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I’ve always been against golden point in rugby league – two teams who each deserve one point for their efforts, battling it out in the lottery of a field-goal shoot-out.
Wayne Bennett’s comments in the post-grand final press conference were nothing new. Bennett has been critical of golden point since its inception in the 2003 NRL season.
Although the finale of last Sunday’s grand final was intense, dramatic, emotional and action-packed, Johnathan Thurston’s conversion going through would’ve provided the better conclusion.
The extra-time field goal gave me the feeling of both joy for the Cowboys on their maiden title, but it also somewhat killed my buzz.
I’m in favour of 20 minutes of extra-time, with 10 minutes each way, and both teams able to score points throughout extra-time.
The 1989 NSWRL grand final between Canberra and Balmain featured this format, after the scores were locked at 14-14, with Canberra winning 19-14 after extra-time.
The 1989 decider is still considered one of the best of all-time.
If the scores are looked after 80 minutes in the home-and-away season, simply leave the game as a draw; that was how it was done from 1908 to 2002.
In finals, the 20 minutes of extra-time would come into play.
If the scores are still level after 20 minutes of extra-time, we can’t have a replay; we can’t expect players to turn up three days later in a already crowded schedule.
I’d love to see the format used in rugby – a penalty shoot-out, where five players take kicks at goal from the centre of the 22-metre line, going to sudden death if the scores are tied after the five shots.
Think kicking right in front, from 20 or 30 out, is easy? Think again! The pressure the players are under makes the format even more interesting.
It’s a format where Thurston, James Maloney, Jamie Soward or Jarrod Croker would be put to the test against the likes of Sam Thaiday, Paul Gallen, James Graham or George Rose.
Expected sharp-shooters may crack under pressure, while the big forwards who can’t kick for grapes could star.
That’s my resolution to golden point and extra-time.
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