Stuck in a state of indifference about Origin
I really need to get something off my chest. It's been bothering me for years and I feel like now is the right time…
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22. Sports nut from Brisbane. Can't play so I write: Twiiter: @bethknewman
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I really need to get something off my chest. It's been bothering me for years and I feel like now is the right time…
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The bonus point system has caused a great deal of frustration among rugby fans, because winning becomes less important. When it comes to ladders, the simpler the better. Getting the most wins on the board should be good enough to determine ladder spots.
AFL ladder: Collingwood ‘lucky’ to have double-chance says study
Wallabies definitely look uncomfortable playing under Deans. He seems to be trying to get them to play a type of rugby that contradicts with their strengths ( thus the abundance of Waratahs in the side).
But dropping him now is not going to make it any easier for the Wallabies. It would be better for the ARU to wait until after the Rugby Championship before changing coaches. No coach is going to be able to change things in a matter of weeks. What Australian rugby needs is a well-thought out decision that aims for long-term change, not quick-fixes.
CAMPO: Deans is just not the right fit for the Wallabies
Billo boy, I think this idea is definitely reasonable, particularly in the AFL, with expansion teams and in a year where percentage will really shape the finals sides.
Though, I don’t necessarily think that a head-to-head decision is that much fairer. If two teams play in the State of Origin hangover period and that is the only time that they play, then that a result is not necessarily indicative of their whole season performance.
Head-to-head playoffs are just as susceptible to being skewed and unfair as the percentage/ for and against is, especially if teams have only played each other once.
NRL and AFL top eight systems are unfair
By splitting teams into these sections you could possibly have bigger blockbuster games to finish a season (assuming that teams are in similar positions in a year’s time, which is unlikely) but you’ll also have more games that are entirely irrelevant, if all the bottom teams are playing each other.
Also the possibility that a team from the bottom six moves into finals contention in the next season and they blitz the final month of the season and finish higher than they probably would have otherwise.
Solution for a fairer AFL draw
Agree they need to be accountable but only in the right situations. Not everything is the coach’s fault and it’s worth looking beyond just one person to identify the real issues sometimes.
We are far too quick to call for a coach’s head – patience is required in a lot of situations. The lack of substance to many of hear arguments about coaches is proven by the fact that one win is enough to save their job – if they were in that much trouble and if it is truly the coach’s fault then one game should not change that.
Cut AFL coaches some slack
Focus on grassroots first. The ARU should work at establishing a stronger club competition on the coast and building talent base ad support from there. That should come before any attempt
to establish a super rugby side.
Introducing a new team on the Gold Coast may not hurt the Reds in terms of talent, but spectators are already spread thin in QLD and rugby followers seem to be some of the most fickle. Teams that would be hurt most in terms of attracting players are sides like Western Force, who already struggle to lure players and would be decimated by the introduction of yet another east coast side.
A Gold Coast Super Rugby team?
I don’t see Malthouse going to the Coast. If any experienced coach were to head there, it would be Paul Roos. Roos seemed to actually be interested in coaching a developing side and has coached in a non-AFL region before. I reckon Malthouse loves the big moments too much, and he wouldn’t get many of those with the Suns.
Is Malthouse headed north to the Gold Coast?
Completely disagree – thumpings do not help rivalries. While the GWS players may want to prove Sydney’s arrogance wrong, this is the same with every other team they play.
A history of close, high-quality matches brings people to the games and nailbiting results stick with fans the longest.
A good thumping helps GWS vs Swans derby
Funny article. But I’m pretty sure most Queenslanders won’t lose too much sleep in a series loss, given the absence of Billy Slater and the comfort of having the past six wins.
Why Blues fans should feel sorry for Queenslanders
What do you do with players born in QLD or NSW with foreign heritage then? They will still have a choice – they should be allowed to play both.
State of Origin: Is dual eligibility the answer?
I think simultaneous matches are good for the final week in the regular season – you only need to look to last year’s EPL to see how exciting that can make things.
However, when there are only two or four games on a weekend like in the finals, I, somewhat selfishly, disagree. As a footy fan, I want the chance to be able to watch as many finals games live as possible. I don’t want to have to flick between games. The ANZ issue and the scheduling of the rugby Test at Subi last weekend has amplified a problem which is not really that big of a deal.
Realistically (taking out TV broadcasters’ interests), they should have a Friday night and Saturday afternoon matches where there are only two games on a weekend – that gives travel time for teams and less than 24 hours’ difference with recovery time.
Simultaneous games the answer to AFL fixturing issue