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The Roar

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My problems with the NRL and how to fix them

15th August, 2016
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(NRL.com)
Roar Pro
15th August, 2016
83
1590 Reads

I am a lifelong rugby league fan (34 years) and I love the game, but enough is enough. There are some glaring problems in the game that need to be addressed.

I know this already coming across as negative but last night’s game was the final straw for me as fan.

Problem 1 – Bunker
When the bunker was first introduced it seemed like a great success and seemed to be a lot quicker and getting good results. However now we seem to be taking minutes for each decision looking at each frame individually and looking at all possible ways to disallow a try.

Solution
Can we make a it a rule that the bunker is only to look at what the on-field ref has advised them to look at? For example a video referral for a contested bomb play will go back look at the offside first then the contact then a possible knock on then finally through to grounding, when the referee only asked to have a look at the contact.

If that won’t change why can’t the three people in the bunker be looking different things at the same time making the process quicker

Problem 2 – Referees
I believe there is too much of a reliance on the video ref. In some cases you can clearly see the referee is right on the play and would have the best view in the world of what has just gone on.

Solution 2
A bit of tough one but I believe that they don’t have the confidence to make a call and nor do I blame them. Why make a wrong call that could cost you your job when you can just refer it and leave it to the bunker to get wrong.

Maybe they can reward the referee who makes the most right calls without the bunker, promoted in the ranking.

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Problem 3 – Golden point
What is the point of playing an extra time when the rule book gets put on the backburner? Last night both sides were offside and both were denied opportunities to have a chance at a field goal

Solution 3
Either get rid of it completely or enforce the rules as they are enforced during normal time. If a team is offside, penalise them. If the markers go early, penalise them. My other solution would make every game worth three points.

Win after 80 minutes, get three points. Draw after 80minutes, both teams get a point each before playing golden point for a ‘golden point’.

Problem 4 – Trainers
If you look at game closely you will notice a trainer on for the attacking team 100 per cent of the team. But why? they are there yelling instructions at players. Surely those instructions could wait until a try is scored.

Solution 4
Trainers only allowed on when there is an injury, try is scored or a penalty goal attempt is taking place, surely that has to be enough

Problem 5 – Crowds
The NRL has to make a stance to get crowds back, its a bad look on TV and players will play better with bigger crowd and better atmosphere.

Solution 5
Apart from pricing, I believe the NRL has to make a stance in the next TV rights and get rid of Monday night and Thursday night football.

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Games should be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As for the marketing, there needs to be a stop in the reliance on social media to promote games.

Every team should four massive billboards on main roads clearly telling fans when the next game is on.

This is old fashioned but simple marketing works. A lot of people don’t have social media and if they do the ad will come up on feed and people will just scroll straight past it.

Marketing teams are letting each club down. As for replacing Thursday and Monday night games, surely Fox and Channel Nine could come up with rugby league shows that would keep ratings up and get fans excited to attend games.

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