The golden point debate continues
Roar Rookie Every NRL game that goes beyond the 80 minute mark sparks an inquiry into how to fix the “Golden Point” concept.
This week has been no different, after Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was on the receiving end of a golden point loss at the hands of Parramatta. The game was decided by a field goal with a mere 34 seconds remaining.
Any league fan with a vested interest in changing the concept must understand that the current setup provides tremendous entertainment, which cannot be compromised in the slightest if the NRL were to change the procedure.
Entertainment is not the only priority, though, as the game must be decided in a fair fashion.
The main reason for the debate is the increasing amount of games which are decided by a field-goal. 13 of the past 14 games which went into golden point extra time have been decided by the drop-punt. These golden point games (which are more like a field-goal shootout nowadays), are not doing the job of determining a deserved winner as this statistic shows.
Many theories have been discussed in a bid to improve this concept. The easiest option to implement would be to revert back to an era where there was no extra time period. If teams are tied at 80 minutes, the result stands as a draw. However in this day and age where the sport is broadcast to a massive and demanding audience, it seems that the extra time is necessary.
Other somewhat popular proposals include a “golden try” method, in which the field-goal and penalty goal are rendered pointless and a try is the only play which can win the game.
A lesser-known theory, which combines entertainment with legitimacy, also incorporates the importance of not just kicking a field goal, but also scoring a try. It is effectively a golden try concept, but a field goal will be enough to win the game at the conclusion of the 10 minutes of extra time.
This concept provides more security that the extra time period will not turn into a field goal shootout, and the scoring of a try demonstrates a teams dominance rather more than a mere field goal.
In recent times, the spectacle of golden point has significantly lowered due it’s increasingly predictable nature. The ARLC should look to change this part of the game for the 2013 season.
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The Crowd Says (5) | Page 1 of Comments
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June 30th 2012 @ 3:12am
Johnno said | June 30th 2012 @ 3:12am | Report comment
I actually love draws, they create more frustration, and heartbreak, and interesting match ups and more headaches for coaches each week, and unpredictability. If every game you know you may not get maximum points but in-between points it opens up more possibilities.
I would maybe bring in bonus points like an extra point if you score 5 tries or score 30 points. Will that make league touch footy im not sure.
June 30th 2012 @ 9:15am
Ryan said | June 30th 2012 @ 9:15am | Report comment
i like the “lesser known theory” as you referred to it. This creates a genuine 10 minutes of extra time which leaves open all 3 possible result outcomes. Nothing is more frustrating than watching your team lose to a shaky field goal after a sloppy knock on in the play the ball – referees too scared to blow the whistle.
June 30th 2012 @ 9:18am
rselvage7 said | June 30th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
I love extra time, draws are anti-climactic and do not reward the fans for 80 mins of hard fought cheering. We need a result.
I do like the theorem you have proposed however, a genuine 10 mins extra time with a golden try concept; play on once a field goal has been kicked.
June 30th 2012 @ 10:55am
turbodewd said | June 30th 2012 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Golden point rocks. You get more football and the quality is edge-of-your-seat. Its about the only time FGs are important. GP games are rare, a bit like gold nuggets!
Golden point forever!
Draws are for people who drive camrys!
July 1st 2012 @ 10:39pm
Chris Wright said | July 1st 2012 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
Love golden point. And I am a Dragons man who has seen his team lose twice for one golden point win this year (1-8 all time I think). I used to hate draws. There was a real lack of excitement from both sets of fans as they left the ground back then. It was so anti-climatic and often seemed like the match was a waste of time.