The ARL Commission claims its decision to scrap the McIntyre finals system has been vindicated with the top four all securing preliminary finals berths for the first time in history.
Not since the NRL moved away from its long-held top five in 1995 have the leading four sides all progressed through to the penultimate weekend of the season.
That included 13 seasons of the McIntyre system, which was often criticised for its failure to give enough of an advantage to those sides that had been the most consistent throughout the regular season.
But with the ARL Commission choosing to adopt the AFL’s top-eight system – which splits the finalists into a top and bottom tier – the top four finally won the right to battle it out for the two grand final berths on offer.
“The rewards which the top four received in receiving home finals week one and two has been a success,” ARLC director of football operations Nathan McGuirk told AAP.
“It justifies their position on the table that they receive that benefit.
“Before we made the decision we consulted the clubs and the large majority of them were in support of moving away from the McIntyre system.
“The consensus was that the top four required a greater reward for their efforts during the year and that’s what this system has delivered.”
The NRL actually used the current system in 1995 and 1996 when only two of the top four progressed through to the final four, while in all but one season of the McIntyre system – used from 1999 to 2011 – three of the top four sides reached the preliminary final.
Should this year’s results continue, there could be an argument the system gives too much of an advantage to the top four.
That certainly appears to be the case in the AFL, where 50 of the 52 preliminary finalists since the current system was introduced in 2000 have been top four sides.
Australian Rules
Guest
Completely agree Haz...and well set out. I think it's been a dream finals draw for the NRL.
Haz
Guest
Their desire for media props probably trumps logical analysis right here. I think the current finals system is good, but the reality is that the ARLC got really really lucky with the way the draw worked out. Think about how many marketable plots they've had: * Week 1 finals in 4 different states/territories * Souths v. Melbourne, Bellamy vs Maguire, apprentice vs master * Manly vs Des Hasler, * an all-Queensland Derby * Manly v. Melbourne, replaying 07 and 08 grand finals, Donnybrookvale * Canterbury v. Souths, arguably the two most popular teams in Sydney And regardless of the outcome of the two games this weekend, you'll have a popular Sydney team in the finals, and an unpopular but successful team.
Chop
Guest
To be fair (and not wanting to start a code war) the NRL actually used it first, then the AFL adopted it and the NRL went for the version used last year. So the ARLC have gone back to the system they used originally when they implemented a top 8.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
During discussions on changes to the AFL season structure and the end of last season the only significant argument provided by the AFL for their current finals system was the 'tragedy' of Melbourne having missed out after a big win over the eventual winners.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd love it if going to seed the last round was 1v4 and 2v3
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd love it if going to seed the last round was 1v4 and 2v3
mushi
Roar Guru
"I also think that in regards to the 1st placed team, well they only have to beat two of the 4th, 5th and 8th placed team in the first half of their finals draw. They are kept well away from 2nd and 3rd, who could feasibly beat them generally speaking." Ah so you'd rather play the teams that could conceivably beat you in the final knock out round rather than when you get a second chance? Very noble, completely against your own self interest but noble
mushi
Roar Guru
But it’s a great system!
Adam Everitt
Guest
We use the same system in Super League and I love it.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
As to the story, I think Mcguirks words have significance added to them, far beyond his control. Thankyou for the article, but I think we are being harsh on the NRL here just a little. Rewarding teams for finishing higher, with concrete rewards. After all - what are you playing for?? - I also think that in regards to the 1st placed team, well they only have to beat two of the 4th, 5th and 8th placed team in the first half of their finals draw. They are kept well away from 2nd and 3rd, who could feasibly beat them generally speaking. The seeds work. I think it is the most ideal system for an 8 team finals. - As I describe below, the system is more epic than the McIntyre. This is the first year in a long while I have been salivating at the matchups, and they are fair and just to boot. - There is an advantage not mentioned on finishing first too - you don't have to play 2nd (if at all) until the week before the GF - who could feasibly whip you on any given day. ...... -...AND the fans can get the coveted 1 v 2 match in the week before the GF AND also see another awesome matchup on GF day. Was all this ever possible before? - And there is a downside to finishing second - you have to play 3rd, who could feasibly defeat you on any given day more easily than other teams. - If you flip that around, and you are the 3rd placed team, well you have to play 2nd. Basically there is no point in holding off playing more epic matches during the finals. Why play 1 v 8 - its not a great game at all. position 2 and 3 is like a tipping point. Its great to get a home final first up, and if you are the goods, you will win right away, but being 2nd or 3rd is not as good as first obviously, and this is reflected well in the finals. :: Also, do not forget that if you are 2nd or 3rd placed, and you lose that match, you only have to beat the 6th or 7th placed team in the next match....which is not so bad....before you go on to play 1st, 4th, 5th or 8th to make the grand final......and finishing 2nd or 3rd in this regard is NOT such a bad thing. ONLY first place has it easier, they will never have to play 2nd or 3rd at all until the end of the series.....so they get the better certainty DEAR GOD PEOPLE - THIS SYSTEM IS OBVIOUSLY THE BEST....and its more epic. - If you were being fair, and not having a whinge, you would agree this is the ideal top 8 system. - Home finals for top 4 in first round is right. - 2 Eliminations each week, how can anyone not get excited about this finals system? ____ It would seem some people are never happy. Personally, I looked at the flow chart on a big screen the other day. I head round to watch the footy with my dad, and the souths game was on. So mum was interested in the new system and we put the flow chart up on the screen. Well....much different to what has occured here, I looked closely at the system for the first time, and I was not only more than happy, I was excited. Guys, the matchups are what do it for me. 1st v 4th....2nd v 3rd beats 1 v 8 and 2 v 7 ANY DAY of the week. I was literally licking my lips. So, too is the progression of teams far better. I am happy with the system. Its more "epic". Good decision. ___ So should the ARLC be given a pat on the back. I dont think the nrl was breaking out the champagne. It is a vindication - because some people are never happy. Its just not the massive celebration some people may make it out to be, or that its undeserved in totality.
onside
Guest
The big difference in all Australian football codes when compared with other countries, is the scant recognition offered the 'minor' premier. There's nothing minor about finishing on top of the ladder. Finishing on top at the end of the season in Australia counts for nothing more than a finals birth.
Mark Roth
Guest
If the NRL really wanted to consider imbalanced home and away results, the only really fair way would be make the top 8 a straight seven game knockout series where every team is out after its first loss. That way a team only needs to overcome any unfairness in the fixture lists by just finishing 8th. I'm not saying that is a good idea. I'm just saying that if the tables are compromised by Origin, then that is what would need to be done overcome it.
Mark Roth
Guest
It could have been worse... If 1 or 2 (but not both) lost in the first weekend and every other game went to form.... Melbourne and Canterbury would be playing each other this weekend for the right to play in the Grand Final.
Australian Rules
Guest
"The Manly v Bulldogs game, if sudden death, would have attracted far more than 35,000." I really can't see what you're basing that on. The Manly v NQ game was sudden death and got 16k. Round 8 Cant v Manly was a Friday night game at ANZ and drew less than 25k. I'm not being snide turbo, but I think you're overestimating the number of people willing to go to the footy in Sydney. (No doubt this week will see big crowds but Prelims are different)
Horatio
Guest
The NRL finals system was supposed to balance out because the Origin/Test series meant some teams were at below strength for up to six /eight week out of 24 games so a big competition evener. I'm not sure which is best for this problem.....
turbodewd
Guest
and Souths abused that reward by barely showing up vs Melbourne in the first game at AAMI. THis is coz they knew they could lose and have a home final in Sydney. If you have so many games fans pick and choose about which ones to attend. The Manly v Bulldogs game, if sudden death, would have attracted far more than 35,000. And this affects the following week where Manly hosted N.Qld. Some fans will have attended the Bulldogs game but decided to miss the NQld game.
Renegade
Guest
I never had any issues with the McIntyre system....it rewarded the teams that finished top 4 with a home semi and that's enough of an advantage plus the higher you finished the weaker your opposition in week 1 and vice-versa. From there on if they wanted to maintain their advantage (home ground) they would have to keep winning. Which is how it should be come finals time. I'm not convinced that the new system is anything to feel vindicated about - not yet
mushi
Roar Guru
The irony of the ARLC's self indulgent love is where they highlight “It justifies their position on the table that they receive that benefit”. Correct me if I’m wrong but we now have 1st playing 3rd and 2nd playing 4th after every game going as per seeding. Now if ladder position is supposed to reflect capability, haven’t 1st and 3rd been disadvantaged by the predicable outcome of the draw. How does someone, who is not violently allergic to logic, look at this system and say this is a system which rewards where you finish. These comments to me show that McGuirk is either a liar or clueless when he lauds the reward aspects of a system that says coming second is better than first and third better than fourth.
Horatio
Guest
My view is the McIntyre was scrapped in the AFL was too many blowouts esp when team 8 had to travel interstate to play Team 1 (eg even in the new scheme North team 8 travelled to Perth and lost heavily to Team 5). However NRL prides itself on the games being more even because its your ball my ball situation and only the Warriors have to cross time zones so the the 8 beating 1 opens up the series...Friday night crowds (just too hard for most) have been poor but Channel Nine wont go saturday night and Sunday afternoon because they rely on friday night prime time... Have there been many Friday night NRL games at ANZ or Allianz to prove the point...
Australian Rules
Guest
oops...I was thrown by turbo's comments...I defended the Mac system and obviously meant to defend the current AFL system as adopted by the ARLC.