The NRL have locked in the TV deal and released a reasonable draw – it’s certainly an improvement on last year’s fixture. So what do they plan to do until the Auckland Nines kick off in February?
I’ve got five things they could fix this summer to make next year more enjoyable for fans.
1. The ruck
Watching the ruck is frustrating, as certain teams’ tacklers slowly wrestle the ball-carrier to the ground and then pretend their hand is stuck, while the refs don’t do anything about it.
Reward hits that put the player quickly on the ground, but when it comes to the gang tackle (let’s be honest, it’s a cuddle), make the players drop off as soon as the momentum is stopped, or roll away as soon as the player is on the ground. Turning them on their back should be penalised as should lying on them.
To make sure it doesn’t turn into a game of touch, make sure the attacking player actually plays the ball properly, using their foot. Some play the balls this year were closer to primary school tunnel ball than real rugby league.
It will take a few extra penalties in the first month of footy, but if enforced properly it should result in a cleaner ruck, fewer dropped balls, and in the long term fewer ruck penalties.
2. The video ref
Limit the use of the video ref to referring only on the act of the scoring the try. Forget about obstruction, offside from the kick, a potential knock-on earlier in the play – that’s what the two refs and two touch judges are for. Make a call boys.
Too often last year the ref wouldn’t call a knock-on or obstruction, thinking they could go to the video, only for the player to be tackled and score off the next play.
Make the on-field officials make more decisions. There will be fewer delays in our game and fewer kids eating KFC.
3. The sin bin
Bring in the five-minute sin bin and use it. If a push and shove breaks out, five minutes for the instigators. If there are repeated ruck infringements or penalties, five minutes in the bin. Professional foul? Five minutes.
And if there is dangerous play like spear tackles or stiff arms, give the offending player 10 minutes in the bin. Refs seem to have forgotten about the send off, but a dangerous tackle should have more punishment than a normal penalty, particularly when the player is injured.
It will help clean up play and make sure players think twice about doing something stupid.
4. The crowds
The NRL did a great job with ticket prices for the 2015 finals series, and we had record crowds as a result. To be able to get a $20 ticket for myself and a $10 ticket for my son meant we went to two finals games for the same price as one regular-season game. So make the ticket prices flow on to the regular season.
I’ve got no problem with the NRL forcing clubs to drop their ticket prices. Do we want 10,000 people paying $40 a ticket or 20,000 paying $20 a ticket? Make it affordable and people will come. Too expensive and we’ll just stay home and watch it on TV.
5. Access to players for media and fans
In the NFL, after the game or training the media can interview any player they want. Clubs don’t trot out one fringe first-grader at the end of training like NRL clubs. There are no media bans.
Fans want to hear from the big names, their favourite players. Give the media more access and let us hear from the stars of the game. The media will then have no excuses, and will likely stop the gossip articles and search for scandal, and write more positive league stories.
Okay, so no. 5 is probably a pipe dream, but if we can get points 1 to 4 happening, we’ll have a much better season in 2016.
Over to you for your thoughts, Roarers.
boonboon
Roar Pro
Cheaper tickets do not make for equally bigger crowds. The problems with "Do we want 10,000 people paying $40 a ticket or 20,000 paying $20 a ticket?" are in reality it would be do we want 10k paying $40 a ticket or 12k paying $20 a ticket. Also depending on the club it is already much cheaper then the $40 you quote. As a Tigers member for an ANZ stadium package for example I get 8 games for $84 dollars and that includes a lot of other benefits so you would say less then $10 a game already and it isn't just the Tigers with these kind of packages. I don't have time to explain what will hep because I agree that crowds need to be a focus but it isn't ticket prices to any significant degree
jim
Guest
Fix the crowds! For the love of Zeus!
Geoff Evans
Guest
Dow, dont make it any more difficult for the Referees, Your card system makes no sense at all. Just go back to the old system of 5 min sin bins or send off.The Refs these days dont have the guts to send players to the sin bin let alone send them off.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I'd like to see a card system llike Soccer and Union. Maybe have 3 cards. Yellow card is 10mins in the bin, but if the other team scores you can come back on, Orange card is 10mins in the bin, you must serve all 10min. Red is sent off. Gives ref's options, especially to use the Yellow card as if a team takes a shot at goal/penalty off the foul and gets it, it means that the fouler comes straight back on. So in essence it in itself may promote teams taking more chances to score a try.
ChrisinMonaco
Guest
Change the 6 tackle dead ball rule. Only Kicks they go dead outside the oppositions 40m line to be given a extra tackle.
Geoff Evans
Guest
Michael, I agree with you on most of your items . 1. players should be made to play the ball with the foot, not just step over it. The Refs are to slack in this regard. 2. Video Refs for trys only. Also go back to one Referee only like England Superleague. As it is at present one Ref makes a call and the other Ref overrules him. 3. Bring back the 5 minute sinbin for professional fouls nigglers like Ennis and Josh Reynolds. They only do it because they know that they will not be penalised or punched. 4. Totally agree. 5. All nrl players are available after a game for interviews . I dont see a problem with them having to interview fringe first graders after training as is gives them a feeling of importance and their family gets to see them. Well writen article Michael.
Birdy
Guest
U I t north, Read qconnors again, Video ref for tries only, and captains call to a max of twice a half. I see that as speeding the game up.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I meant a stiff swinging arm, but you got me on that one
up in the north
Roar Rookie
The niggle. Bloody hate it. Make any contact with the head an offence, condescending head pats included. Not too keen on captains challenge, it will just turn into another moan session for slowing the game down. FFS there's six officials on the field, mic' them up, make them communicate with each other on the fly and enforce the already established rules. Video should be used for grounding and a few in-goal situations, but when they go back 95 metres and rule a forward pass at the beginning of a try scoring run just screams incompetence.
Birdy
Guest
I think that's brilliant, the only way to bring in a successful captains challenge is by limiting the use of the video ref to try scoring only. If 2 refs, 2 linesman and 26 players can't pick up a fowl , let the game flow . On crowds ,that's a gimme. Lower prices and family friendly game times.
QConners
Roar Pro
I think there should be a captains challenge introduced for the video ref. captains only get 1 or 2 wrong reviews a half. Also just to clarify, a 'stiff arm' is just American for 'fend' or 'palm'.
Justthetip
Guest
Hopefully the NRL dont suffer administration burn out and need a reduced schedule. There's a lot to be done as you have pointed out. 1. I have agreed with you in the past but I'm seeing the evolution of attacking teams implementing tactics to get themselves quicker play the balls. The Cowboys, Broncos and Maroons all successfully implemented it this season and they had the most success. The drop in interchange and time limit on stoppages will be interesting. Imo the dogs will struggle the most with the changes. Supriaingly I have been fine with the refs being loose with the attacker in the play the ball. The Status quo was too firmly with defence. I'm also happy to see a lack of penalties for obstructions off bombs. What a cheap way to score 4 points. Nowhere near worth the same as running one in or even the use of clever short kicks. 2. Strongly agree but I think that ones in our dreams till at least the end of the new TV deal. 3. Surely this ones a no brainer. It's insane it's not already in place. 4. That would work. It would certainly get me at more games. 5. I like hearing from fringe players over the same stars all the time. Interview the stars after games and on the different talk shows. You end up getting a straight bat most the time. The fringe players have worked so hard to get where they are and their time in 1st grade could be short. Give them airtime if they want it and a back story of there journey to where they are now would be unreal to watch. Anyway just my thoughts and good to see fans thinking about the games direction so much.