This week Phil Gould raised the idea of introducing two new clubs into the NRL to create two conferences of nine clubs each.
The key to the idea is to have the nine Sydney clubs in one conference, with the nine out-of-Sydney clubs in another.
This idea is not new. In fact, I wrote about this idea back in 2012.
However, I wanted to discuss some of the unique benefits this idea presents, beyond simply introducing another match each week plus new teams in, most likely, Brisbane and Perth.
So what are the benefits?
Three grand finals
The conference finals system introduces two new grad finals, which could generate significant new revenue for the NRL.
The out-of-Sydney conference decider would be played at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane deserves a grand final, and this would a guaranteed sell-out every year.
The Sydney conference grand final would need to be played in Sydney. The new SFS would be ideal, recognising that crowds may be an issue in the Harbour City, potentially hosting two grand finals in two weeks.
Ideally, with the introduction of a new Sydney grand final, I would take the NRL decider on the road, rotating around all the major cities with a club.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Four more finals games
Five teams would compete in each conference’s finals series.
This would create 13 finals matches (including the three grand finals) compared to the nine post-season matches currently played.
More Sydney derby games
The conference system would create a total of 64 derby matches in Sydney. In my 2012 article, I stated that there was a 6000 average attendance increase for Sydney derbies compared to games between Sydney and non-Sydney clubs.
If the NRL mandated reciprocal membership rights, a Sydney club member would be guaranteed to see their club play in 16 derby games in Sydney each year.
Promoting the game outside Sydney
The conference format benefits Sydney clubs with less travel and more access to visiting supporters.
To counter this benefit, out-of-Sydney conference clubs would get 13 home games, compared to the 12 that the Sydney clubs would get.
The NRL could also mandate that the Sydney clubs take three of their home games against non-Sydney clubs on the road with one game for the Magic Round, one game in a regional centre, and one game in double headers played in Adelaide, Wellington or Christchurch.
So how could this work in detail?
Unlike the American systems, where conferences play completely separately, there would be a regular-season match between all clubs at least once.
Each team to play the eight other clubs in their conference twice and the nine teams in the other conference once, resulting in 25 rounds, with a mid-season break of four weeks for the representative period.
Sven
Guest
How about building up another state league like QRL and turning that into a conference of the NRL, it might take a long time but it might work
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Gus' idea isn't new. https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/03/05/new-look-nrl-draw/ It's been mooted for a while from several sources.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
why?
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
Roster size has little to do with Conference play for your season. It is all about breaking the competition down so that all teams play each other at least once (see my reply above) and you build conference rivalries around shared geography. As for the 3 GFs, nah he's just re-badged Conference Finals which would be the equivalent of the Preliminary Finals we have now.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
Easy. 16 teams, 2 conferences (a mix of Sydney and non-Sydney in each conference). You play your 7 conference opponents home and away for 14 games. Play the other conference teams once (4 home, 4 away and they alternate each season) for 8 games. 14 + 8 = 22 games. Done. All Finals are at the home of higher placed team and we move the GF around to the city that bids for it. That can happen here, Perth and Adelaide and Melbourne would bid for sure. Now the tricky bit. we have to put teams in Perth and Adelaide and maybe Central Coast (not convinced). Gold coast is culled, that’s one spot. We need to cull one other. In my not-so-humble opinion it should be either, Manly, Cronulla or Canterbury (I’d really prefer the Roosters but they have too much sway so I can’t see them ever being culled).
Beergardener
Roar Pro
This is a better proposal than what Gus Gould put forward because at least you have given some consideration to the extra travel the National/out of Sydney conference would have to do by giving them an extra home game. The other way to do it would be to split into 3 conferences of 6, based roughly around geography - North, South and West. This would keep local rivalries going and with good marketing new ones could arise. You'd play your own conference twice 10 games and other 2 conferences once each (12 games). North - Sea Eagles, Knights, Broncos, Titans, Cowboys and new Redcliffe/Brisbane team South - Warriors, Storm, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Dragons and Roosters West - Raiders, Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, Tigers and new Perth team
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
My view is ,having a conference system (because you are only playing twice or once teams within your own conference), there is an air of uncertainty up to the completion of each conference games say mid season, as to how they would fare against teams in the other conference/s. Under the current model, one has some idea whether a team is mediocre or not by mid season.Ho bleeding hum. Any system or rule change that brings in uncertainty or offers a fresh perspective can't be all that bad.And let's face it, at times the NRL looks void of new ideas.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
We need to capture the Growth areas before another code does. So establish 4 new Teams and include Gosford and Wellington NZ. Everyone plays each other once. and you then break into 2 tiers with the top Tier playing for the Premiership and the bottom tier the Plate final. Alternatively, have a 2 conference system based on locality as in this article.
Kevin
Roar Rookie
The PRo 14 works well with 14 teams in 2 conferences. 16 teams, 8 in each, home and away in conference and home or away v other conference. 22 rounds, followed by play offs with top 4 in each conference.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Apologies for being rude. Wasn’t my intention.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Population size and density certainly have an impact on a markets ability to sustain a promotion/relegation structure, but they have no influence on the successful implementation on a conference structure.
Rob9
Roar Guru
I’ve long thought that conferences would be a great addition to the NRL competition structure. For the simple reason that they add meaning to derby games and leverage that tribal element that is one of the game’s great assets. Ive always thought the way to implement it though is with a finals series where the 2 best teams (regardless of their conference) could potentially meet in the GF. I’m questioning this with how you framed your proposal here though. The idea of 2 ‘Conference Championship’ games the weekend before the GF has merit. The ‘national conference’ (for arguments sake) at Suncorp would be a great occasion. But I think the Sydney championship game would have to be played in Sydney. May be at the new Allianz for a change of scenery from ANZ where the big dance would be the following week. With the league how it is and the likelihood that Brisbane 2 and Perth will be the next 2 teams admitted, what you’ve outlined would be a good fit. Eg. Play each other once, then those teams in your own conference a 2nd time. But I’d like to think that the NRL will use the next amendments to the league as an opportunity to rationalize Sydney. If this were to happen and Sydney went from 8.5 to 6 (the magic number many commentators have advocated for), you could have a NSW conference instead of a Sydney one. As well as cutting down on teams in Sydney, bring in the central coast, base the Dragons in the Gong full time and with the Knights and Sydney’s 6- that’s the NSW conference. The National conference would include Brisbane 2, Perth and another expansion team which would go to either the Sunshine Coast, CQ or Adelaide which is makes up the national conferences 9 along with the existing teams from outside of NSW. As a side, US leagues don’t involve their conferences playing the regular seasons separately from one and other. Regular seasons involve cross-conference competition while the post season doesn’t.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I like this idea with just one change, we just do without that last game. That way we can have a national comp and Sydney can have their Sydney comp and everyone is happy.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If the code expands to 18 teams with Perth and Banana 2 (oops Brisbane 2),I see a conference system with 3 groups of 6 working. 3 conferences-Messenger,Churchill and Beetson Teams play within each conference twice ,meaning 10 games. Then each conference play the other two 2x 6 meaning 12 games. Voila you end up with a 22 rd NRL season. This allows sufficient time for 3 SOO games, an International weekend. Teams can be swapped around in each conference if needed each year.As some conferences may end up either stronger or weaker than the others, when the season concludes.
Greg
Guest
Assuming there were 2 new teams, I would like to see 3 conferences (be they official or unofficial). The only reason i want to see conferences though is because year after year the NRL fail to make a draw that capitalises on local derbies. If the NRL could actually get the draw right i wouldn't care so much. Anyways play your conference for 5 weeks. Play teams from other conferences for 12. Play your conference for 5. 22 weeks total, seems simple. If they wanted to make official conferences (as there is some marketing justification for it) then top 2 from each go into 6 team final series. This could be done simarly now with 4 team conferences. But you also play a 2nd conference twice (a different 2nd conference each year). Again could be officially or unofficially.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Need at least 20 teams for a conference system to even be logical
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Nrl wont die if they dont implement a silly conference system, dont be so over dramatic and quit fear mongering.
Knight Vision
Guest
The best idea yet put forward. Actually the only one that makes sense. RL must think boldly and move forward or die. Simple as that. It would also mean season round games leaving room for rep rounds including 9's , All Stars, Tests and SOO. The concept would take RL to the next level.
Top Knight
Guest
I don't mind a two conference system, but for mine I would go with just the clubs we already have. 14 weeks of Home and Away within the same conference, followed by 3 weekends featuring Island Nations and possible NZ vs Eng during the Fri 730, Sat 4pm and Sun 4pm time slots, with the big SOO game each Saturday night with a 730 start so it isn't too late for the kids. Then 8 weeks Conf 1 vs Conf 2 (alternate each year home and away). Then have a top 4 finals series. G1 1 v 2 and G2 3 v 4, winner G1 straight to Major Final, Loser G1 v Winner G2, winner to Major Final. Followed by the Grand Final Conf 1 winner vs Conf 2 winner. The weekly matches could be Week 1 Conf 1 Thur 730 and Sund 2pm, 4pm, 6pm with Conf 2 Fri 730 and Sat 3pm, 530, 730. Alternate the next week and no team to play Thu then Frid or otherway around and alternate time slots as well, so Broncos don't hog all the Friday games. This rotation would see no team play within 5 days. There would be 22 rounds over 25 weeks and 4 weeks of finals 29 weeks total. The players get paid enough so they should be able handle it.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Exactly!