipswich-Logan corridor.
Springs said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Well good. The only annoying thing in there is he quotes ‘a prominent official’. Tell us who he is damn it!
Paul J said | November 29th 2009 @ 10:45am | Report comment
Sorry guys, i got a bit off subject by the independent commission announcment. Thanks for the tip oikee.
Mitch
I’d love to see a FA cup style pre season but unlike soccer rugby league can be quite brutal and the NRL would not want their stars injured playing against Qld cup & NSW cup teams.
Also RL is a higher scoring game than soccer and as Pip said there would be the danger of some big blow out score lines.
I’d like to see how Redcliffe would go against the NRL teams though.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Yes, i wont get to excited either. One thing that will happen is that the NRL will be a stronger comp and like AFL, can then attrack interest from non NRL areas. All i have to further add is this, with time the NRL will grow into other states, we dont need to rush them, this will happen with natarul progression. What we have to realise is that Melbounre , after 10 years is still struggling finacially, so no more talk about Perth for now, if they were in it would cost the NRL at least 10 million a year to prop them up. So for now, we need to keep concentrating on Grass-roots over their, Maybe if they ever get a stadium built like the new Melbourne stadium, then we can consider a move their. Cheers.
Same applies to Qld, no good adding teams if they have not got a stadium. The government would have to come on-board, and i can only surgest that Ipswich is the place where they would be willing to do such. Ipswich cannot play out of Suncorp, it would be a disaster having their fans travel into Brisbane for every game. If Central Queensland can get some serious money to build a new stadium, they could be the ones who succeed, so it all comes down to government lobbying. Cheers.
Corey said | December 1st 2009 @ 12:31am | Report comment
I am from Ipswich, in fact the suburb I live in is the proposed site for the team- but I must say that Ipswich people are passionate about their league and has one of the highest population percentage of RL players out of any city in SEQ, but I think it would be better for the NRL and RL to put a team in Central Queensland, as it is easier for Ipswich fans to cheer on the Broncos and catch a train for less than an hour to the game than Central Queensland to cheer on any team. I would love to see a club achieve a year of sell-out crowds (especially the Broncos or Bulldogs with their large stadiums) as this would do wonders for the game in Australia and the world. This would make the Television deals more lucrative- as would a team in Perth, but I do agree about the “propping up” problem, although Perth has a better Rugby League base than Melbourne does. Its great to see a large response though so early for Rugby League.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Gret news, only the other day i was thinking if the NRL could acheive a 700 million t/v deal, that would leave about 100 million for a war chest. But if they acheive a 1 billion dollar deal, it would be like having around 400 million to do what you want, as long as we have no expansion clubs who need to be propped up.
Great news all round, for Grass-roots it will be a bonanza. They might be able to now sink some good money into Aderlaide and Perth grass-roots, and even NZ. Not to mention what this could mean for the island nations, all should at least benifit from some real growth for once. Yipee. Way to go. And at least we dont have to worry about what is not happening with rugby league growth. Man, what a fantastic outcome this is for the game. Bring on the 4 nations.
Rugby league fans have now got what we waited for, our game back in the hands of the people, and the Bears are back, back in a big way. That’s another reason to celebrate. Where’s Col the bear.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
I think that the NRL if they do get a good TV deal, build a warchest for the bad times that clubs are goiing to have from time to time. Especially required if we do expand to areas like Perth, where we can’t afford to muck it up again, and will need to make sure money is there if the club requires it (though that said, the club should have all the boxes ticked, as it really should be self sufficient).
A warchest may allow a AFL Auskick type program, using touch rugby league, or oztag (preferred) to get boys and girls involved at a school level (which should be able to introduce all the skills, without the injuries). This then allows those involved to understand the rules of the game, and hopefully allows for a larger supporter base in the future, as well as some of these people moving on to play the full contact version.
I just hope we can get this up and running, and see News Ltd off well before the next TV Deal. WIll be great if a bidding war does start (I am sure Kerry Stokes wants some revenue over what Packer did last time).
Col the Bear said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
What a differance a week makes !! we’ve still got a bit of work to do.. but yes the CCBears are looking good..
Could someone explain to me now why the CRL are still persisting with the name CC Crusaders for the juniors on the CC in conjunction with the Knights..when the CC residents voted fully in support of the Juniors being known as the CC Cubs..newcastle can finance their own NSW Cup side.. and leave the CC alone ..and stop trying to hinder the CCBears getting up.
The NSDRLFC, will deliver the Central Coast and the North Shore, their own team… and 101 years of tradition will live on…in the Red and Black…
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Col, new you would be around, mate you must be estatic. Just want your veiw on which other team should enter along with your club. ? Now giving that i mentioned no team should enter without stadium, who would you surgest get the nod, and why. ?
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
Hopefully a indepedant commision can start planning for the games future, first thing they should be doing is requesting official expressions of interest for expansion. We have plenty of areas who want to join, but currently it’s done in a very ad hoc manner. Give the new areas a timetable for when they will need to be ready (2012/3 staggered entry to allow each team to recruit without creating a huge bidding war), as well as being able to use these new teams to deliver a better TV contract (especially if we can get another team in Perth).
Might even be able to plan for the introduction of new teams in say 2016-17 by seeing the bids that don’t make the grade this time around, push harder for the next time bids come up (ie PNG, 2nd NZ?)
macavity said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:26am | Report comment
what is the problem with the CRL wanting to give CC kids a path to the NRL? The Bears don’t base their teams there.
if the CC wants to show it can handle an NRL team (which in spite of what the die hard bears fans think, is no where near a given), it could start by supporting the Crusaders.
Tom Alexander. said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
And to actually call it an independant commission is a sick joke especially if Gallop (News Limited) is to be in charge for another 3 years with Colin Love (of all people) an ARL man, in charge for 2. Just when we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, they pull this one on us. What a bloody disaster this would be for our game. 1 step forward 2 steps back. A sick joke on all of us. Our game needs to wipe the slate clean starting with all the dinosaurs who have had, in some cases, over 25 years in administration to get things right but couldn’t be bothered (more interested in the free trips/junkets). Our game can’t afford anymore smoke and mirrors.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
I understand why they did this, you can’t just break off with what we have, consider this a transition. Colin Love is just being handed his retirement money, and I am sure that it will be smart business men that actually make the decisions on where the game is going.
As for Gallop, I think without News Ltd as his paymaster, he could probably be a lot better leader.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Tom, i know you have a downer on Colin Love, believe me, he has the hardest job in the bussiness, trying to prop up grow in the country, he controls all the Junior Kangaroo teams, along with the inter-States compititions. He is a man of knowleadge about the game and his knowleadge will be used for possibly 2 years while they get settled. The last thing we want is for someone to take control, not have a clue what they are doing, and tottally, mess the whole thing up.
Yes Colin is a dinosaur, but he at least knows the game, he is probably only looking at 2 years before he retires. So it will be 2 years well spent. And worth every penny in what he has to offer, even though nobody likes him. Cheers mate. Just be happy, we have people on the board with lots of Grunt, nothing will go wrong.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
Well at least we have learnt one thing, any bid will only be looked at if the area can , or does have a decent stadium. This is one criteria that Super league is finding out, and has clubs struggling to make ends meet.
So i expect a host of expansion areas to now be heard come toomoorow. But all should be rejected unless they have a stadium in place or have plans for 1.
Yes dogs of war, Oztag and Kids to Kangaroos , along with a weight devision would be top piority. Things are looking good.
Just one other thing, i have done a rough calculation, and with the surplus going directly to clubs, they could afford to lift the salary cap to at least 6.5 million over the next 3 years. This would only take up around 50 million to afford, but would bring instant success to holding our stars.
Something we have not been able to do. We never want to poach any players, that just defeats the purpose of what rugby league stands for, we need to attrack our own players through the grass-roots system, and also allow for some overseas signings. All is good.
Kids to Kangaroos should be promoted at every school in the country. And have our star players visit every school to help promote this concept, i love this program, i am sure kids would love it also.
Woody Warambel said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
No No No – the season is long enough already.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
they already play 3-4 pre season games, lets make them worth something
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Not all teams do (Bulldogs only ever play 2). And most do with extended squads of up to 30 players so a large rotation occurs (especially when competition for places is happening). Not to mention those who play more than 2, are usually playign against bush league teams (and sometimes more than one in the same game, typically west tigers do something like this).
AFL’s pre season cup is a bit of a joke, and any that the NRL introduced would be treated the same by over half the clubs.
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
The trails are nothing now, i dont mind if reserve players get a go, but Im sure a few clubs wouldnt mind a winning prize of 100k
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Being old enough to remember things like the Pansonic Cup, and the Toohey’s New pre-season cup, the only type that would still be good to revisit is the Pansonic Cup style mid week comp. THe Pre season cups where usually thrown in the first round by clubs that just put all their juniors and reserve players in, no different to how the Swans treat the current pre season cup the AFL has.
I don’t see the benefits as it just makes a long season even longer. Something that might be better is to have a 7′s/9′s comp to kick off the season, a great way to kick off the new season, with an event like that being able to be sold to the highest bidder (and pretty much doing the same thing as you are suggesting).
M1tch said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Remember how NRL trailed 11 per side in under 20′s?
This is what this could be, something different to try ‘crazy’ ideas and see what happens.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
U20′s are perfect for that. Better than a pre season trial that most clubs only use for fitness and to knock the rust off combinations. A lot of the best players only play between 40-60mins in these games as their is no point risking injury before the comp has even started.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Now your talking, yes a 9′s game would be good, and have all teams enter. Knockout comp.
Every team in OZ, even perth and aderlaide. Excellent idea.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
Oikee if you were to have a 9′s style comp, you would have regional comps first, where the winners get to play the big boys of the NRL in a 2 day comp. Would generate a lot of interest for all clubs in Australia, with maybe the best 2 NSW clubs (non-NRL affliated) being admitted, and the same for QLD clubs. Should even be opportunities for clubs in VIC etc to enter those regional comps to have a chance of being their, I am sure this would be a great promotion for the game.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Dogs of War, spot on, and beleive me, its going to happen. I have just read a report about Nines and tag rugby league becoming very popular, not only here, but around other countries. And i like your option, its the fairest. Both, mens and Womens.. Maybe even a junior comp as well. Under 13′s.
Dogs Of War said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
I should comment on the subject. No to a pre season cup. Would much prefer the State of Origin weekends to be standalone fixtures, with Internationals between Pacific Island nations occurring on the same weekend, and maybe a North Island vs South Island fixture for NZ players. This should satisfy the TV demands of the game, being able to fill up the TV schedule with quality fixtures. This would also really help the International game develop the secondary countries into formidable outfits, and hopefully within a decade see a culture of the Islander players wanting to represent PNG, Fiji and the like over nominating for Australia.
oikee said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
Hey Dogs, if you go and have alook at international rugby league site, you would find that Samoa has a tour next year already planned. And as for Origin, their is no way it will be stand alone , its a product that is growing where it is, everyone loves it and we dont want to push the season around anymore, other wise we will be playing world cup and 4 nations in the middle of summer.
The Challenge cup in the UK is struggling to keep interest until the play-offs, so a knockout comp would be much the same, we all need a break at the end of the year. The indigernous game is looking like being a permanent fixture, maybe we could also add a Tonga Samoa, Cook,island and Solomon islands clash to this each year. See how this goes 1st.