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McIntyre system all a matter of perspective
Dan Wighton
Roar Guru
19th September, 2009
13
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Dan Wighton
Roar Guru
19th September, 2009
13

As the NRL finals series enters its third week, the McIntyre system knockers again line up to take shots at the top eight system.

As soon as the momentum into the finals started to build, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer, Wayne Bennett, Warren Ryan and countless others criticised the system as unfair and not representative.

But is the system really all that disadvantageous, and would things be different if we went back to the pre-McIntyre NRL system as the AFL have done?

Critics have problems with the McIntyre system on the basis it disadvantages the top teams because there is the chance of elimination for teams 3 and 4, because it is not representative of the evenness of the competition post salary cap and the home ground advantage is apportioned strangely.

But would it have actually made any difference to this year’s competition?

Elimination of teams 3 and 4:

While this is technically possible with the McIntyre system, this has never happened in the ten years the system has been in place in the NRL.

And while Manly may make a claim that they were unfairly eliminated despite their high ladder position, it is important to point out that they would have also been eliminated had they put in a similarly poor performance against the resurgent Parramatta.

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Disadvantaging the top teams:

In the first week of the finals, Manly and Newcastle were eliminated, and Canterbury and Melbourne won the right to a week off.

Considering the differing quality of the performances last week, we would have the same results with the other top 8 system. Parramatta would have accounted for Manly, Brisbane for Newcastle, Canterbury for the Titans and Melbourne for St George.

This week, therefore, the same teams would have the week off, and the same would be eliminated. The same matches would be taking place this weekend.

Surely the evenness of the competition since the salary cap is a good thing and must be encouraged – that’s why we have top 8 and not top 5.

Home ground advantage:

If the NRL reverts to the AFL system, teams 1, 2, 5 and 6 get a home final. Considering how well the Titans did all year, would it be fair that they travel to ANZ against the Bulldogs while the Broncos get a game at Suncorp against Newcastle?

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I don’t know if the AFL system is really all that fair – the Bulldogs beat the Lions to keep them out of the top four, but the Lions get to play at the Gabba in the first week while the Bulldogs and Pies get no such advantage. Of course, being Melbourne teams, this doesn’t have as much of an impact.

Besides less chance of elimination, the main advantage of the top four finish is a home final. It is unlikely Melbourne would have won by so much had they played north of the border. They finished one spot higher than Manly and should get this advantage. And in the second week, a game at Suncorp is a good reward for the Broncos (6th) beating the Titans (3rd). Why should the Dragons or the Titans host two semi-finals in a row despite losing to lower placed teams?

Also, in this semi national competition, someone needs to host a final. This is great Australia-wide for spectators and for revenues. The games can’t just all be played in Sydney because if there are no NSW teams, then no one will turn up.

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