The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Opinion

Why the NRL should change the points system

Roar Rookie
7th January, 2020
Advertisement
Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Roar Rookie
7th January, 2020
54

I am gobsmacked that the NRL’s rule changes for the 2020 season did not implement the 3-2-1 system for competition points.

This is how the revamped points system could work. Three points would be awarded for a win in normal or extra time. Two points would be awarded for a draw after extra time. And one point would be awarded to the loser in extra time.

Of course, zero points would go to the loser in normal time.

My belief in this system is simple. Let’s say my team is beaten in normal time and your team is beaten in extra time, which is usually by a solitary field goal.

Penrith Panthers

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers celebrates with his teammates after kicking the winning field goal in a golden-point thriller. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Under the present points system, both of these losing teams get the same number of points: zero.

Here’s the rub. My team lost in normal time and your team has had a draw in normal time and then goes to extra time. If your team loses in extra time, there is no reward for having a draw in normal time.

Advertisement

Yes, you could argue that your team has a chance to win it in golden point but there must be some reward for not being beaten in normal time.

This is even more unjust if my team is beaten by a big margin where we obviously played poorly, and your team has lost in extra time after drawing in normal time.

Teams that avoid defeat within the 80 minutes of normal time should be rewarded with at least one competition point. It just makes sense.

close