It is no surprise long-time critic Wayne Bennett is still not an extra-time fan after Brisbane’s 21-20 golden-point loss to North Queensland in another NRL Queenslander derby classic.
But what raised eyebrows was North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston’s support of Bennett’s stance after Friday night’s thriller.
For the fourth time in five games, the derby was decided in extra-time.
And once again it was Thurston who proved the difference, kicking an 88th minute match-winning field goal in front of 47,703 delirious Suncorp Stadium fans.
“That’s the tragedy of golden point. We deserved a point here tonight – we didn’t deserve to come away with nothing,” Bennett said.
Surprisingly, man of the moment Thurston not only agreed with Bennett – he proposed his own system.
“I think it is a bit unlucky for the team that loses (in extra-time),” he said.
“Someone who gets flogged by 40 gets no points and someone who draws after 80 minutes gets no points.”
Thurston believes he has come up with a fairer system.
“After 80 minutes and it’s a draw both teams get one point and whoever wins in golden point gets an extra point,” he said.
“I think that would be fairer. That’s just my personal opinion.
“I am just glad we are on the right side of the scoreboard.”
Bennett has been extra time’s most vocal critic and reiterated that the system was “unfair” on Friday night.
“I have always been against it since day one,” Bennett said.
“Someone has to lose that is what it is designed to do but it is just unfair on the other team.
“It is probably more designed for the fans than the teams.
“You can’t get away from the fact that a well-earned draw is deserving of accolades for both teams.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green wondered what all the fuss was about.
“Why are we talking about it?” Green said.
“These are the rules we are playing under.
“The off season is the time to decide that stuff – rules are rules, let’s get on with it.”
mattatooski
Roar Rookie
So a team that wins 50-0 gets less then one that wins by a field goal in golden point? Not on. Huh ..... the winning team of JT's rules still only get 2 championship points. The same as every other team that wins each round. Each team gets 1 point after 80mins (just like a draw in the olden age) and the extra point on offer for the team who scores through extra time. JTs system, which has been mooted before, only ensures that both teams get 1 point each at the end of 80mins. There is no guarantee that either team will score the extra point in golden point.
Bugs
Guest
Mate, I was one of the 47k people there and it was a great game despite JT doing my team over once again. Just a couple of points to add to what you guys are saying: 1. Tuamalolo's hit on Alex Glenn was a cracking shot, and great viewing. That is what the game is missing by straight out banning shoulder charges. 10 weeks for a shoulder charge to the head, irrespective of if ball runner slips, falls etc, but leave glorious hits like that one last night in the game. Twas a ripper! 2. The umps missed a TONNE of forward passes last night - from both teams. The Broncs probably got away with a few more than the Cowboys, but they had their share as well. Poor officiating. 3. The Cowboys too, got two super cheap penalties, at least one of which ended in two points for the Cowboys. Adam Blair got pinged for a flop (I think): Thaiday had cut a Cowboy runner in half but slid off the back of the tackle and Blair jumped on top to ensure he didn't get up and run on and got pinged. I was surrounded by Cowboys supporters, and they were all in agreement that they should never have got that penalty. This game was a ripper, and there were LOADS of ref errors. There is no way either team can pick one out and use it as an excuse. Hope you enjoyed the game as much as I did.
Haz
Guest
...or not penalising illegitimate tackles. You know, the one's where you're blatantly offside (Hampton)???
A keeper
Guest
Scrap points altogether. Just add up the points scored each game. So last year Canberra finished top on 688 followed by the cows on 584. BThis would make for attacking footy!
Big Daddy
Guest
Tell that to NRL. Most fans don't want it, players don't want it, coaches don't want. But I agree with baracuda. But NRL ignore everything that is commonsense whether it be programming, extra time.
Dodgydragons
Guest
Ban golden point. Play 10 mins extra time, and if it is still drawn, 1 point each. This will stop the field goal-a-thon which is a lottery at the moment and make the teams play more attacking footy, especially if one team scores early in extra time. There is nothing wrong with sharing a point each in the regular season
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think it should be 60 points for a win. 30 points for a draw and 10 for a loss and 100 for a bye. That way we could potentially have a minor premier on 1,560 points. A team could not win a game and still finish on 440 points. That will bring the crowds back.
Norad
Guest
Revolt? They should be more concerned with referees penalising legitimate tackles than worrying about golden point. These bumps are softer than the AFL allows but the NRL referees are penalising them.
Baracuda
Guest
Norad your the one complicating things mate, if I had it my way there would be no golden extra nonsense in the regular season. Draws are perfectly fine in the regular season with extra time for finals. People need to look at the fact that maybe draws aren't as entertaining as golden point thrillers, but there the best result as fairness is concerned. Can't you see the growing disaffection of the coaches and players; there's a revolt coming. You can't have it both ways and in the end justice will prevail over party tricks.
Norad
Guest
ban golden pont. Ban field goals. blah blah rugby league whining again blah. Both of these things mdea last night's game so exciting. Anyway the Bronx got 2 extra points than they deserved after being gifted a penalty in front of the posts for a great Cows tackle that was too impressive for the referee to let go unpunished. JT's idea is wrong. You can't have 3 pioints on offer for one game and 2 for every one else.So a team that wins 50-0 gets less then one that wins by a field goal in golden point? Not on. It should be as follows. Regular time win: 4 points Golden point win: 3 points Golden point draw: 2 points each Golden point loss: 1 point Regular time loss: 0 points #simples
Baracuda
Guest
It's not hard to comprehend A drawn match after 80 minutes will result in both sides receiving 1 point each. Extra time will then be played for both sides to gain an extra point (win). If not the match will end in a draw with both sides not adding to their 80 minute totals.
Bee bee
Guest
What if it's drawn after extra time. Do both sides get 1.5 points? Or do we have to become like soccer and penalise draws with 1 point each after extra time draw. This is another alternative that seems fairer, however, too many points. 6 - win in regulation 4 - win in extra time 3 - extra time draw 2 - loss in extra time.
Baracuda
Guest
I fully support draws in regular season matches, yet if majority want results no matter what, I would be keen to give this system a try: 3 points - regulation time win 2 points - extra time win 1 point - draw, extra time loss This system includes 10 minutes of extra time in the regular season as well.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Benny didn't make mention of the try gifted to the Broncs via a pass blind freddy would have picked up.