When it comes to the numbers on players backs, I’m at sixes and sevens. The idea has been thrown about before, but it’s time we scrap the #1-17, and let the players choose a number for themselves that they stick with.
The traditionalists will come out and say “the number represents their position on the field”. But does it?
Does it really matter if Johnathan Thurston is wearing the #7 for his club, or the #6 jersey for Queensland and Australia, when it comes to his role on the field? He could wear the number 3.1415926 on his back, but will would still know where he is playing.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest ‘halves’, not the “greatest #6/#7”. The #9 packs in at #13 at scrums. Second rowers play centre.
Referees call players by their name, not number now, so what’s the use?
When it comes to basketball, you only have to say #23 and it’s synonymous with the G.O.A.T, Shane Heal – sorry I meant Michael Jordan.
Other sports have players known for their numbers as well. #10 in football for Pele/Maradona, #99 in ice hockey for Wayne Gretzky, #2 for Derek Jeter in Baseball, among others. Even in Australia we have #05 in motorsport for Peter Brock, and the #4 for St Kilda/Sydney’s Tony Lockett.
There was some media attention when Michael Clarke wanted to wear the #23 and Shane Warne had to give his blessing.
For me there are only positives for everyone involved.
The players
Their jersey number is the same week in week out. They could play in their junior number, their birthday, their lucky number, the number their father or idol played in.
They could negotiate a clause in their contract to receive a per cent of profits from the sales of their jersey.
It would make them present themselves more to the fans. Promoting themselves means more money in their pockets. They could then use sales figures from their jersey, to earn more in negotiations with clubs.
They could cross promote with other brands, i.e. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves having a ‘Number #8’ Burger at Macca’s. “Lots of Meat, Little nonsense!”
The clubs
Increased revenue from jersey sales. Younger fans may purchase more than one if they have more than one favourite player. They could retire numbers. Newcastle could retire the #7 for Andrew Johns, the #1 or #6 at Brisbane for Darren Lockyer, or down the track Melbourne could retire the #9 or #1 for Cam Smith and Billy Slater.
Down the track they could honour a player who has passed away, by having players wear jerseys just with that number. Baseball do it to honour the first African American to play, and the NRL did it in support of Alex McKinnon last year.
If Thaiday chose a number that was also a Brisbane CBD bus number, the club could then use this as a marketing tool. ‘Jump on the #12 Express’ with Big Slammin’ Sam’s frame posted all over it, again increasing revenue and brand awareness.
The NRL
If players were compensated for the sales of ‘their’ jerseys, their behaviour off the field would impact sales, thus reducing the money in their pockets.
This would hopefully lead to a decrease in player misbehaviour.
The fans
Everyone has a favourite player, past and present. Young fans would love to head to games wearing the same number as their heroes like Matt Moylan, Benji Marshall or Billy Slater, but are reluctant to get numbers on the back, as who knows who will be wearing it next week?
I’m sure some of the older generation would love to still wear their classic jerseys to games, especially if it had a number that resonated with a legendary player.
I hope it’s just a matter of time before this is a reality. But then again, time is just a number.
3 Hats
Guest
Jimmmy, steveng...Your both right and also wrong! Now if you blokes are actually interested in the HISTORY of the "Numbers of Rugby league" This is it, No.1 was originally Blind side prop and No.13 was originally the Fullback as in Rugby UNION. The Numbering system in England changed in the late 1890s and reversed to what it is today. However...In the old days in Australia Only it was 8 for Lock and 13 for blind side Prop. Australia changed our system to be in line with the numbering system in England On Kangaroo tours the numbering system was different again. e.g. If 3 Fullbacks went on tour their Numbers were 1, 2 and 3 then the Wingers, normally 4 would be No. 4, 5, 6 and 7...and so on. This changed in the 60s. It is much easier as a spectator to use the current numbering system when determining a players positions on the field!.
Matt
Guest
Excellent points.
Compo
Roar Rookie
Logical how can you call anyone as a HALF with number 456? or a Fullback with 39? for example... then they wont be halves or fullbacks, but just numbers? so basically its just a lucky number??? puhlease.....we're talking about this instead of all the real blights on the Game... Video Ref system 2 person Ref system 'alleged' drugs in the Game 3rd party payment loopholes and many others...
Compo
Roar Rookie
nfl CALL NUMBERS BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY NAMES TO REMEMBER !!!
JohnDoe
Guest
Well, Leicester Tigers have been using letters Union style for ages and won several premierships in England, can't be that bad. OBur if you want it English League style Bristol wore them in the past.
josh
Roar Rookie
Numbers on jersey's seem to elicit strong emotions from many. To avoid this what about using letters, A-M for the starting 13, then all the way to Z. Or netball style with interchangable bibs, so F (Fullback), LW (left wing), LC (Left Centre) , HB (Half-Back), FE (five Eighth), L (Lock), H (Hooker), LP (Left Prop or follow Union and go TP, LP tighthead, loosehead prop) , LR (Left Back Row) etc...
steveng
Roar Rookie
I fully agree, the props were always numbered 13 and 11 and the hooker 12, second rowers were 10 and 9 and the legendary lock's were always No 8. It's a joke that we have denigrated the classic and legendary numbers of the players of the past eg Raper and Coote and all of the others..
Gonzo
Guest
Sharks should have their license revoked. So much "history" is being thrown to the sharks (intentional pun) with the BS that seems to resonate around this club. I heard there used to be a Bears team in the comp, who would love a license. Would we really miss the Cronulla Sharks were out of the comp?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Because it represents the players position and as a long time fan of RL it gives me an automatic sense of a players position not some outrageous number that he fancies and wears, like it is today. Let's get back to the original and the traditional way of how RL was numbered, there is nothing wrong with that.
Gonzo
Guest
NRL would love to be held in the same esteem as the NFL.
steveng
Roar Rookie
If it came to a Hayne No1 jumper then the Eels jumper of Hayne should be numbered No1 with Hayne's name written on it and the year as well. That would be a more credible and a more authentic way of having jumpers for fans to buy.
Charles NSW
Guest
I agree with steveg! However the forward numbers were changed in about 1989. The lock forward for example was changed from 8 to 13 Each coach has to find ways to exploit their opposition but you have to ask why change positions to do it For example having a half on each side instead of having the halfback and 5/8 do their own role is not smart in my view Keeping players in their positions so they can learn all the tricks of the trade is a better move
Jay C
Roar Guru
I'm sorry. When was the last time the Broncos took PEDs, are called the administration punts or threatened and physically intimidated a junior referee. Sharks continually dragging our game into the gutter. Should have got a new coach with half a clue about running a football club.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah exactly. I think the number system shows that each player is pay off a team. And has a job to do within that team. It also helps viewers and commentators identify players. It would be terrible to watch during the game.
JohnDoe
Guest
Well, they choose to look at the numbers packing down in a union scrum without rembering that the numbering is reverse … At least this or the old australian system of numbering the team through 1 to 13 without reversing it for the forwards that would be the only thing I would like to change about rugby league’s numbering system, but nothing else. Who in England had this brainfart idea to think this would be the preferable way to number the backs from back to front and the forwards in the scrum formation from front to back?
JohnDoe
Guest
It’s not the jersey of the player, it’s the teams jersey and the position he is playing for them in the game. And it’s just a way to get money out of the supporters, nothing else.
pat malone
Guest
Turbo, are you the type of guy that gives himself a high 5? you dont see to have any support on this thread and havent made a legitimate point about why changing would be better. scrums don't mean anything with numbers, it just means the role of a 1/6 or 13 has changed. as for sponsorship dollars that are unrelated to numbers on the back.
peeeko
Guest
yes, he is the second play marker after the half back. that's what number 6 means, doesnt really matter with the scrums
peeeko
Guest
heres a tip - don't make an argument and say face palm. the numbers 1 -13 serve a purpose, supoer league thought it would be cool to be american and have personalized numbers. there is no real benefits to having these numbers (nothing to say you will sell more jerseys). If aussie jumpers are a gimmick because they raise badly needed sponsorship dollars that the clubs need to survive then well thats a strange definition.
peeeko
Guest
and Broncos players are members of Mensa especially Boyd