The NRL Competition Committee are considering a replacement for golden point extra time in all sudden-death fixtures. The changes may even come into effect as early as the 2016 NRL finals series.
The Committee will look at other sports for inspiration, with rugby union’s two ten-minute extra time periods and football’s two 15 minute periods to be considered as a replacement.
Last year’s grand final was decided by an 83rd-minute drop-goal from Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston. The moment divided the rugby league community with comments on fairness, cruelty and whether a one-point field goal should be the crucial factor in a premiership-deciding match.
More golden point:
» Golden point has lost its gleam
» Roar and Against: Is Golden point the best we have?
» What’s the point of golden point?
NRL coaches gathered late last year for a discussion on the matter and next month’s Committee will meet for the first time in 2016.
There are several options available to the NRL, including the well-supported ‘golden try‘. Instead of extra time turning into a battle of the boot, teams will instead play until a try has been scored. A sure fire way to keep supporters entertained and combat the issues of fairness.
Another option is to follow AFL’s way of dealing with a draw, by having a ‘Grand Final Replay’. But as Dylan Matthews pointed out last year, it has its downfalls.
Wayne Bennett is not a fan of the golden point , and has spoke out against it since its introduction in 2003. The 2015 grand final was the first to go to golden point since its introduction.
Critics of the concept point to the reward given to a field goal, which is seen as a relatively easy method of scoring compared to a try.
In 2016, there have been three golden point matches including Knights vs Raiders in Round 3, Roosters vs Warriors in Round 5 and Tigers vs Storm in Round 7.
What are your thoughts on the golden point issue Roarers? Should it be scrapped for NRL finals? What about State of Origin?
Griffo
Guest
It would have been interesting to see how extra time would have panned out in the grand final if not for golden point. Assuming Hunt drops the ball then the Cowboys get the best field position since the first half of regulation time. I'd have given them a good shot at scoring. Still, you never know.
Griffo
Guest
Just to clarify, does the restart after the first field goal mean a reversal of the kickoff?
Griffo
Guest
If it's golden anything then make it "golden 6". First to score 6 points wins, you can score those points any way. Ensures that each type of score retains its value, especially conversions; a try not converted is game on but if you convert you win. If neither team has reached 6 points at the end of time but 1 team is in front they win. If level at end of time keep playing until a team gets to 6.
Griffo
Guest
No right of reply is fine by me, as long as there's no time left on the clock.
Mojo
Guest
During regular season games, should be "golden try" (10 minutes of extra play). HOWEVER, the team who wins golden try gets 2 competition points anf the team who loses golden try should still get 1 completion point!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Geez, they make it difficult for themselves...
soapit
Guest
i think get rid of shots for goal but every penalty gets a 5 minute binning
Kaks
Roar Guru
Nope. If you get a field goal, the other team has a chance to reply. If they dont score a field goal in one set of six then they lose. You score a penalty kick, you win. You score a try, you win. They do something similar in the NFL I believe.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Agreed 10 minutes extra time.If drawn then ,share the trophy.Hell the Sharks would be more than happy too have it tucked away in their trophy cupboard for 6 months.The cobwebs need removing anyway. The whole G/F last year down to a dropped pill,just gut wrenching.
Peter Mc
Guest
Take the draw in the regular season. In finals (all but the GF) - 2 x 5 minute periods of extra time - if a drop goal is slotted, the scoring team then restarts the play with a kick to the opposition - this makes the drop goal less attractive and the pursuit of a converted try more desirable - team ahead at the end of the second five minutes wins - if still tied, go to golden point In the GF - 2 x 10 minute periods of extra time - normal rules apply - if tied at 100 minute mark, joint winners (would either really deserve to lose after 100 minutes of bruising footy?)
BigBear
Guest
It can be grossly unfair, particularly if your kicker is injured. Bring in golden try for the finals this year, and introduce it for every game in 2017 and from then on.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
So a tennis model where you have to win by two or more points?
MAX
Guest
Adventurous and positive. The price of Fijian wingers just doubled.
Scott Pryde
Expert
While I agree something needs to be done - and I agree with Epi above - the whole idea of doing it just for the finals is mind baffling. Why change it just for that? Why have different rules? Seems amateurish at best. Get through this season, put up with the system we have and then go about doing something different next year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I do think that is the best course of action. None of this field goal crap, go for a try, back your defence and skill set.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'd like to see them do what they do in Touch footy - drop off. Under this rule, a player from each team is sent from the field every minute (or so) until no less than three players on the field. This opens the field right up so a try is inevitable at some point. In Rugby league, we could have a player leave the field after every minute (or every change of possession) and implement Golden Try.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
A field goal in extra time is fine with me, as long as the other team has a right of reply.
Con80
Guest
Replay the final and everyone is a winner. Extra time for a golden try or 10 minutes each way will decide the game on the fatigue and injury factors. Supporters and spectators want a fair outcome and the long playing seasons demands the best team rightfully hold the trophy aloft. While it may cause problems for administrators and TV stations that's their hard yards.
Sounds good to me
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Makes sense, especially for those contests not level after 80 minutes.