After a disappointing display on Monday night, there have been calls to axe golden point extra time.
The idea of a draw, golden try and removing players from each team until a result is reached have all been tossed up, but we need to keep the current system.
The draw is worse than a result.
I know everyone is thinking: what if it was your team?
But the Parramatta Eels have lost more golden point games than they have won, and they are my side, so that proves it’s not a biased statement.
Granted both teams can share a point but it still leaves an empty feeling among the spectators.
Stripping players during extra time has always been discussed but it will never be done. Not because there is a valid reason but it’s just one of those things that’s a good idea on paper.
My opinion: keep the current system in place.
Monday night’s game was heavily criticised for the poor quality of the extra-time.
However, if we analyse the factors as to why Monday’s golden point game lacked excitement and entertainment, it will be obvious why the format should be kept.
First of all, which teams were playing?
The Sharks and the Roosters
Two of the worst attacking sides in the NRL.
The Sharks base their game around their defence and although their attack is improving, it is not as natural as the Warriors or Bulldogs.
The Roosters have a confidence problem, they have the worst completion rate in the NRL and struggle to enter the opposition twenty.
Although this is a big factor it is not the major factor.
The major factor was Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce.
The fixture was the Monday night after Origin where the two NSW halves were heavily scrutinised for their performances.
The confidence levels of both halves would have been shot, which is why they did not execute the field goals in the pressure stages of extra time.
So based on the attacking quality of the sides and their lack of confidence, it’s not the format that should pay but the standard of the two sides playing.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs, who are one of the NRL’s best attacking teams, have reaped the rewards of the golden point format.
The Rabbitohs have defeated both the Tigers and Dragons in golden point this year.
Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds both slotted match-winning field goals in those games to re-assert themselves as club heroes.
There are downsides to the format.
Golden point is referreed differently to the normal time standard.
But do you blame the men in pink?
If the referees were to penalise a side, it would put the attacking side thirty metres up the field or put them in range for a penalty goal.
These circumstances provide the sides with a great attacking opportunity, which can put a side in a match-winning position.
What about the old cliche that the players should decide the outcome of the game.
And then there’s the field-goal-athon debate. Golden point is a field-goal-athon and rightly so. Time is the biggest factor golden point. Players need to make rash decisions in five minutes with limited sets available.
Unless there is a mistake by the opposition inside their half, the game will be played between the two thirty metre lines.
Teams do not have the luxury of applying pressure as they do in normal time.
Naturally players would like to snap a field goal, it is quicker to set up than a try.
This has sparked the idea of a golden try but it would take longer to come by and as a result more draws would occur.
Of all the golden point games this season, Monday night’s game was the first draw.
Golden-point does have its faults but we cannot afford to crucify it after one disappointing display.
It is the best format for the code and although it may be disliked for the odd dour affair, it has the potential to create the most memorable moments.
Toon
Guest
Golden Point is a waste of time. If, after 10 extra minutes, no one scores then the result is a draw. If it is ok to have a draw after extra time why is it not acceptable to have a draw after 80 mins? Answer - because all the namby pambies, like some on these blogs, feel the need to go to bed at night knowing that the world is balanced and we have a winner and a loser. The thought of a tied contest fills them with fear and trepidation. How would you feel if your team missed out on the semis by one point? That same one point that was snatched off them in some meaningless pursuit to ensure the precious little ones can sleep soundly at night.
Alitis48
Guest
The golden point has made the extra time look like an AFL game. Let's get rid of it and instead have a "try shootout". This is how it could work: If game is a draw at the end of 80mins, teams flip a coin to select which team attacks first. Selected attacking team starts with a tap at the defending team's 10 metre line. The attacking team is allowed 6 tackles to score a try. If after six tackles team hasnt scored then it is a changeover where the defending team becomes the attacking team for 6 tackles. Ingoal tackles from kicks and loose balls constitute a changeover. So tackling a defending player who caught a kick or loose ball ingoal, means a changeover whereby teams swap and defending team has a turn attacking from the 10m line. Penalties for infringements will be for two points and always in front of the post. Winner is the team which first reaches a leading margin of 8 points ie 2 tries or one try plus two penalties difference. Anyone got suggestions that can improve on this concept.
Anakin
Guest
> A draw however would have left me with an empty ripped off feeling… Yet a loss to your team, who could arguably have been the better team for 79 (even 80) minutes of the game, is still a great experience?? Someone want to please exlain the logic to me here?
League_coach101
Roar Pro
Yeah like I said in the other post I can't seriously see the draws would be anything other than deeply unpopular with the audience. I went to two NRL games last week - spent upwads of a thousand dollars on train tickets, accommodation, food, game tickets etc... for myself and my family and I would have felt HUGELY ripped off if one of those games ended in a draw. As it was both the teams I was supoorting lost (Tigers and Eels) but it was still a great experience. A draw however would have left me with an empty ripped off feeling...
turbodewd
Guest
I have no problem with an extra 10min, I wouldnt bother with swapping halves after 5min.
Anakin
Guest
"Camry-driving cardigan wearers"??? hahaha. Give yourself an uppercut champ. hahaha. Extra footy - can be achieved with extra time, need not be sudden death; Tense - so is any close game; Makes field goals important - see previous point. As for refs - everyone knows they're a protected species .. drop them and the NRL would have none! :-p
turbodewd
Guest
Those against Golden Point are clearly Camry-driving cardigan wearers. Golden Point = extra footy *tick*. GP is tense *tick*. GP lets the rare field goal come into importance *tick*. GP only affects a handful of games per season. I dont any problem in giving fans more football to watch. Dont blame GP if the refs are scared to make a ruling. Refs must call it as they see it, if they dont then drop them for a week.
steve b
Roar Guru
Tony again good read mate ,,i have seen some intresting poll results run by different papers maybe the roar should set one up featuring the different slantes on this controversial subject.,,,i would love to see the outcome from the roarers....
Matt Moule
Guest
That is one of the most ridiculous Thing I have ever heard. Golden point is the worst thing to happen to the game since supper league. Drop goal after drop goal, and are u kidding the worst bit about it the players don't even get a chance to to take a proper field goal as before the ball is even played the defense is half way to charging it down and we all know the refs are not going to blow the dam whistle. The refs are killing golden point not players. When the players are of side just about all golden point then it's never going to work.
Anakin
Guest
Never liked it then, dont like it now. One doesnt need an extra time period to be edge of seat awaiting a result .. thats what happens in the last 5-10mins of a game when its tight and/or drawn. can anyone tell me they werent biting nails in the last 5 mins of SOO?? If teams are so adamant they need a result, then kick a field goal in regulation time like Qld did. If i was a coach and expected a tight tussle (or found my team in one), then I’d be saying field goal attempt for sure .. in the first half when no one expected it!! Games are sudden death already when the clock is winding down .. they dont need extra time to go silly and do things they wouldnt normally do.