Optimal Planning Solutions, the company behind NFL and major world football leagues in France, Scotland and USA assumed responsibility for completing the 2013 NRL draw, which had to accommodate representative fixtures, broadcast demands and club requests.
‘Complex’ would be the best word used to describe the task at hand.
Rick Stone (not the Knights assistant coach) and Kirk Pinneo, who work for Optimal Planning Solutions, flew from Canada to Sydney to meet with the NRL over the organisation of the NRL schedule.
“The biggest change is the scheduling, it is a completely different approach to the draw this year,” Stone explained to NRL.com.
“No other sport puts such a priority on club requests.
“Instead of organizing the season draw by round, the NRL has had to organize 20 rounds into complete timeslots, which is a much more involved process consisting of a wide range of variables.”
With 192 individual events to schedule across venues that involve multiple hirers, while trying to match requests of the 16 clubs, it is an enormous logistical exercise.
With the NRL schedule now finalised for the first 20 rounds, assessing the positives and negatives by which NRL fans, clubs and corporate sponsors will feel vindicated or betrayed is the main agenda.
Friday night rugby league free-to-air (FTA)
For season 2012, our top eight consisted of Bulldogs, Storm, Rabbitohs, Manly, Cowboys, Sharks, Raiders and Broncos. When a new NRL season occurs, favourites are always enlisted but continuance in form from seasons prior is not always guaranteed nor is it always noticed from afar.
Sharks, Raiders, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs all had amazing seasons in which they shook up the top eight, with only four teams from the 2011 finals series remaining.
From a fanatical and corporate sponsorship point of view, Friday night rugby league is deemed the most important aspect to match scheduling. FTA provides increased exposure and free advertising for the teams playing, which is invaluable to the long term success of a club.
Teams may request specific times to play as fans may also deem a Saturday night time slot or Sunday evening more appealing to ensuring a healthy attendance, therefore some teams may play less than others on Friday nights.
In 2012, Brisbane Broncos were afforded 18 of a possible 24 Friday night live matches. To make matters even better, the first eight scheduled matches were on Friday nights, which also ensured stability and routine.
Most fans would not appreciate another display of this unjust and unfair match scheduling as teams like Cowboys, Sharks and Raiders, who in the 2012 season received a total of eight Friday night matches between them, finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively, all higher than the eighth placed Broncos for 2012.
Although not as heavily weighted with the outcome of 18 of a possible 24 matches for the Broncos for 2013, a total of 11 Friday night matches out of 20 have been scheduled, with six rounds still left for scheduling.
What has been a slight improvement is the lack of routine the Broncos were afforded, as only a maximum of three Friday night games in a row will be played by Broncos throughout the season and an increase of one Monday night game to three.
Before other clubs are disheartened by the minimal scheduling or lack of for Friday nights, it needs to be noted that the Broncos have one of, if not the largest following in rugby league and are a massive viewing audience provider for Channel Nine, in which a contract of $1.025 billion was signed in partnership with Fox Sports.
Whether it be from a fanatical, club organisation or corporate sponsorship perspective, the apparent lack of Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers Friday night matches will become evident with a total of zero matches scheduled for Fridays.
What is quite surprising is the enormous drop in scheduled Friday night matches for the Knights, as 2012 saw a total of nine matches played on Friday nights, equal with St George Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs.
Canberra Raiders have received the rough end of the stick once again, with a 2012 late season bloom and run to the finals still not worthy enough of continual Friday night game exposure. 2012 saw the nation’s capital receive one Friday night match and things will not change for at least the first 20 scheduled rounds, with one Friday night match received.
It would seem North Queensland Cowboys have received the most favourable draw thus far with a total of seven games on Saturday evenings, five Friday night matches – two of which are against the Broncos – two Monday night matches and six Sunday matches, with minimal short turnarounds.
The Bulldogs, who achieved an 2012 attendance rate of 23,572 and finished first during the regular season to only just be pipped by Melbourne Storm in the grand final, have been afforded nine Friday night matches for the 2013 season.
This is the same amount as the 2012 season, and with the likes of Ben Barba, who has scored 45 tries in two seasons, who wouldn’t want to be watching the Bulldogs work their magic?
The most amazing aspect of the Bulldogs play this season was the amount of tries scored from within their own half, which provided thrilling entertainment for even the away supporters, who would just sit in awe of the amazing skills of the energetic players.
Melbourne Storm will feel robbed of what should have been a fairer draw, considering they are the current champions. Throughout the whole season, barely any consistency is afforded to the Storm for a chance of becoming the first team to go back to back since Broncos 97 and 98 premiership winning teams.
Team totals for Friday nights – Broncos 11, Bulldogs nine, Tigers seven, Rabbitohs five, Cowboys five, Storm three, Sharks three, Eels three, Manly three, Dragons three, Roosters three, Warriors two, Titans two, Raiders one, Panthers and Knights zero.
Monday night matches
The NRL gives every team hosting a Monday evening game $40,000 in compensation for lost revenue – but clubs want more.
Not sure on whether requests were place by specific teams, i.e. Manly, but seven scheduled Monday night matches is quite amazing considering Cronulla Sharks had the most with six in the 2012 season.
Manly, on two occasions, will play three Monday night matches in a row which provides consistency in scheduling but only two of these matches are played at home, so does this affect the possible turn out for their club or the four other clubs which will have to face Manly?
The team who received the second most were the Wests Tigers with four, who did not perform up to the 2012 preseason expectations. Tigers also received the third most Friday night matches, with seven.
Team total for Monday nights – Manly seven, Tigers four, Cowboys three, Rabbits three, Storm three, Broncos three, Roosters three, Eels three, Dragons two, Sharks two, Warriors two, Knights two, Titans one, Panthers one, Raiders one, Bulldogs zero.
One thing that will be quite apparent is the extremely bizarre match scheduling system that has been utilized with only the first 20 rounds being scheduled.
The obvious reasons for doing so is to accommodate teams who are in form towards the back end of the season, which can help to boost these numbers.
But with 20 rounds already scheduled, some NRL teams will already feel duped and things could only get worse.
scott
Guest
the friday night games have belonged to the winging broncos for years now and that will never change..the 2012 premiers are only given 2 friday night games this year and both are against the broncos....Who won the premiership again? surley they deservse to be awarded and not punnished for being the champians..In 2012 the broncos had i think 24 games.18 on friday night tv and 4 on sunday and again on channel 9 tv.....Is football still a sport or a buisness...Then of coarse if its origin time the brocos will get the monday game so they can recover more or even the buy that week...The whole competition is at set up and a disgrace.i live on the border and get sydney and qld tv and have a choice to watch the game of my choice most fridays.What the hell is channel 9 thinking to have a double header at brisbane of coarse and on friday of coarse,but to top it off they put the broncos game on first.Cant change channel that night to watch a game without the broncos in it.so u wait for 2 hours of the broncos first then watch a real game....16 teams in the nrl not just the 1 spoilt team,how about we see some of them on tv
Susan Storm
Guest
I am a Storm member and admit I have not looked at the other teams draws (apart from hearing Manly have 7 Monday night games in the first 20 weeks which is bad). I am disappointed with Storms draw for 2013. Only 2 Friday night games (both against the Friday Night Broncos) and one Thursday night game on 'free to air' tv (the Thursday night ANZAC Day game is being telecast on Fox Sports) Six of our scheduled home games are on 'school nights'. Two Thursday, two Sunday & two Monday night games. My main concern though is playing in Townsville in round 2 where it will be very hot and then the players having to back up 5 nights later v Bulldogs at AAMI Park. How is player welfare not an issue here? You don't see this happening in the AFL fixtures except when ANZAC Day is mid week and then those teams are not playing interstate before or after that game. Craig Bellamy was right to bring this up.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
And again whilst the figures are good for the sports mentioned on premiership rounds.A little further fine tuning or examination is worth of consideration,and I realise that is all ATM one can go on.And I am not disputing the figures BTW. The codes would be pleased with the figures. The Repucom survey bases the figures on 5 state FTA for one code,2 state for another and SFA state for the others. Plus of course the Pay Tv figures.And that will remain the same for at least the next 4-5 years on mainstream FTA,although I think the A League will jump further in viewing numbers.. Just a further reminder 198 games AFL before semis 192 games of NRL before semis. Again a variance.Yet Tv monies little different,considering The Pay Tv component. I disagree with the suggestion that figures dont vary much according to which team is winning.Get a St George,Parramatta or Broncos in the top 3 throughout the year,and watch the Tv ratings jump on FTA,particularly Fridays.They are 3 of the biggest Tv drawcards(acknowledged by 9) for the code on Tv,and in 2012 they had a tres ordinaire season. And a 420,000 despite being a low increase of .37% is still an increase ,and if my maths serve me correctly not staying the same:Mr Clipper.Even Lynn Anderson called it a marginal increase. Lynne AndersonRepucom MD Australia( who I believe is Chris Anderson's wife),made a very interesting point not revealed by those who brought the matter forward ""However it is another test considered more accurate-which accounts a viewer only once during a season-that shows the gap between the AFL and the NRL might not be as big as first thought:the gap between the two codes was only 128,000 viewers in favour of the AFL." Meaning have a Perth team /Brisabne 2 and or a CC team will greatly reduce that disparity. I also note as internationals were brought up for ru,SOO figures which for the series runs into 10 miilion viewers plus was not mentioned.3 of the most popular local TV sport matches in this country .Realise it is not apples with apples comparison,but the SOO viewing figures were records,and they form a part of the Tv contractual requirements. What the figures do reveal in a round about sort of way,the necessity to have teams in all(repeat all) mainland state capitals.The NRL should be looking intently at the results.
Cameron
Roar Guru
The only way in which the draw creates fairness is due to knowing you have a fixed schedule and can rest players knowing you may have a short five day turn around, in which the Storm have definitely copped the harsh end of the stick. Even if the season is fully set in stone, it won't stop channel 9 and foxsports from requesting or demanding specific matches, this is why the Broncos and Bulldogs will play most matchse on friday nights, therefore covering the large viewing audience of Sydney and Brisbane as they are the two largest watched teams with a total 2012 viewing audience of 22.91 million and 21.80 million respectively. These statistics speak louder to the channels that forked out the money to pay for the brand of Rugby League. They should have a great say in which teams play. As you say 'it is a delicate balance between business and fairness. Business normaly wins in straight sets.' I unforunately don't see anything being done about this any time soon as it is a business and whether it be the Broncos, Bulldogs, Channel 9 or foxsports, each will look to maximise all avenues to increase profit - through advertising, coporate sponsorship, gaining fans etc.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Return Melbourne's Premierships now, Another addition to Free-to-air television is the thursday night matches which aids teams with increased exposure. In round three, Storm play at home to the Bulldogs on a thursday night. They also play another Thursday night match against Warriors in round seven. I completely and fully agree that Melbourne have been shafted but at least this makes it the slightest bit better... In regards to the Broncos playing a ridiculous amount of friday nights, they play no thursday night matches, and play 11 friday nights, second best is the Bulldogs, and going off statistics released today the Broncos had the largest overall viewing for the 2012 full season with 22.91million, second to that was the Bulldogs with 21.80 million and they have recieved nine friday night matches in total with two thursday night matches and zero monday night matches. Bulldogs in my opinion are getting the fair share of the Free-to-air and are now on the same level as the Broncos.
Die Hard NRL Fan
Roar Rookie
Not matter how the draw is done there will always be teams/supporters who feel they have drawn the short straw. The draw being set in stone does create a fairness in sense. The fact that matches are fixed and cannot be scheduled to favour teams. That said from that view point why not set the full season (ie NFL). It has the ability to stop the TV stations from dictating and controlling game scheduling. Obviously the draw is designed to meet the TV stations preferences, but stops them from being able to pick which games they want to show. That said the draw should be drawn in a fairer way giving all teams a more even share of games across all days. TV stations should just have to show the games fixed on there time slots. Though this does no work to well from a business side of things. So it is a delicate balance between business and fairness. Business normally wins in straight sets. Hopefully future draws can be more evenly balanced for the teams.
Roarsome
Guest
Have the bookies changed the odds of the premiership winners since the draw came out? Even though the Broncs got a good draw, I don't think they're top 4. Dogs will benefit and Storm will suffer. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Australian Rules
Guest
Some other obvious differences: - Super Rugby has 18 rounds - A-League has 25 - Super Rugby has 5 Australian teams - A-League has 8 - The ratings for South African games would almost be negligible in Australia due to the time difference.
Return Melbourne's Premierships now
Guest
Understand it also, though it is usual in most walks of like for the disadvantaged to be given some form of leg up by those that have. Maybe in the interests of fairness we ought to award points for certain scheduling factors and those teams that come out with less than average get a corresponding increase in funds from the NRL. The likes of the Broncos with a ridiculous majority of Friday night games should fund the likes of Canberra who get none . At least that way there is some semblance of fairness and the less well supported clubs get more funds to promote their club. The only time my team get on Friday night football in the first 20 rounds is if they are playing the broncs and they won the premiership for goodness sake. That cannot be right.
TC
Guest
clipper What you've said is right, but don't forget the viewing numbers include the Super finals - and there'd be a big difference if, say, two (or even three) Australian sides were in the finals (compared to one), especially if one of them made the final. There's just a lot more visibility and publicity if an Australian team is doing well. TC
Cameron
Roar Guru
Agree with this sentiment, though if fans would like a nor even playing field they need to speak with numbers. I don't agree with the way the draw was scheduled, but for teams like Broncos and Bulldogs I understand why.
Cameron
Roar Guru
With these statistics for viewing numbers, its no surprise why Broncos and Bulldogs are afforded the most Friday night fta coverage with 11 and nine games respectively.
clipper
Guest
TC - While the viewing figures of the domestic sports don't vary too much according to which team is winning, it makes a big difference to the international sport of Rugby, as the Australian teams didn't have a good year. A league up 29% is good news for them, AFL up 9% would be encouraging and NRL staying the same - will be interesting next year!
TC
Guest
And as I said on another thread where I also put this link up, the Super Rugby situation is complicated by the fact that Australian sides make up one third of the competition, and TV viewing numbers will wax and wane with how well those Australian teams are mixing it with the top sides. TC
Australian Rules
Guest
I don't think TC sought to compare actual numbers but rather, viewing trends for each sport. Again, worrying for Rugby...encouraging for the A-League.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Hardly fair to compare Super Rugby, which is only on Fox Sports, with AFL and NRL, which are shown extensively on FTA! The comparison with the A-League is probably fair though, and would certainly be of concern to the ARU.
Will Sinclair
Guest
+2
Boomshanka
Guest
+1
Return Melbourne's Premierships now
Guest
Trouble is, what fans want is not this convoluted draw but one which is fair and even across all clubs.
TC
Guest
Speaking of TV broadcasts, League fans are probably familiar with the annual survey conducted by Repucom which tallies annual viewing TV vieing numbers across the four football codes. The latest results are out and they have been published in the Australian this morning. League continues to hold a very strong position. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/afl-a-league-big-winners-in-football-report-after-viewers-switch-off-rugby/story-e6frg6n6-1226525246762