I wrote an article on here last year titled ‘A model for the future of the NRL’ and sent a list of all the teams from the NRL all the way down to the third tiers.
Some of you might remember, I also put together a season and the comments were mainly of a positive nature however there was a lot to digest.
In the comments there was nothing to indicate that my model is a bad idea or that it wouldn’t work although I’m just using the existing structures and just adding teams. It gave me some confidence that I’m on the right track.
One of the teams on my list was the Sunshine Coast Dolphins, so that is not too bad, especially when I thought of the Dolphins a long time ago when expansion talk was mainly about Perth. I am just saying.
Since then I tried to improve on my masterpiece and today I just want to send my new season model and discuss about my new Amco Cup and the women’s comp model.
But you will see other ideas that I’ve added in there that I’m not mentioning in this article, like the timing of the World Challenge Cup and that can be spoken about in the comments if you please, or I might write about it another day.
I just want to first point out my season model with 22 rounds, playing 21 games and four weeks of representative rounds and Amco Cup with the NRL eventually having 22 teams in the future.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It could work without Super League however it would be better for Super League to align with the NRL as they have 12 teams, which means each team plays each other only twice and having a top-eight finals and representative rounds. Also with their Challenge Cup it might give the competition a boost.
This is where I thought the Amco Cup could make a return, starting during pre-season and returning during the State of Origin period or the representative rounds.
This means there will be club games on during this time but the NRL teams will be without Origin and international stars, which means if a lower-tier club makes the finals it’s their best chance of winning.
I admit it would be hard for the lower tiers to get anywhere past any NRL team in the pre-season but the NRL teams are usually at their weakest. Also because they are giving a lot of young guys a run and star players usually have short stints avoiding any pre-season injury.
So it’s their best chance but if they don’t win, hopefully the scores are not too big and there’s a few close ones.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
The games will be played in quarters and have golden point. I’m not a fan of golden point during the season. I prefer a draw. However I do like the extra time and then golden point during the finals. But that’s my personal opinion and it’s been spoken about on here a few times so I’m not going to get into that topic today.
With this Amco Cup, it is just three rounds with the first round needing 31 teams from the NSWRL and country reps, QRL and NZRL.
Then the 16 winners will play against the top 16 NRL teams from the previous season. Now that there will be 17 teams and a possible 18th team joining the NRL in the near future, whoever comes 17th and 18th on the previous year’s ladder or anyone under the top 16 will play in the first round.
This would at least give the bottom NRL teams two games. However the beauty is there is no certainty but that’s also the bad point because organising the schedule is where it would be most challenging.
I would like to see the NRL versus second-tier teams taken to the second-tier team’s home ground, especially if it’s out in the country or in NZ. But that sounds like a logistical nightmare given the uncertainty of the competition and only a week’s preparation to get to these venues.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The alternative option is to organise a neutral venue but that’s not going to get crowds. They could play the second round at the NRL team’s home ground or just simply not change the pre-season, which gives country towns a chance to watch two NRL teams play against each other.
That can be circled on the calendar with certainty but I did counter that with a road trip round that could be played in country towns and cities currently with no NRL team.
But that would mean no Amco Cup during the representative period, which means teams without their Origin stars risk six competition points during the season because of State of Origin players missing club games and State of Origin almost killing the season and crowds.
So I’m not sure the whole Amco Cup idea could work in the organising departments however it could be somewhat popular if the travelling part could be sorted.
My second topic I want to discuss is the NRLW because at the moment I’m not that interested except for the State of Origin match, which I have enjoyed watching.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The season competition is played during the men’s finals and the competition only has four teams that I don’t support, mainly because I’m a Panthers fan and only the Roosters are the team to support because I’m a territorial fan.
My first idea is to have eight teams play 14 rounds playing on Wednesday nights plus a top five finals. However it would be a mistake to follow in the NRL’s footsteps and have the same as the men’s Sydney club.
So instead of the Roosters being the only women’s team in Sydney that most people dislike, I chose two separate Sydney teams: the Sydney Sea Hawks and the Western Sydney Wildcats.
They are affiliated with the men’s club but they have their own identity. You will notice in my women’s list I stole the Brisbane Fire Hawks.
That is because the West Brisbane Jets in the men’s could be a team in the future and the Eastern Suburbs Tigers could buy the Wests Tigers’ license if they go belly up and be the Brisbane Tigers playing at Suncorp.
West Brisbane could be playing in Ipswich and the Dolphins could be playing at the Sunshine Coast, taking a few games to Redcliffe, which leaves a disused logo that would suit a female Brisbane team.
I chose Wednesday night because it starts with a W and it doesn’t compete with the men’s game and would satisfy my Wednesday night twitch waiting for Thursday night footy. Plus there is nothing else on I’m interested in watching on TV.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Any added ideas are welcome.
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Ran I looked into it & I don't see it hurting the NRL, could be interesting. I was a bit confused on how it could start but if it was to be implemented in say 2023, I would have the 2022 Grand Final winner hold the shield until the following year until someone beats them at home during the regular season then it continues along it's merry way. That's how I would implement it, whether it be popular is another thing but if it can boost crowds why not ?
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Tim Week 05 - Indigenous All Stars Week 06 - 9's + Round 1 KO Cup Week 07 - Round 2 KO Cup Week 08 - Round 3 KO Cup Week 09 - NRL Season Launch Week 10 - NRL Round 1 Week 20 - NRL Round 11 Week 21 - Weekend off Week 22 - SoO Round 1 - KO Cup Round 4 Week 23 - SoO Round 2 - KO Cup Round 5 Week 24 - SoO Round 3 - KO Cup finals Week 25 - NRL Round 12 Week 34 - NRL Round 21 Week 35 - NRL Round 22 (Bye) Week 36 - NRL Playoffs Week 37 - NRL Playoffs Week 38 - NRL Playoffs Week 39 - NSWRL - QRL Grand Final - ESL Million Pound Game Week 40 - NRL Grand Final + NSWRL v QRL Super Bowl - ESL Grand Final Week 42- World Super Bowl
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Glory "I’m sure sponsorship dollars would be contingent upon the strength of the competition with the understanding that all teams would be at full strength, or close to full strength." If I was to negotiate a deal there would be an understanding that most NRL Clubs would take the pre season games as just trials & during the state of origin period there would be a lot of stars out. "No team would risk it mate, which is evidenced by the fact that the majority of teams rest their star players in the pre-season trials" I would anticipate this & this is why it's the best time for a knock out comp against lower tier clubs when NRL are resting their stars however most clubs will have to give some star player some game time before the season starts to blow off some cob webs as you wouldn't want your star players making their first hit up of the year in round 1 of the season. I think it would be more interesting competition if the lower tier teams could get a few wins, especially if teams like North Sydney, Newtown made it to round 4 or 5 would make a stir in the RL community & get some good ratings. The comp could even bring back a Bears v Sea Eagles game during the pre season in round 2 if the Bears win their first Round they would play against the Sea Eagles, that's how I would organize it anyway. The only way I would like to see W.A in this tournament would be for the West Coast Pirates to enter into the QLD Cup then hopefully Perth Redbacks enter into the NRL and if West Coast Pirates won the 1st round, Round 2 would be West Coast Pirates v Perth Redbacks which hopefully intrigues the locals to come and watch.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I started writing an article on the 17 team draw before I saw this. I don't know why they give points for byes but there will be plenty of them if we keep the SoO byes. We need to add an 18th team (Perth/WA) and play each other once thus removing the unfair draw. Playing each other team once is the only way to provide equity in the draw. I would add a team from Perth giving us 17 rounds removing the unfair draws and five weeks to have another prize to play for. I would create a knockout competition played over five weekends with three of them played before the mid week state of origins. The first week of the KO cup would include twelve teams from the state comps maybe including some Pacific Islands. We could start in mid March and end with the grand final in the October long weekend.
Jockstar
Guest
Every nrl should have a woman’s side. Don’t give me their is not enough quality argument. The sooner it happens the greater they will improve
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Max "So I am playing Qld Cup, training two sessions a week plus gym and video. Trying to hold down a job, and now you want me to travel and play mid week." It's not a midweek game it would be played in the pre season on the weekends over 3 weeks then it resumes for 3 weeks during the State of Origin period on the weekends while having State of Origin play on Wednesday night. Playing in the QLD Cup you would play round 1 against another NSW Cup or NZ Cup team & if you win you would play an NRL team the following week, if you lose your out then you can go back to the regular season in the QLD Cup. If you win all 3 games then you will go back to your regular season until state of origin is on then you have a week off then play 3 games over 3 weeks if you win every game then you go back to regular season. The chances of your QLD cup team getting that far is pretty remote, I don't see many Cup teams getting past round 2 but it would be a good warm up pre season for you maybe gained a bit of experience which hopefully lift the standards of the NSW, QLD & NZ Cups. "Oh year and if I get injured will not be at work Monday." If your playing in the QLD cup you risk this scenario every game
Ranfurly Shield needed for NRL
Guest
It’s worth looking into, Google etc. Good article Mick.
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Ran I do remember an article on here something about that but I'm unfamiliar with how it works but sounds interesting I will have to look it up. :thumbup:
Rellum
Roar Guru
There should be a cup comp during Origin so there is football on for the broadcasters and clubs as well as keeping all those who think that Origin ruins the NRL comp.
Ranfurly Shield needed for NRL
Guest
I think that the NRL would be better off setting up a Ranfurly Shield for regular season. It wouldn’t add any more games as a it would be based on a challenge system similar what is used in the NZ Rugby Union style (not the regular European Soccer style Challenge cup). A team that holds the shield has to defend the shield at Home games. What it would do is make mid season games far more interesting.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"Commercially your adding a new sponsor to the competition rather then just the Telstra Premiership so it could be extra money for the NRL" Mick, I'm sure sponsorship dollars would be contingent upon the strength of the competition with the understanding that all teams would be at full strength, or close to full strength. I honestly don't see that happening. Not when a single foot race between Turbo and "Hot Heels Harry" on the Corso at Manly led to the Sea Eagles being without their Dally M Player of the Year for the first 5 rounds of the competition. No team would risk it mate, which is evidenced by the fact that the majority of teams rest their star players in the pre-season trials. If there was such a competition though, I would like to see a "Combined NSW Cup" and a "Combined Intrust Super Cup" side involved in the competition. Also it would be a good opportunity to play games in regional areas in NSW and QLD but also in WA to promote the game over there ahead of further NRL expansion. Like I said, I have very fond memories of the Amco Cup and I would love to see it return. I was at Leichhardt Oval in 1981 to see the South Sydney Rabbitohs beat the Sharks to win the trophy that year. Also, I have fond memories of watching the 1975 Amco Cup Final replay between the Roosters and the Eels. That and "Hey Hey It's Saturday" were the first shows I ever saw on colour TV!
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
So I am playing Qld Cup, training two sessions a week plus gym and video. Trying to hold down a job, and now you want me to travel and play mid week. Try telling your boss you are unavailable Tue & Thur afternoons, some Wednesday arvos, some Wednesdays all day and will be late Thursday depending on travel. And can not work Sat or Sun depending on game day. Oh year and if I get injured will not be at work Monday. Blood out of a stone ?
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Glory "The commercial reality and player welfare aspect wouldn’t allow it." Commercially your adding a new sponsor to the competition rather then just the Telstra Premiership so it could be extra money for the NRL & might get better viewership then they get during the pre season & state of Origin time when it is at it's lowest. On the topic of players welfare the NRL said they were going back to 26 rounds plus 2 pre season with 2 byes & 3 mid week state of origin games spread over 6 weeks with some clubs expecting their Origin stars to back up a few days later. I'm proposing 22 rounds + 2 pre season (11 Rounds + 4 weeks + 11 Rounds) playing 21 games with 3 mid week state of Origin games played over 4 weeks with a break in the 1st week so the state of origin players would stay in camp for 4 weeks and not have to back up. There would only be 8 teams left in the cup when it resumes and only 2 teams left by week 4, so most player would get a descent break and if you made the Cup final your still only playing 24 games + the 2 pre season cup games which works out to be equal as what the NRL propose. "The game is one more expansion team away from being forced into splitting into 2 conferences as it is. Already, gone are the days where each club plays each other club twice a season." I would prefer 22 rounds & 22 teams each team playing each other once. I don't like a conference personally but while there is only 17 teams it leaves a few teams to play each other twice & this is where they should put more rival games on however I would rather them play against the rest of the comp first before they play a 2nd game against each other again. "If this were to happen it would have to be limited players outside the top 20 for each team with only one or two top 20 players thrown in on a rotational basis." I don't think they should have any restrictions on clubs in terms of how much experience is in the squad because there would be descent prize money and I wouldn't want to restrict their earnings if they have a chance. State of origin, Pacific Cup and a possible NZ v England would take a few players out of each team. I reckon some clubs would want to commit while others have bigger goals and not risk it but the fans want a descent quality game so more experience the better but the whole concept in my opinion is to give as many young guys a shot playing against NRL players as possible without lowing the standard too much. I think the game being in quarters would give the lower players a chance as well. I'm not sure if unlimited interchange should be applied or not what do you think.
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
No one "The midweek cup died because teams began resting all their players and it was becoming a farce. Multiply that by a million today" This wouldn't be a midweek Cup just 3 rounds in the preseason then another 3 rounds during state of origin period. The whole concept is to give the young guys some experience with out having to worry about upsetting the season points while state of origin period is on and a good warm up in the pre season that has a bit of meaning. I would expect some clubs would commit more then others if the prize money was descent however with state of origin & a Pacific Cup most clubs won't have a choice. Being a knock out comp I would assume that most of the 8 teams that remain after round 3 would be NRL teams left (hopefully not all) so I would expect a mix of experience, reserve graders & some young guns coming through while some players would rest up but I'll still watch it because it's a knockout comp even if my team isn't in especially if North Sydney made it that far, the whole world would be glued to their TV sets :silly: .
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Great Idea
Tony
Roar Guru
I agree that they shouldn't be...
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I love the idea of bringing back the Amco Cup, Mick. But the commercial reality and player welfare aspect wouldn't allow it. The game is one more expansion team away from being forced into splitting into 2 conferences as it is. Already, gone are the days where each club plays each other club twice a season. If this were to happen it would have to be limited players outside the top 20 for each team with only one or two top 20 players thrown in on a rotational basis. That should still leave the Roosters with a team of representative players. :laughing:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Amco Cup … “I barely remember it I started to get interested in league in 88 …” Well then Paul, that means you will have also missed its predecessor, the Peter Stuyvesant Filter “International Passport to Smoking Pleasure” Plate. Played on a Tuesday night at Redfern Oval, entry cost a deener. :laughing: The players would stay on the field at half time, hand out promotional durries to the crowd, stop and have a dart with them, then amble back on for the second half when it suited them. Anyone who scored two tries or more was made to sit up the far end behind the posts, alone for 15 minutes – so that the also rans could get a bit of a go, you see. Early on there was a rule permitting tired players to lie down, stick up their hand and be allowed to go off for a relaxing Reschs DA. The rather more authoritative referees of those days put a stop to that though – Darcy Lawler would growl “Get up ya sook, stop being a bludger or I’ll send you off for good!” :angry: You won’t find any record of this competition anywhere – the history was ex-sponged when society moved to the modern, fashionable, healthier habits favoured by elite athletes which Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis showcased recently in the white powder affair.
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Tony "These days, the game is played primarily by fully professional players, some of them playing 80 minutes per week ???? , who seem happy to earn more than the Prime Minister for doing as little as possible. Imagine the outcry and gnashing of teeth if they had to play another five or six games per year." Well the NRL wants 26 rounds with each team having 2 byes so 24 games each team plays. My idea is to have 22 rounds & play 21 games with a extra 3 games if you make it to the finals, so it's the same if you reach the finals but everyone else gets a break except state of origin players & P.I players so they shouldn't be gnashing their teeth too much :silly: .
Nat
Roar Guru
This has legs but it has to be at the expence of something else if it's going to be that long. Effectively formalising the season trials into it's own comp. You could bring back the forgotten State Cup teams to TV. I can see the clubs won't like the idea as everything is designed to be cherry picked for their purposes.