Although this topic has been covered to death, I am drawn to the ongoing debate about the NRL fixture.
I am perplexed that the main go-to solution is a conference system. So, I’m putting my two cents in and proposing how to fix the NRL fixture.
First gripe to fix is that teams should not play against each other twice until at least ten weeks have passed. Why ten weeks? Why not. It’s more than two months, which is a long time in football, and allows for both teams to go away and change current run of form and injuries.
As someone who grew up on AFL, it is still a hard concept to grasp that Newcastle and Cowboys are playing each other for the second time in six rounds. Sure the marketing for the match is a square up for the way Newcastle treated JT, but it was literally a month ago.
The next major point isn’t really a big one, but altering the season to have 23 games played with three byes is the best option. These byes would coincide with State of Origin. This way there is still plenty of footy played between March and October, and the players do get some breaks in-between.
In my modelling, you would keep two Friday night games, Saturday day, Saturday twilight, Saturday night, Sunday early, Sunday day and Sunday twilight games. You could possibly alternate the Sunday early game with Monday night if broadcasters are so inclined.
My final talking point would be the way the double games are chosen. Since I have scheduled in seven extra matches after playing each opponent, I am again going to borrow from the AFL and have a tiered system based on ladder position of season before. Each team would play two games against teams that finished top four, positions 4-8, positions 9-12 and bottom four.
Since it takes the NRL a long time to develop a fixture (with broadcasters choosing games timeslots), the powers in charge would have time to develop a fairer fixture.
Now, why do I think my method is better than other methods? For one, I don’t disadvantage Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle or New Zealand for not having eight teams within an hour’s drive of them. The selection criteria for who your double opponents are is based purely on last season’s performance, and not geographical location.
Another feature of using this method of choosing the opponents from a bracket of final placings, is that you keep it roughly even a fair. There will obviously be teams that get a fairer double up than others, but short of everyone playing everyone once or twice, it’s the nearest way to acheive common ground. Those who organise the draw can then make sure Roosters/Manly/Bulldogs/Rabbitohs have double up games against higher drawing opponents.
So what do you think Roarers? Besides whipping a dead horse, what are your thoughts on fixing the NRL fixtures without using conferences?
Madge
Guest
This bizarre Tigers/Bulldogs matchup twice in a month means they have completely lost it. How is it with the other codes already fixtured and SOO set in stone they come up with this rubbish. Methinks it is designed to favour some teams over others. The AFL and RU with challenges of their own manage to have a draw that is equitable and the AFL has a six day compulsory break and the RU 3 countries
Aaron Killian
Guest
17 is way way to short and would not make the most of $1 billion tv right deal, 22 rounds is the succesful ballpark
Aaron Killian
Guest
An NRL conference format is what the game needs, it should increase crowd numbers and overall interest and investment. A 6 club double home and away round robin conference (20 games & 2 byes = 22 rounds) would provide patriotic, high stakes games and ultimately fix scheduling. The NRL could change the conferences each season based on previous season's results with top 3 clubs in each conference advancing to finals series. The 2 lowest 3rd placed clubs could gain entry into the finals with a neutral venue play-off. The NRL should make the most of the $1 billion TV rights deal with this format as with the premier league, it started off the back of a lucrative TV rights deal in 1992 by gathering all top clubs to play in a new breakaway competition. Although a slightly different scenario the NRL could make the same prosperous affect in Australian sport by implementing such a format.
Pester
Guest
And you're wrong. They play with a split now so they play every team twice before splitting into a top 8 for another round as well as magic weekend before finals.
jamesb
Guest
It has started in 2002, and it will be the 14th edition. Sure, its not a tradition that's been built on over 50 or 60 years, but it's a start.
Rob9
Guest
Firstly, I wouldn't have Melbourne, Canberra and NZ in a conference with any of the 3 QLD teams. There was an article recently that grouped the current 16 teams into 4 conferences of 4. The above mentioned teams were in a group with Manly while the 3 QLD teams were in a group with Newcastle. As for the travel for the teams in Sydney, just structure the draw so they play either Canberra or Melbourne, Brisbane or Gold Coast and NQ or NZ away. It really is a non issue.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Traditional might have been the wrong word, though it has been over a decade. I think it's a good match to continue.
baldie
Guest
I don't see how the Rooster vs Dragons is 'traditional' its only being going a few years. Every team should get a chance at playing on ANZAC day.
Ty
Roar Rookie
Because there are only 12 teams in the Super League. Not 16.
lester
Guest
So how do Super League manage it then, with Challenge Cup games as well during the week? Clubs have squads for a reason but coaches here are lazy and refuse to rotate their players properly.
Boz
Guest
"It's about being as even as possible, while still giving fans and broadcasters the games they want". That's what got us to where we are now. Your system is really just tinkering around the edges. The whole draw needs a complete overhaul.
Boz
Guest
Not necessarily.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I largely agree with your post actually, but I think the only key matches to keep in place would be the club ANZAC game (Storm vs Warriors) and the traditional ANZAC game (Roosters vs Dragons). Beyond that it really is just a matter of which day/night the matches are scheduled on. Also I have a bit of dislike for the AFL system, especially now that any big game in Adelaide can pack the Adelaide Oval.
Wayne
Roar Guru
AFL has same thing, where teams like Essendon very rarely play in South Australia. While other Melbourne based clubs will play twice in QLD, Perth and Adelaide. Even my system isn't the definition of "Fair". Its about being as even as possible while still giving fans and broadcasters the games they want
Alex L
Roar Rookie
There's no conference system that doesn't either create an uneven travel burden or just come across as silly; when two teams within a single city are in a different conference you would just be shaking your head.
Wayne
Roar Guru
Less $$$ from TV rights deals.
Boz
Guest
Play each other once. Shorter season, fairer draw.
Boz
Guest
How? Play certain teams twice and others once a year all the time? If you happen to be the weakest team in the strongest conference, how is that fair? Conferences are counter productive to creating a fair draw.
Boz
Guest
Yes, but this article is about getting the fairest draw. What TV wants and certain teams always playing other teams twice every year is the opposite of fair.
QConners
Roar Pro
Unfortunately that isn't good for business and a 30-round draw is just too long. Conferences/divisions is the only way to fairly fix the draw.