In the NRL, we love to watch the game – 80 minutes in which we can just watch the contest.
I love football and I have my whole life. At the end of the day, we go for different teams but we have the same passion for the game.
However, we have got far too much inconsistency and it’s driving people away. We have seen a decrease in both TV ratings and crowd attendance and something needs to be done.
I have got a lot of ideas of what needs to be done. No, it’s not bringing back the Bears or dumping Manly. However, there’s a bit more to it along these lines.
1. Merge Sydney sides
Simple logic – Penrith, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers can own the Western Sydney Suburbs together, with six home games at Penrith and BankWest each.
Fun fact: the Balmain Tigers were supposed to merge with the Parramatta Eels to form the Parramatta Tigers but that didn’t happen due to controversial circumstances.
St George Illawarra and Cronulla – the two teams south of Sydney’s CBD – can claim the region and share it together.
We’ve got too many Sydney teams.
2. Add expansion clubs
Introduce teams for Perth, Adelaide, Central Coast and a second NZ outfit. Simply put, common sense.
3. Drop the Bunker
I have seen so many tries that should have been awarded and vice versa. It is absolutely ridiculous and I just cannot believe what I’ve been seeing over the last few years.
4. End protected species
You see certain players who get away with everything. I just don’t understand it. It’s like the refs are just too scared to penalise them.
Back in the days of the greats like Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and Peter Sterling, if they breached the rules, they’d be penalised straight away.
5. Bring back the shoulder charge and the biff
These players have got a lot of aggression and firepower in them, so just let them have it.
I get the idea is to make the code safer for children, but if that was the case, then there would be no boxing, UFC, MMA or WWE. State of Origin is not the same without the biff.
6. Scrap TPAs
There’s a salary cap for a reason and now the richer clubs use TPAs to get an advantage. It’s wrong!
7. Clean out the entire NRL board
They have no idea what they’re doing. They are not doing anything to fix the decline of attendance. You’ve got Peter Beattie, who can’t tell the difference between a Newcastle Knights and an FC Barcelona fan.
Put people in there who actually want to bring out the best in the game.
Phil Gould, Mal Meninga, Bill Harrigan and Tommy Raudonikis as a quartet could fix it up within 12 months.
Roarers, what do you think about my proposals?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Oh wow, that's the exact initials & name of my partner. Should I really be listening to a disturbed social media stalker?
Peter Murphy
Guest
Speaking from Western Australia mate and a Rugby League old school fan you are 100% right in every step you have spoken about! Yes give it to Mal Tommy Gus Sterlo and Darren Lockyer to run the NRL! Perth has been screaming out for a new or relocated NRL side for years now. I heard that the West Tigers ???? are being thrown around for relocation. Have anyone heard about this over east? Well the name will fit in straight away...
Macho
Guest
No TPAs - theres an idea but Storm and Roosters would be cooked
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
With that long a*s reply, you could have just put it in an article. Hello!
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Spot on Sprucy boy
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Not just evidence, no intellectual thought has been put into these opinions
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
All I see is 7 ILLOGICAL steps with no real intellectual thought put in to any of them. What a waste of 2 minutes of my life.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Your first point, play all STI games out of Wollongong, there goes a Sydney based team. The ideal merger for Sydney teams is Easts and Souths but that will not happen. West Tigers, play all their games out of Campbelltown. Agree with expansion but how to do it is the question. Don't drop the bunker but pull in what they do. Only communication on the field should be between the referee and touchies. One referee only. Bunker to only speak with the ref when asked to. Bunker to advise referee not tell him what to do. Point 4, sadly there are protected players and teams. This does need to stop. No problems with the biff coming back but keep the shoulder charge out. TPAs have been a problem since they were introduced. Remember Gasnier left for French rugby because of a non payment of a TPA and other players have complained. If ex footy players have the business credentials, great.
Sava
Roar Rookie
Thanks Peter If you are enjoying Rugby League as seen on TV and Talk Show Good on you, enjoy. Sava
G.Rose
Guest
Strange you come out with these Kayo figures Cathar. Why do you continually lie?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Just saw this now and posted the same thing. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Jaz, thanks I'll never feel guilty again about the length of some of my longer posts. This one could have been submitted as it's own story. ;-)
Peter
Guest
Just to be clear, when you say “get rid of gang tackles” do you mean that all tackles can only be one on one? If not, what is your definition of “gang”? What exactly is your objection to women commenting on males playing rugby league? Have you yourself played first grade NRL rugby league? If not, what on earth are you doing here? Should males be barred from commenting on women’s sports? Nah, didn’t think so. And I’m sorry, but your 6 is just plain stupid.
Peter
Guest
Adrian, I know others, notably Spruce Moose, have already piled in. I’m afraid I’m going to do the same. Your point 4: clearly you, and a zillion others, mean Cameron Smith. You should have had the courage to say so, and to name any others you include. Still, never mind. When you have fallen into the sere and yellow leaf, you can mumble through your whiskers to your great-grandchildren that you saw and hated the most evil player ever to blight a rectangular patch of grass. Your point 5: you appear to be serious. Go back and read the rugby league history of Les Boyd and then tell me with a straight face that you still think this is a good idea. Your point 3: if you get your wish and the bunker is dumped, do you promise to shut up and never ever complain about any referee’s decision ever again? No.I didn’t think so. Other than that, thank you for taking the time and trouble to write the article.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Had some friends from the States staying with us this weekend. Went to a game, watched a couple others on TV. Ever tried explaining a game to someone who has never seen it before? The confusion and inconsistency becomes so obvious and embarrassing. The rules and game aren’t that complicated - why do we make it so?
mushi
Roar Guru
On board with 5-7? He's got the wrong board in 7 and has no hope in hades of getting 6 through a western legal system
mushi
Roar Guru
With similar results
mushi
Roar Guru
Please don't feed the ibis
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I suppose that's another way of saying what I just said. If there are any other variations of the same theme let me know. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Let me know if you if you read spruce moose's lengthy reply, WarHorse. I fell asleep after the second paragraph. Like the bunker, sm took too long to get to the point so I changed channels. ;-)