Rugby league’s three-point moment

Just make goal kicks 2 points. That’s exactly what a 3 pt shot in basketball is. That way players can score from a distance. Right now the 1 pointer makes it that players don’t even think about goals. Goals scored in RL used to be 2 points up until the ’80s when it was reduced. Also consider widening the goalposts (cross-bar) to 6 metres in place of the current 5.5 metres. Also consider making the playing field maximum of 90 metres long. The shorter fields make it that existing soccer fields can be converted to play RL thereby making the sport accessible to the whole world.

The biggest impact of the 3pt line is the space it creates on the floor by forcing defenders to be responsible for a larger area, I’m not sure you can achieve that in league with what you are proposing as teams are already contesting every part of the field due to the design of the game. But we could create the same effect by dropping the number of players per side to 12 or 11? Most games that are struggling with “the spectacle” could do this (including soccer - though it would probably benefit mroe from a larger goal as the current goal orignally didn't ahve keeprs that could get to the posts and the corners). Remember the vast majority of our games had their field layouts and player number parameters set up generations ago when the area of effect for a defender was much smaller due to amateurism, size and athleticism.

Agreed. I usually get bored & irritable at about the Round 3 mark because of the boring, low-risk styles of play. Of especial dislike is the; 'Bash it up for five then put a kick in' game plan. My rule change to reduce this is to make a try scored when the play includes a kick worth no more than three points. (Two would be better, three is a compromise.)

My thoughts are the NRL should select 5 new rule ideas and have a mini comp using under 20s testing these rules with games being played during the Semi Finals. The changes could then be evaluated by refs, officials and (Heaven Forbid) coaches during the off season. I realise that his would need a LOT of fine tuning but at least think about it.

Albo, you put a smile on my face when you mentioned the centre to centre runaround.I first saw it at a local first grade game in Wollongong.it worked out perfect. We were so impressed we practiced it at training that week, u14s I think. We walked it several times, then jogged it till eventually we had it down pat. So many variations for 1 move, the winger could stay in position or create a double runaround, the fullback could come back on the inside, the perfect move, and we had it perfect, well until the actual game, playing FB the move was called and everything ran perfect, well at least until we gave ourselves too many options ,confusion reigned and I collided with both centres. More rehearsals with less options were required. Fun memories.

Your point is well made Gavin, but it misses the mark. You want to see more exciting tries scored which is the same issue that's been a part of Rugby League ever since it was created.We have the rules in place to do exactly what you suggest but two things need to happen; the first is for referees to get sides onside and keep them there and the second is for coaches to allow their sides to play open and attacking footy once they have more room to move. Throw in Albo's suggestion of getting rid of interchanges and you'll quickly see lots of spectacular tries scored

Albo on the money; I think changing the interchange rules would have the biggest impact on the game as a spectacle.

In theory it’s ok but in reality, who knows

Exciting or predictable? By the end of the season, teams worked them out and they couldn't score points. Not sure that is the best example.

Would this apply to a try scored from an a goal line attacking error made by the opposition eg. intercept, mistimed kick on 5th that leads to a defensive runaway try? Surely a team trying to score a four pointer shouldn’t be punished with a 6 pointer the other way for an error in the process. Will a player voluntarily submit to a tackle on his 49m line instead of pushing forward if he knows there’s an overlap on the next play? Does a player who can score a long range try become more valuable all of sudden? I’m not sure this idea limits the wrestle and actually probably puts more emphasis on it particularly defending in the opposition 50. League isn’t a game that is intended to reward Hail Marys.

Seibold made Souths exciting last year with their sweeping backline movements down their left side, maybe some coaches should look at creating movements like that as it certainly made the game more exciting.

I would get rid of the interchange altogether ! It has been a total blight on the game that has led to the one dimensional play & copied team strategies that we have today, that in turn leads to articles like this one ! Variety of player types and different try scoring events have been long lost in the pursuit of the total power and impact focus that the interchange has brought to our game. All players are now the same type of bodies with the slightly quicker ones playing in the outside backs and the rest sharing stints in the pack & bench. The creative players in the halves are now few and far between as they first need to be defensive geniuses able to make 30 tackles a match on the opposing rampaging titans aimed continuously at them for 80 minutes. Then if they can't create match winning plays with their battered and bruised bodies they are criticised as "overrated" . Bring back the 80 minute players. Bring back options to play the Greg Alexanders & Phil Blakes. Bring back a full backline movement, or centre to centre runaround ( who remembers that one ?) . Just give us some variety.

i think its totally false that football applauds entertainers that dont win and RL does not. People waxed lyrical about the tigers and cowboys for a decade and they hardly won

A possible 8pt try could be incentive enough take the chance. Imagine the endings we could have with the ability to cover 16pts w/ 2 tries in the last few minutes. I bet the Panthers would all for it.

Yep , mistakes inside your own half are quite often the source of points being scored against you, due to your defence not being set. I doubt too many coaches would be willing to regularly take that risk. And ppffffttt , Soccer entertaining? I always keep an A league game on my laptop when I go on long flights , I know that of nothing that puts me to sleep ???? quicker.

The AFL has been trialing the super goals from Outside 50 in the preseason comp for at least 5 years and I think most would agree it hasn't added to the spectacle. I don't mind tinkering with the rules, but don't make it harder to follow or understand for the new spectator. If there is an issue with scoring it is that a conversion from the sideline is worth the same as one right in front - even though it requires far more skill and, invariably, the try scored out wide is more exciting and/or an illustration of attacking execution through set plays.

I seem to recall the idea being introduced into touch footy many years ago and having no impact. It's not the same sport but the result could well be the same. I would be happy to see it trialed to find out however. The 3 point rule works well in basketball because the chance of success is relatively high but planning to score from more than 50 metres out in league is going to fail most times and coaches aren't going to be happy if this failure involves a mistake.

So u are stealing twiggy forrests idea and adapting it to league.still not a bad idea

Ben Barba, Matt Bowen and Billy Slater scored plenty of tries.

You know Bowen and Slater are retired right, this article is fifteen years too late