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Will Chambers (Melb) scores the 1st try NRL - 2009 Preliminary Finals Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Saturday 26 September 2009 © Sport the library/Jeff Crow ©Action Photographics
In last year’s NRL finals series, Melbourne Storm advanced to the Grand Final without having to play either teams that finished first or second over the 26 competition rounds. The McIntyre system, in my humble opinion, is flawed.
Here I have provided an alternative for a five week finals system rather than the current four. The benefits of this system are as follows:
1. Maximisation of crowd numbers and television ratings.
2. Top four teams cannot be eliminated in the first week.
3. Top four teams given advantages throughout finals.
4. Top two teams given one weeks rest.
5. More evenly matched contests throughout the finals.
6. Higher chance of top two teams facing each other in the GF.
7. Quality finals matches from beginning to end.
Australian League Finals System (ALFS):
WEEK ONE
Friday night – 6 (at their home ground) play 7
Saturday night – 5 (at their home ground) play 8
Sunday daytime – 3 (at their home ground) play 4
Teams that finished 1 and 2 earn and deserve one week’s rest. The losing sides from Friday and Saturday’s games are eliminated. This leaves 6 teams in the race for the trophy.
WEEK TWO
Friday night – The loser from teams 3 and 4 game gains a home ground advantage and plays the lowest placed winning team from week one. The winner advances directly to the MAJOR FINAL (A). The losing team is eliminated.
Saturday night – The winner from teams 3 and 4 gains a home ground advantage and plays the highest placed winning team from week one. The winner advances directly into the MAJOR FINAL (B). The losing team receives a second chance and plays in the week three match.
Sunday daytime – Team 1 plays Team 2, at the nearest major venue to the Minor Premiers. The grounds may include Homebush, SFS, Suncorp, Telstra Dome, and/or Ericson. The winner advances directly into the MAJOR FINAL (A).
Five teams are still in the race. Three teams are now in the Major Finals.
WEEK THREE
Saturday night – The loser from teams 1 and 2 play (at their home ground) the loser of week two’s Saturday game. The winner advances to the MAJOR FINAL (B). Loser eliminated.
Teams that have already qualified for the Major Finals earn a week’s rest. Four teams remain in the race for the ultimate prize.
WEEK FOUR
Saturday night – MAJOR FINALS – (A) and (B) – double header at Homebush. Alternately two separate venues are utilised such as Suncorp, SFS, Homebush, or Telstra Dome. Winners of each match proceed to the GRAND FINAL.
WEEK FIVE
Saturday night – GRAND FINAL – Homebush.
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