Fixing the NRL draw, Part 2: The scheduling

This is the second article proposing how to improve the NRL fixture and scheduling.

Part 1 addressed giving teams a more balanced set of fixtures while still keeping the broadcasters happy. Here in Part 2, match sequencing and coverage is the focus, with these proposals less likely to be enthusiastically received by the broadcasters.

Channel Nine covers at least three games per round, which would allow for every club to appear on free-to-air TV nine times during the regular season.

The coverage of the likes of the Raiders, Warriors, Knights, and Titans rarely approaches that figure, both depriving their fans and restricting their ability to gain sponsorship.

Every club should be guaranteed three home games and three away games on free-to-air, with a Friday night game included in both cases. The exception would be the Warriors, who would have their free-to-air games scheduled on Sundays for the sake of their local audience.

In line with allowing clubs exposure, all teams should have the opportunity to play in a regular season marquee fixture.

Currently, the Roosters, Dragons, Storm, and Warriors play on Anzac Day, the Tigers and Eels play on Easter Monday, with Good Friday featuring the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, followed by the Broncos hosting a non-fixed opponent (recently the Storm).

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The Bulldogs and Dragons also play on the Queen’s Birthday holiday, and Brisbane and Manly play on Friday night during Magic Weekend.

Taking a cue from the AFL, every season could open with Newcastle hosting Manly on the Thursday night, with the Titans playing the Cowboys on Friday night. Sunday would see the defending premiers hosting the Sharks.

If Canberra were to be Brisbane’s fixed opponent on Good Friday, and Penrith were allocated one of the Queen’s Birthday slots or given another marquee fixture (such as Manly’s Friday night spot on Magic Weekend), every club would have an opportunity for added exposure.

There would be caveats, such as the need for clubs to assist in promoting their fixture, and for them to designate their opponent in their marquee game as one of their double-ups (as detailed in Part 1). Provided clubs maintain their share of the bargain, the NRL would guarantee these fixtures at least ten years to develop.

Double-up matches must be at least ten rounds apart. Aside from it being boring for fans, playing the same opponent twice in a matter of weeks creates unfairness, with form and fitness being cyclical.

In a perfect world, each team’s first 15 fixtures would involve 15 different opponents, but the draw is already too difficult to coordinate, and if teams are going to play against each other only once, it would be better for that not to occur during the already compromised State of Origin period.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Origin scheduling itself could be modified in the name of fairness. If all three games of the series were moved to Tuesday nights, preceded by Pacific internationals, no NRL fixtures would occur with the Origin squads in camp and thus unavailable for selection.

If each match in the series was three weeks apart, and each subsequent club round started on Friday night, the impact on individual teams would be reduced.

Although there’s less than zero chance of it occurring, Sunday nights should replace Thursday nights in the regular schedule. As a 6pm fixture, it would be less burdensome on families and for clubs. The change would reduce the severity and frequency of short turnarounds between games.

These changes, along with creating a fairer draw, would allow clubs to compete on a more even playing field, while still satisfying fans. As for convincing Channel Nine, Fox and the NRL of the value of making decisions with the long term in mind, don’t hold your breath.