State of the Game: NRL results (Part 4)

In this final part of the NRL survey results series, we look at referees, rules, your verdict on David Smith and the 2015 season – as well as what deters non-NRL followers.

The following was answered only by NRL followers.

First, let’s talk refereeing and rules – this issue usually ruffles some feathers. 53 per cent are satisfied with the current refereeing while NRL followers seem relatively confident about a video referee bunker with 50 per cent of them thinking it will reduce at least 40 per cent of refereeing errors.

In regards to the current obstruction rules, NRL followers agree with them but when we asked for recommendations for any amendments or additions to the obstruction laws of the game, the underlying theme in the responses received was that there was a need for more consistent enforcement of the obstruction rules – this was, in some form, about 60 per cent of the responses received.

Also, there is the issue of the trainers being on the field for excessive time periods while seemingly mainly just watching the game and advising the players. So we asked you how long should the trainers be on the field for during the game?

Well it is a bit divisive. 43 per cent said players, except when injured, should go to the sideline for trainers, where they remain the whole game; 39 per cent chose some duration of time while 17 per cent said the trainers should be on the field whenever they deem necessary. Out of the 39 per cent who chose some duration of time, about 54 per cent think it should be up to 10 minutes maximum at least.

Now how do we sort out this divide? Well, let’s discuss golden point first. It has been a talking point for a while but after this year’s grand final, it has been talked about more than ever. 50 per cent of NRL followers said they think a drawn elimination game should be decided by 20 minutes of extra time.

48 per cent think golden point is the way to go. Out of that 48 per cent, 63 per cent think field goals should be excluded from golden point. The last 2 per cent said a full match replay is the way to go.

Recommendations
40. Replace golden point with 20 minutes of extra time but in the meantime, exclude the decisiveness of field goals in golden point.
41. Let trainers be on the field whenever they deem it necessary but only for a maximum cumulative time of 10 minutes per half. Once the 10 minutes has expired, players have to go to the sideline for trainers (except when injured).
42. Referees should enforce obstruction rules more consistently.
43. Continue with the video referee bunker implementation.
44. While a majority are satisfied with the current refereeing, there should still be some improvement so aim for a 75 per cent satisfaction rate.

Lastly in this section answered by NRL followers, we asked you to rate the performance of former CEO David Smith out of 10. Despite 80 per cent of NRL followers reading at least one News Corporation publication, you gave him 8/10. 58 per cent of NRL followers gave him eight or higher with eight being the most popular rating (30%).

Approximately 50 per cent of NRL followers in our survey have seen less than 25 seasons while the other 50 per cent have seen at least 25 seasons. 58 per cent of NRL followers think the 2015 season was in the best five seasons they have watched. 62 per cent of respondents think the 2015 grand final was in the best two grand finals they have watched. The top three grand finals according to the results were:

1. 2015 (39%)
2. 1989 (16%)
3. 2006 (8%)

So that concludes what NRL followers think – the 2015 grand final was the greatest grand final since 1989, if not ever!

But what about non-NRL followers? Why do they not follow NRL? Well while only 8 per cent of survey respondents were not NRL followers, the main reasons they said was the reason why they do not follow NRL included that it is boring/dull (27%) and the behaviour of players/fans (27%).

What could encourage them to follow NRL? Well 25 per cent said nothing could but the next best responses were better fan/player behaviour (25%) and to make rule changes (17%).

Recommendations
45. Improve the behaviour of NRL players and fans.
46. Make the game day experience more family friendly and try to attract a more diverse crowd.
47. Change the rules to make the game less boring/dull than what non-NRL followers already consider it is without changing the central nature/traditions of the sport andamp; with the approval of existing fans.

That concludes the NRL survey results. Thank you for all your input, time and patience. Hope you had found this series of articles insightful.

As per all your survey responses, I’ll be doing my next survey on Test cricket.

Rugby union could have been my next survey but due to the many ‘football’ codes, I could not tell which football code many people were referring to. And thank you for the many NRL question suggestions!

Next time a survey on NRL is conducted, I’ll include some of those suggestions but please remember there is a limit to how much one survey can cover.