Although there hasn’t been a whole lot of debate on this topic for a while, over the last few days I’ve seen numerous Super League teams teasing their 2020 squad numbers on their social media accounts.
If it wasn’t already clear, each player in the squad has a designated number (and their name) on the back of their jersey for the entire season, which is something I think would benefit the NRL if they adopted it.
As with every innovation, there are a number of pros and cons, however, I do believe the former outweighs the latter.
First of all, spectators will have an easier time identifying individual players on the field. In my first few years of following the NRL – and not to mention a team that plays out of ANZ Stadium – I can admit that it did take me a while to spot exactly who made that incredible put-down in the corner, or who it was that took that impressive catch on the other side of the pitch.
Conversely though – and this is mainly adhering to the casual fans – but the negative to this is that it would be hard to see which players were playing in which positions. Currently you can tell that a winger would be either in the #2 or #5 jerseys, but with a lot of mid-season changing of sides, you might not necessarily see the same numbers in their respective positions.
But on the topic of identification, the biggest drawcard to this idea is that it gives each of the 400-plus players in the competition a unique identity and a more recognisable brand. If you need an example, just look at the Super League’s Man of Steel Jackson Hastings, who donned the interesting #31 jersey while leading Salford to a grand final appearance.
In soccer, there’s the famous CR7 moniker given to Cristiano Ronaldo in the #7 jersey.
(Photo: TF-Images/Getty Images)
For the NRL, we could take Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga as the perfect example of a beneficiary to this idea.
Already a fan favourite in the Hunter region, Ponga has made the fullback jersey his own in red and blue, barring a short-lived experiment in the #6 jersey early in the season.
So you can imagine the pulling power this would have and how many jersey sales a Ponga #1 jersey would make. Think how many kids not only in the district but around Australia would be wearing a KP1 jersey.
The same could be said for a number of players throughout the league such as Jason Taumalolo in the #13, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the #1 and Jarrod Croker in the #3.
The average pundit is already splashing upwards of $160 for a plain club jersey, so this initiative would give more value to donning their team’s colours. I can already envision an army of Tigers supporters wearing the famous Marshall #6 shirt at Leichhardt Oval during his last season of first-grade in 2020.
Similarly, jersey collectors would be both loving and hating this addition, following a players’ career through their jersey numbers. I think of a John Sutton collection with #4, #6, #11, #12 and #13 jerseys fittingly representing the Souths legend’s 15-year career well up on a wall.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
And let’s not forget the whole reason of this article – teams are able to tease and engage with fans on the prediction of their squad numbers and their leading players in each position (although that isn’t always the case).
After careful consideration, I fully believe that the NRL should get rid of the boring numbering system that is in place in favour of squad numbers. Most other sporting codes have adopted this style or similar ones, it’s already a staple in the English Super League, and it would be a great initiative heading into the new decade.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
1-13 relates to positions,33 doesn't . The best no 1 is a fullback. Use the KISS formula Keep it Simple Stupid.If you want to grow the game in new territory, having definitive numbering ,makes it easier. What other codes do is their decision.If it works for them so be it.
Nat
Roar Guru
Listen champ, this article is based around this very idea, therefore, talk about it we are because that's the farking point. This has nothing to do with "fixing" anything and there are no straws being grasped. All I have suggested is that it is entirely possible to play and follow a game league without the player numbers. If that's a little hard to comprehend then I suggest you going to follow netball where their positions are worn on the uniform.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Again, grasping at straws. Non-issue. Nothing needs to be fixed or even spoken about. You're making the most pointless argument on this entire site.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Nah. You earn the number when you earn the position. Being given the number 1 jersey or the number 7 jersey or whatever is a reward for the work you put in, the numbers actually mean something in this sport...
Nat
Roar Guru
Do you need a number on the back to know what position they are playing? What position is number 14, 15, 16 or 17 playing when they take the field? What position does Buddy Franklin's number represent? The Cricketers? Basketballers? It's traditional not necessary.
Nat
Roar Guru
Probably one of the better arguments presented.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Nat you're grasping at straws defending this pointless argument. Max Power is right. It's pretty simple stuff.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
I get the idea, but pointless IMO.
The Barry
Roar Guru
They tried this in or around super league for all the reasons stated in this article. It was a dog’s breakfast Maybe it works better in sports like soccer where there’s no set team formation It’s a solution to a non-existent problem
Peter Hiscocks
Guest
I’m old enough to remember when players were graded by clubs and were numbered 1-39. If the first choice fullback was replaced by the reserve grader he wore his #14 shirt. In those days all three grades played at the one venue an fans knew who was who before social media. Great system
mushi
Roar Guru
If further drives the brand towards players rather than the team, something other leagues are heavily lamenting.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
No
Nat
Roar Guru
Reserve numbers don't have a positional setting but you know their position when they take the field. A lot of sports have token numbers but you can tell what position they are by where they are standing in the field. 8,10 & 13 are all pretty much the same role. 11 & 12 don't have a specific side allocated to the number and 6 & 7 swap just as regularly. Would the simple answer be to have the players name on the back and whatever number they choose?
max power
Guest
maybe know what role the player is doing?
deluded pom?
Roar Rookie
We’ve had squad numbers for years in SL and I hate them. It’s just a lazy way to screw a bit more money out of parents. It’s a nightmare trying to explain to the uninitiated why #19 and #3 are both centres, as an example. Nobody I know cares about teasers for squad numbers. Usually the accepted starting players get the 1-17 numbers with a few anomalies. The problems start with players from the 1-17 being unavailable and the higher squad numbers play. Rarely a player will request a number that is outside of the regular numbering system. Other than getting parents to fork out extra money for each letter of the name I don’t see the benefits personally. As an aside Seitamata Sa was always a popular choice with parents whereas Louis McCarthy- Scarsbrook wasn’t.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
What happens to the Roosters supporters who forked out for Mitchell #23? Do they put it with their Pearce#57?
Greg
Roar Pro
I dont see any benefit in this at all. You can already wear a Marshall #6 or Ponga #1. How would it be different if it was Marshall #36 or Ponga #21? Also, do the fans genuinely engage in the number teasers? Is it there no other way to engage fans in preseason? I know id rather hear somethinh like who is setting lift or run records or pbs. Finally, the casual fan may recognise a superstar due to their number, but like above they would do this anyway. Its not like the superstars are changing position every week. Currently however the casual fan can also recognise position. This would no longer be the case. Lastly, to the arguement that you can better identify players making a big play if they have a unique number. How? They already have a number as an identifier. If you cant recognise that #3 made the big play how will you recognise that #43 did?
Nat
Roar Guru
Why?
kk
Roar Pro
League Lotto? Also important for NRL/ARL to ensure teams wear contrasting(clashing) colours.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Far more important to know the position.