I, like many rugby league fans, had a glance at the newly released draw for the 2015 season of the NRL and spotted a few things that I think the game should’ve evolved by now.
There’s always four discussions when it comes to draw.
There’s the obligatory ‘team x has to travel too far during the season’, which is always spouted by Sydney media and teams more than sides that have more of a right to grumble about such things, like the Warriors and Cowboys.
There’s the focus on the Broncos’ squirrel-grip on Channel Nine with Friday night football. That would be quite funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Then there are the fans of all the teams whinging about how ‘my team got screwed with the draw’, yet there’s nothing about player safety.
And finally, the debate always turns to representative games.
Now, I’m not going to go near these four problems that pop up each year with such regularity that you could set your watch to them. Just like the obligatory alcohol-related incident, the first Manly fan screaming ‘we hate you too’, Gus Gould saying something incredibly stupid during a broadcast and Darius Boyd being picked for Queensland – no matter what form he’s in.
No, my thought today is to change the way our weekend of footy is set up. My proposal is to scrap Saturday NRL.
Now before you scroll past the rest of my reasons and start venting your fury about how leaving a whole day free would just give the market to the AFL, just listen to my reasoning.
Think about how this might help all of rugby league in Australia, not just the NRL.
My weekend plan would be two Friday night games at 7pm, exclusively state and local competitions played on Saturday, five games on Sunday and one Monday night match kicking off at 6.30pm.
The Sunday games would feature two at 1pm, two at 3pm and one at 5pm.
My idea is to give Saturday a chance for all players across Australia to play their rugby league games. This means that there is no pressure on missing NRL games to play local footy or missing personal games to go to an NRL match.
Like many things on the Internet, I stole the idea off somebody else.
I’ve followed american football since the days of Don Lane on the ABC late on Tuesday nights. There is a law in the USA that states the NFL will not play games at the same time as both high school football and college football. It takes away interest from them.
High school gets Friday nights and college gets Saturdays. This allows the NFL to show games on Sunday and Monday (and now Thursday). This builds the game better from the ground up with the thirst for american football coming through from juniors upwards.
I believe that if you make this one small change you will help increase attendance at NRL games as the interest will carry over from playing the games (and also attending local competition games) to going to watch them.
It also allows for more games on Sunday, which many people have stated and restated that they want, compared to Monday night games for example.
For all the people who say that this allows the AFL to have a free shot at the Sydney and Brisbane markets on Saturday? What, one game a week in these markets is a huge threat to rugby league? How insecure are you?
You don’t think there are plenty of fans out there that enjoy both sports? The AFL will do anything to keep its grip on Saturday after being rebuffed from fans the other year about removing Saturday games. I say let them have it and make Sunday the great day for rugby league.
I’m sure there will be Roarers who will pick this idea apart but, think about it, my plan allows for the same amount of NRL games a week, allows the juniors and local competitions around the country to play on Saturday and have their own stand alone day.
3 Hats
Guest
Wow, no Saturday NRL footy, really? What have you been smoking? lol Seriously Junior League is played on a Saturday for the younger kids, aged U6s to U12s mini and mod league. On Sunday it is U13s up to and including A grade, international rules. It would be difficult for the Adult players to play on a Saturday as many of them do actually go to work on Saturday. You didn't think of that fact. I would like to remind this author, Allan Jennings that Junior footy on a Saturday is well and truly finished by about 2pm at the latest and gives dedicated Footy family's enough time to get to their local NRL stadium for a 7:30 kick off. Now Allen please tell me how you propose to play EVERY single Junior game on a Saturday from U6s to A Grade? For Starters there is not enough playing fields or Refs to do this. When I refereed in the 90s we did about 3 or 4 games on the Saturday, then we backed up for 3 or 4 games on the Sunday. If we Refereed only on Saturday we would have to do about a minimum of 7 games each, some of these were running the touch line also!...this is not practical now, is it?
Margaret
Guest
Its a coward attack and a player for a club that has just won the premiership and its a paragraph on page 40. Other murder convctions get a couple of paras in the front of the apper. You must work for NRL Central...
Bulldog
Guest
Not sure where you are from Allan but I am guessing you have never been to Tville between November to May. I realise you are just suggesting a hypothetical however the other reason Cowboys prefer games on Saturday is so people like myself can travel from about 4 hours away to attend games. It is difficult to get to Sunday arvo and Monday night games due to travel. The NFL logic does not work for NRL as the college games over there are actually more popular (attendance wise) than NFL games so the NFL cannot compete. Very difficult to get a ticket to a college game. This is not the case with QLD Cup etc
pete
Guest
But its the biggest and most successful league in the world. Whilst I don't think this is a good idea we should be trying to replicate the NFL more and getting rid of the rubbish like state of origin and international football which detract from club football.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
NSW Cup is only shown on FOX. QLD have a good deal for those interested in the Intrust Cup.
AR
Guest
True. They're just not part of the Spring Carnival.
Rob
Guest
Probably the worst idea I have heard in a while. All games should be televised - Thursday, Friday, x2 Saturday, x3 Sunday and one Monday. There should be a dedicated channel to NRL whether it be GEM or something else that shows all content plus RL talk shows (not the footy show!) and state football during the week. I like the idea of showing more state footy however I think if you had a dedicated channel you could find time to show these games while still making the NRL the marque product.
strayrabbit
Guest
The games on Saturday do not disrupt local club games as the NRL matches are played late afternoon into early evening.. If anything make the Saturday have earlier scheduling. Say 4pm and 6pm kick off (NRL still not thinking of families with young children)... Plus change from 3 games to 2 games on Saturdays... Games need to be played Saturday..
kevin dustby
Guest
because he retired over ten years ago
kevin dustby
Guest
there are plenty of good races before the Turnbull Stakes
kevin dustby
Guest
incorrect, they were not more popular
kevin dustby
Guest
oh dear, "total viewing audience"
pat malone
Guest
not a bad idea
pat malone
Guest
give up wit the NSW and QLD cups, no one cares
pat malone
Guest
yeah, thats going to attract a huge viewing audience
pat malone
Guest
unlike you i am capable of doing both at once
swamprat
Roar Pro
The super league here in England has messed around with its scheduling with the resultant fall in sectators. The transport problems of getting around the congested motorways on a Friday night mean many don't bother once they've endured it. Unfortunately we are in the same boat as you as our broadcaster and paymaster sky dictates playing times.
Muzz
Guest
Was there a "HA" attached to this article this morning or am i going loco? I love watching Saturday Footy either live then heading out on the town or at the local and even on lounge at home.There would be a big hole to fill if it were gone. Pubs, clubs etc also rely on live sport to bring the patrons in and wouldn't be too pleased if it were removed from the Saturday day or night time slot.
AdelaideWill
Guest
The NRL is not the NFL - Please move on
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You've been outfoxed dear sir.