I think if we want rugby league to reach new heights, we need to charter new territory. Perhaps the best way to do this is to build links between the Northern Hemisphere’s Super League and the NRL.
In the wider world, the NFL is looking at a team in London. I don’t even know which conference that team would fit into.
They say they will do that before putting a new team into Los Angeles and want to increase the number of games to eight matches a year. The current matches are selling out Wembley.
Clearly the world is getting smaller. But competitions also want to protect the spirit of sport, and dig into the entertainment realm as much as possible. Twenty20 cricket is a good example.
But what about this talk of a UK-based NRL side? I don’t think it will work at all.
But I am aware of Souths and Brisbane signing up to be involved in any expanded World Club Challenge, should it get off the ground.
In the NRL itself, we are not even selling out all the games in the finals series, which must be the goal. Last year the ARLC increased ticket prices and doubled finals revenue.
But no matter what the price of the tickets are, it is quality matches rather than cost that will bring fans to the game.
I have a few ideas as to how we can boost rugby league, all while maintaining tradition.
Let’s keep agenda out of this and see if we’d actually enjoy this season set-up. A successful iteration of this will only help the clubs.
Rules alignment
Right now the NRL/SL need to align rules, or risk eventually having two totally different forms of rugby league. Rules need to go to the international board, which was recently given more teeth, before they are ratified between the two competitions.
At the moment both competitions will need to work more closely on this. I think it’s important. We must remember in soccer you used to be able to rugby-tackle early on in the rules, but perhaps that was ditched for injury purposes.
Rules change, but they need alignment in two different places. Playing more matches with the Super League will help bring these closer over time.
Then we need to bring the two comps closer. Why not play the World Club Challenge during the season, across three fixture weekends? They come here and we go there, swapping each fixture or yearly.
Clearly there is an appetite for Australian-based rugby league teams in the UK and vice versa, as Wigan are showing now.
We need to then align both competition’s dates and match days. England’s Challenge Cup is becoming more irrelevant, so it should be reduced – at least in terms of the workload of the Super League clubs.
You could have teams willing to be involved fly over/fly here during otherwise bye weekends, and give them more time off after the next match. This is what Wigan are doing right now.
It would probably be three match-days, and may involve three teams from each comp. First fixtures would start before the season proper, then one before State of Origin and one after.
It would finish before the semi-finals of both comps. Coaches can manage squads well enough, I do not buy they can’t. We need to ‘give a little’ in these areas, because the NRL is a long season and rugby league is the winner overall.
We can’t really chop NRL rounds just yet, because of the TV contract. I don’t think the WCC should be played after the grand finals either.
But I do think this will help align rules and the leagues and player talents between, without watering down each league’s traditional goal.
We all love it when English teams tour Australia. We don’t have to play all matches in traditional posts. Perth/Adelaide could take one game, and if the New Zealand Warriors are involved they can take a game.
Remember if we want to reach new heights, we need to chart new territory. And this serves a lot of purposes. It’s authentic.
The Finals
I’ve always wondered in NRL, because it’s a league-ladder, if the team to come first should qualify automatically for grand final.
In any case, I think 2009 was the last huge crowd for a finals match outside the grand final. It’s rare we get the combinations and match-ups and locations to sell out.
All the finals should be changed into knockout contests. You’d only have two or three less matches than right now.
I think you need to ramp up the risk/reward and stop giving teams two bites of the cherry. We need to ask ourselves why World Cup finals and the like are knockouts after the pool stages.
When that fuel is charged with media reporting and fan expectations/finality, I think you get a more compelling, intense experience. It’s either watch your team here, or wait until next season if they lose.
Imagine the roll-on and build up from the media in that scenario. Also with less matches you can focus on them more, and you can logisitically prepare better community engagement in the cities/towns.
Imagine the NRL rolling into Melbourne with a finals match on the line and increased exposure/focus down in Melbourne and things of that nature.
If the first team sits out until the grand final, it will place more emphasis on people to actually attend matches for their team when they can.
The second-placed team gets a rest first week of finals. I am unconcerned with keeping the best two teams out, because again, you had a chance to watch them for 20-plus rounds in some way, make the most of that.
So there are three knockout games in the first weekend. Then the second team from the season joins for two knockout games the following weekend, then a preliminary final to decide who plays the minor premiers in the grand final.
Everyone talks about more comps, we have the international dimension but little is ever done about it. We can give it an Ashes flavour. If we are looking for extra free rounds, such a finals series will help provide that.
The current top eight format rewards mediocrity, but I am not bailing on it just yet – I’d like to see how this year’s finals go.
But if there is no improvement and no sellouts I think we should seriously consider changing the finals.
In any event, if we are going to split the competition and do a World Club Challenge mid-year then we may need some kind of seasonal structure/reward to help people refocus on such a long season.
If the minor premiers get a grand final place automatically and second place gets a week off, it’s only going to make the final rounds of the premiership mean something extra. Suddenly, lesser games gather more meaning and interest.
These ideas aren’t something we should rush off to do, but it may be something to discuss.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Hi Muzz. Well I dont think they necarsarily need to reduce ticket prices, though some coins shaved off may be done long term. I think they need to offer more value - and I do not mean that derogatorily, because they offer GOOD value and its all only getting better, its really ramping up and I expect to see more big crowds this year than last, easily..... Those things are what I am trying to drive at with concepts of efficiency, competition-structure intensity (without compromising longevity), uncertainty, and level of supporter investment. You may not want to hear this, but Im pretty sure that doing the sums, that reducing ticket prices right now would have adverse effects on clubs. This is why I believe the NRL are more interested in setting up a central ticketing scheme, since it will reduce ticket surcharges. That could be 15-20 bucks for some people on ticket purchases right there, maybe more. I want to mention a story in the sydney morning herald, it has ryan hoffman, melbourne storm, saying they want a reduction in NRL rounds to allow for more tournaments/exibition matches. Could you imagine the NRL going to Wembly!? Or state of Origin!? These things are simply beyond us at the moment without great effort/sacrifice. What if there was a big world club challenge (proposed new format at wembly, or even in the North with Melbourne Storm playing at City of Manchester Stadium - how cool would that be?) http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/ryan-hoffman-calls-for-nrl-to-reduce-length-of-premiership-season-20140217-32wez.html?rand=1392638702295 Our crowds during the season are increasing. I do want them to address Origin, I just feel the schedule is too tight. Todd Greenberg has said no change (such as all stars) would come about before 2017 - its just not possible, and they have built changes and budgetary things around that. It would be too much upheaval. But they could negotiate for the future. I honestly think, and this is not a cop-out to anyone here, please, so I hope not to offend - I dont think its overly offensive but just saying... That I think sitting here today looking forward to new season, its hard for people to accept change. I really do believe that my full system, amended to have [most or some of] the WCC challenge during semi finals at the height of our season, would go a long way to not only improving the English game in meaningful ways, for them, and for International Football, but it would also, provide an extra dimension that players crave - that bigger stage. I believe with the strength of the NRL, they don't even have to send their 100% best side. BUT the ARLC could put terms of X amount of top players required, in the side; they could also do this across all such competitions. This is no different from the premier league and various other soccer leagues, where you have to feild X amount of home grown players, and what a home grown player is, is stipulated by the FA. Or champions league, where you have to register a squad at the start of the tournament, which is typically always your best possible squad, and you must endeavor to use it. Same kind of thing with International Tournaments. But if its quality we seek, naturally you could say X amount of top players. You'd maybe make an allowance for injuries, but only once the squad has been picked. I see regular seasonal crowds lifting, but I put it down to our ideal circumstances. Broncos featured - good stadium, good matchups. SCG featured, Rabbitohs members at good stadium, so in other words we are building toward the best circumstances right now. I feel we can build even further. And this is ultimately not a massive change, it wouldn't turn people off. The things we are tweaking already exist, and the knockout finals serve a purpose....its also fresh and it also wraps up the season in a timely manner, allowing us to dabble in other comps. I honestly dont know why this did not get more comments/reviews. I think this does everything the ARLC could want, and then some. It may not be for now, it would be for several years down the track, and we could put in place to build to it, one thing at a time. __ Think of it like this if you want: If we did all that, we would leave AFL and Union here looking pretty drab, and the quality will leave *club* australian soccers international dimension looking obscure. Thanks for your replies too btw
Muzz
Guest
That should be Roosters V Knights in the double header : )
Muzz
Guest
Von, I think they need to lower the price of finals tickets and try and find a balanced price where they will make up the difference by filling the stadium. Here is a list of the best 6 NRL crowds for the 2103 regular season and the finals double header that should of been a sell out, Rabbits V Roosters Round 26 - 60k Dogs V Rabbits Round 24 - 52k Broncos V Cowboys Round 6 - 42k Roosters V Dragons Round 7 - 41k Broncos V Storm Round 4 - 40k Broncos V Rabbits Round 8 - 40k Finals double header Roosters V Sea Eagles and Sharks V Cowboys - 32k
world of goo
Guest
Just where is it heading? Let's say sportsfan is correct and that includes me. Too many games. They should do something next TV deal. Quality finals mean as much to myself as origin in certain aspects. I can't get up for a double header including manly and north qld. I think a knock out could do a lot to turn that around. I hope they make it knock out at some point. Too many NRL games that we could reduce rounds. Sports fan is right they must look to see which ones get the light In my theoretical season, big tickets are 9s at start, origin then knock out finals. Yes Von I do think in line with sorts fan, if that were the case and they're going to have room add wcc then. Ko finals work for my blood. It's not Bad what happens now but, if it's a question of lining up 2 leagues closer could be better for both leagues.
cowelly
Guest
+1 Our finals don't get sold out like AFL's becaue the AFL finals are the blue ribbon event - SOO is RL's blue ribbon.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Von I guess I am looking at the structure of the season from a perspective of what is most important to the NRL, the players and the fans. With the various different events such as Auckland 9’s, All Stars prior to the season in the past 4 years, Origin during the middle 6 weeks, the finals during September and now a suggestion of a WCC in October when exactly do the players get time off from training and playing? Why are we trying to create almost a 12 month calendar of endlessly playing various competitions? As I asked in my original post it ultimately will come down to what the ARLC, NRL, the fans and players deem as the most important aspect of the season; is it Origin? Is it the NRL Premiership season, is it the other mickey mouse stuff like Auckland 9s and WCC games? Where is the game headed at this rate?
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Had to add one thing, I mentioned the current system focused on the weakness due to the positional nature of the structure, where you finish. To clarify it, you would draw names out of hat (shown in a public/tv place) to determine who plays who out of 3-8. Its not positional based - the strongest survive. And that strength is proportionally related to how they got through the NRL season. So those 3-8 are using players, to play finals, the top2 are having more rest weeks while playing WCC as well. Thats their reward for finishing the season in the top 2. I think its inherently even and exciting. Everyone is working in tandem with the concept behind it and no one is really getting unfair advantages
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Griff, I kinda thought of that. The knockout system is not reliant on table-positional matchups so much. In the current system we rely on the structure to generate the excitement. But what wider audience is going to turn up to a semi's match in the first round when you know your team gets a second bite of the cherry, and they are playing a team they expect to beat. The media focus I think on the 'weakness' of the matchup in our current finals series more than the strengths - because thats how the system is designed - it focus' on "weakest" bow out. By the time we hit the later stages and its pure knockout to make GF, ect, there's more interest. This system (the full version) is removing top 2 teams from equation, and its equalizing the rest. There would be less gap between teams 3-8 (6 teams) than between teams 1-8. So those remaining 6 teams are closer together in any given season. We then are not introducing the top 2 teams until later in the finals. I think its more balanced, while addressing WCC potential. They are talking about efficiency in the ARLC atm, and I think we can bring some efficiency to the competition, and also efficiency to coaches (well a benefit actually) who try to skimp on teams for various competitions. Well in the system I am putting forward, everyone would be on a more even playing feild in regards to squad makeup. Maybe don't make up your minds yet, but dwell on it. This system (in its full) would force some changes, but I think the net benefit is far greater than just pretending the NRL is the only rugby league worth playing
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
You raise good points. The main driver of this format, is simply the knockout finals. Even if the rest of the system is unworkable, I think we stand to gain so much from knockout finals. You dont even need automatic qualify for first. The reason I put automatic qualify for first in, is to slightly tweak the "dependency" of the NRL while broadening the game; I think coaches can manage such competition squads. The origin period is a hassle because its a long period of refocus when all teams are on the field. Here at least in the system, you would be involving teams who would otherwise be on a break. So I think there is a whole other dynamic that NRL can use, in its favor. There's so much analysis of squads in the media and amongst fans, it could provide an extra element of tactics and interest/strategy. But if we take nothing out of this, lets just take the knockout finals concept. I think its far more appealing/exciting. We have got to start selling out the semis. I think the All stars concept would not be played in this system, or it would return to start of season. The NRL would not play WCC games during year, only after NRL regular season is ended. To preserve its focus. What I would do instead, if you'd like to consider: 1st qualifys for GF straight up - reward for season. They play in the WCC type games, help with match fitness. 2nd place gets a rest, and plays in WCC type games. Remember we have about 3-4 weeks before GF, thats plenty of time. ESL could come here, we could go there. So, thats leaving 3 knock out finals matches. And the 2nd placed team would play the lowest placed knock-out survivor of those, , then the winner of the other knockout. That winner plays on GF day. This is 90% complete, may require a couple other things I am not even on the radar about. BUT it is workable, wouldn't you agree? And for the WCC prize money could be put up. The WCC may not have a final, it could be knockout as well. I just think it will be good for all round, not just NRL, which is in line with the ARLC thinking it seems, to expand the RL consciousness thereby expanding the game; increasing opportunity. I think there's an appetite there. In future years Asian Soccer cup is going to be on the rise, and it would be great to get a system of simiilar scope, even though its with less countries.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Glad you can see the benefits. This would be eventual, and it would need to be sensible. I will ammend my system below, after SportsfansMelb concerns below this post, because he raises points that i did not expand upon or go into in the article. He's right, it would be long, but note I said reduction of games. I think reduction of NRL is optional in this, in that I think it can work even with our current rounds, I will show you why.
code 13
Roar Guru
It's obvious why the AFL could never do that because they get their players from predominantly one country but rugby league can get its players from any country in the world where league and/or union is played. The league has barely tapped its real available talent pool. As for having all those big events in the one season I doubt we'll see an Expanded World Club Challenge every year. I suspect it will be an every 4 years type event. And as I've been saying for quite some time the All Stars and regular World Club Challenge are likely to shift to October after the NRL season has concluded. Every non-NRL game players play obviously runs an injury risk but the code isn't likely to scrap Origin or Test matches any time soon. These matches are part of the fabric of the game.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Turbo – totally agree. It seems nearly every article on the League tab recently point to more and more games. Most seem to think that quality and quantity are the same thing and they most certainly are not. For some posters the season would deadest run 12 full months if you add all the suggestions together: - All Stars - Auckland 9s - NRL Premiership Season - State of Origin - NRL Finals - Expanded World Club Challenge - Annual 4 nations (Aus, NZ, UK, France) To top off that list some want the NRL to expand to between 18-22 teams! Where exactly is this huge amount of talent going to come from to fill an extra 2 squads let alone another 4-6? It becomes a question of occupational health and safety for the players. The current squad sizes would need to increase by half with the amount of games some people want played during the season. It comes down to priority for the ARL. What games are most important annually on the calendar? Right now it is Origin. They do not care that it disrupts the middle of the season for 6 weeks with star players missing club games on the weekend prior because they are in camp and the weekend after because they are recovering from Wednesday night. It is getting bigger every year and players are changing citizenship in order to be able to play e.g. Tamou. While the Auckland 9s was a nice little taste test for the season coming there are clubs (Newcastle, North Queensland, Brisbane off the top of my head) that are going to feel the ramifications of injured players for weeks/months because of a tournament that means nothing in the scheme of things. Right now the ARL and NRL seem to have prioritised the NRL season as the bottom of its list of things to look after. You have the same clubs year after year getting a favourable draw from a broadcast point of view while the same clubs get shafted year after year. It is lazy scheduling and does nothing for the smaller clubs to get exposure and hence access to more sponsorship. If you are a fan of the Storm, Titans, Raiders, Sharks, Cowboys make sure you get Foxtel or turn up to the ground because Channel 9 is not interested and neither are the ARL seemingly. Can anyone explain the reason that the current season is run over 26 weeks for a 24 games for each club? I will add that the season was ridiculously long before the current TV deal. What is the answer to all this? Who knows? But before we start adding a continuous amount of meaningless games to calendar and before we start on yet another article of expansion talk the season structure must be fixed. Who exactly wants to see a star player(s) from their club get injured in any of the following: All Stars, Auckland 9s or the World Club Challenge
Griffo
Guest
The problem with your format is the top placed team will surely lose some match fitness over the three weeks it won't be playing. I think one of the good things about the current finals system is that it makes the lower placed to teams have to effectively qualify to play the higher placed teams by winning first. I do think there are too many teams than deserve to be there but for 8 i think the current is the best system. In knock out you presumably get those 1v8 2v7 etc. matchups and they lead to crap contests. Ideally i think it should be a final 6. Week 1 - 3v6, 4v5, 1&2 bye. Week 2 - 1v2, (W of 3v6)v(W of 4v5). Week 3 - (L of 1v2)v(W of lower match), W of 1v2 bye. Week 4 - (W of 1v2)v(W of week 3). Of course they won't do this because there are only 6 games instead of the current 9 and 6 teams instead of the current 8. Also agree with Von about shortening the season and making origin standalone
turbodewd
Guest
Von, you are correct with one thing, the NRL cant sell out finals games. Its insane. I point out that QUALITY trumps quantity but I am in the minority. State of Origin proves beyond any doubt that quality matters - quantity doesnt mean a thing. The NRL finals should be sudden death! And the NRL season should drop to 22 or 20 games but spread over 25 weeks to allow 3 weeks for Origin (which can remain on Wed night).