Footy is just around the corner and I’m sure the NRL can’t wait for the opening kick-off so the media focus ever so slightly shifts from footy players to the rugby they play.
Well, here is one rule the NRL should have fixed a long time ago. Golden point.
I never thought I would say it, but maybe we could learn a thing or two from the Yankees. I watched my first game of NFL between the Patriots and the Chiefs in the semi-finals last month and when the final siren sounded at 31-all, the game headed into extra time. It was a cracker.
The amount of advertising in NFL is way over the top – including ads between ten-minute video ref decisions – we’ve certainly got enough of it with Harvey Norman replays and the like. What got me intrigued though was their extra time rules.
A simple field goal isn’t enough to win you the game, but if you score a touchdown then it is all over.
There’s no golden point, only golden touchdowns. If no touchdowns are scored but a team is leading on points at the end of extra time – through field goals – then they are the winners. If both teams are tied still, then the game ends in a draw.
Golden point in the NRL is a farce. As soon as a game goes to extra time, everyone is 99% certain that the game will end in a drop goal – and depending on who is playing a comic drop-kicking display also. Death by dropkicks.
On the other hand, I prefer seeing skill win games of football. A golden try rule would surely make for a more interesting and exciting finish for spectators.
Teams can either go all-out attack and try to go for the outright win or play more conservative – score a field goal or two – and try and lead by the end of extra time. One criticism of the golden try is it will probably lead to more draws.
But if two teams cannot be split after 90 minutes of rugby league, is that really such a bad thing?
The NRL need all the non-negative news they can get, and the golden try might just give them the touchdown supporters’ respect.
Graeme Mann
Guest
You will all probably hate this ... but that other game .. Football (soccer) tried the Golden, then Silver Goal and it failed miserably. Adjust the point scale for a win to 3 points and a draw stays at 1 during the season proper. Then come Finals time (like FA Cup, World Cup, Champions League .. go to a full extra time period .. like it used to be. You can always get boring draws ... just like you can get boring wins. But sometimes draws are just as exciting as a team salvages something over the full 80 minutes. And yes, before you comment, I have been a soccer player all my life and the best thing they ever did was increase a Win to 3 points.
RoryStorm
Guest
Albo some of the best games I have seen over the years have been games that have been tied with 15 minutes to go with two equally matched teams going flat out trying to win the advantage before the final siren. I love a good old fashion draw where both sets of supporters are on the edge of their seats and the siren sounds and they all collapse moaning into their outstretched hands. I love it. Such drama haha.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I agree, golden point is a farce. Nothing wrong with a draw. In finals football, play 10 minutes each way and if still tied then golden point.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
David Gallop said he decided to bring in GP after speaking to fans who said they would've preferred a loss to a draw. I find it hard to believe that anyone would ever say that unless they were a fan of another team that was hoping for a loss to benefit their team. Get rid of Golden Point.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes and it's not really fair on the teams that have to win to get the 2 points.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Golden Point should only be used if the scores are level after extra time.
Big Daddy
Guest
Only possible way. Spot on SM.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm with you Spruce ! Nothing wrong with draws during the season proper. And for finals, I would have 10 minutes each way to break the draw, with golden point to follow only if still no result.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Now that's exciting stuff
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
And the referees RARELY blow penalties during golden point even where it is a blatant offense for fear of being labelled cheats. An extra 10mins would allow legitimate penalties to be blown and not result in an immediate loss of game
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
That makes too much sense for the NRL to adopt it.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Agree. 10 min without a break is more likely for a try to be scored due to fatigue and hence help avoid heaps of draws
Paul
Roar Guru
Spruce, I seem to recall a couple of games, probably in the 2002 season where there were 10 draws, that both sides had decided they'd had enough a good 5 minutes before the game ended. My Dragons figured in 3 of them, which is why I recall the "boring draw". I too want the same as you, but I still want wins worth more than 2 points, so sides don't shut up shop, but keep going for the full 80 minutes.
Nick
Roar Guru
I've never, ever known teams playing for 'boring draws' when we had draws available. I remember teams actively trying to win when the scores were tied up with a few minutes to go. Conversely, I remember teams 4-6 points down doing whatever they could to salvage a tie. I'm a fan of going back to draws, and 10 minutes each way of extra time in finals.
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
The other interesting thing to note is that the NFL used to be first score wins (regardless of type), which the NRL copied. Subsequently the NFL decided that was unfair and changed their rule, so that each team gets a possession in overtime. So is the NRL going to change their rule? They already have, actually, since the 2015 GF, finals games are now 10 min each way. So hopefully we can now go back to a draw after 80 min in the regular season
MrTickyM
Roar Rookie
My gripe with the 10 minutes extra time is that it is split into two halves. I'd much prefer it was just 10 minutes with no break.
Max Stannard
Roar Rookie
Yep I’d watch Papalii kick a conservation any day
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Yep. If it's a draw after 80 minutes, that's it. Thanks for playing and go and kiss your sister or whatever that stupid analogy is. Extra time is for finals. Draws are good because they upset the ladder standings.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
And nothing will change except after the barging, there'll be a bomb. Rinse, repeat.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
"Game's on the line boys.. how about we chuck it around in a vain attempt to manufacture a try. What's that? What happens if we cough it up 20m from our line? No sweat, we'll worry about that when it happens"