Should NRL keep golden point or go back to the old draw board? Hard to split difference

By Danielle Smith / Editor

Many fans are divided when it comes to extra time. Some love the idea of having an actual winner at the end of a game, others don’t like the change, as they were content with a draw if the teams couldn’t be split after 80 minutes.

Then are there those, like me, that after all these years since it was introduced nearly 20 years ago are still unsure which side to take.

So I thought I’d put this piece together, so those in the same boat can go through all the pros and cons, and maybe by the end we can come to a decision together. Ok, let’s go.

While it was tested during the 1997 Super League Tri-Series, golden point was officially brought into the NRL in 2003. Since then, we have witnessed 138 games that have turned into golden point thrillers.

There is something special about watching two teams who have given it their all, and then having to dig a little deeper for a bit longer. No one can deny that this system has given us some sensational finishes over the years.

Who can forget the epic 100-minute qualifying final between the Roosters and the Tigers in 2010? Braith Anasta kicked a field goal in the dying seconds of normal time to send the game into extra time, and after a 20-minute exhausted arm wrestle between the sides, Shaun Kenny-Dowall took an intercept pass and raced to the try line to win as the Roosters kicked off their playoff march to the Grand Final.

And it is a great feeling to be able to have an outright winner at the end of a Grand Final, and not have to come back mid-week to do it all again.

Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Lachlan Ilias were devastated by the one-point loss to Melbourne in extra time in Round 2. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

One of the best grand finals ever was undeniably between the Cowboys v Broncos in 2015, where Kyle Feldt scored in the corner right on the siren to level the scores, but Johnathan Thurston couldn’t convert to secure the win. Only a few short minutes later Thurston went on to kick one of the most memorable field goals in league history, and the Cowboys won 17-16 in golden point.

It’s the same with State of Origin, to be able to crown an actual victor and not just have the previous champions retain the trophy. In 1999, both sides had each won a game and the third ended in a 10-all draw. Queensland were named the series’ winners because they had won the previous year, and despite taking the glory, I’m sure they would have rather won it outright, not on default.

I can understand the satisfaction of having an actual winner and loser at the end of a game, to have a team able to claim victory. And if your team happens to be on the losing end of a golden point match, you can feel pride that they didn’t lose in normal time. Then again, you may not.

If after 80 minutes the scores are level, I can understand you wanting to take home a point for your trouble. You have earnt it. I mean, technically you didn’t lose. We did it for 95 years without too much trouble, would it really have mattered it we had just left well enough alone?

Does it matter that there isn’t a result? Isn’t a draw still a result anyway? What’s wrong with two teams who threw everything at each other for a whole game and came out even, splitting the prize in the end?

Out of the 138 golden point games I mentioned earlier, 14 of those were still deadlocked at the end. So, after all that extra effort, both teams still walked away with a point each. Without golden point, we still would have had the same outcome without the extra hassle!

And you can’t tell me that if your team has drawn at the end of regular time, and goes on to lose in golden point, that they deserve the same reward as the next team who gets thrashed by 30?

For all the excitement a golden point match can bring, it can also deliver boredom. I mean, wouldn’t you rather see a game end in a tie, than potentially watching another 10 minutes of five hit-ups followed by a missed field goal attempt on repeat?

And I can only wonder how many finals series would have looked different over the past 18 years, had teams earned the one point during the regular season and were able to move a bit higher up the ladder.

Oh dear. Well, this hasn’t worked out as well as I had hoped. I’ve just gone round in circles and still can’t decide.

They both seem to have their advantages and disadvantages, and I can’t spilt the two. Tell me, are you a fan of golden point, or should we have just left the good old draw alone?

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The Crowd Says:

2022-04-03T06:14:23+00:00

Kent Dorfman

Roar Rookie


if they keep it they need to follow the NHL (ice hockey) where both teams get points for the official draw, then the winner gets 1 extra point for the OT win. so 2 points each for the draw, 3 points for the OT winner, 4 points for the outright win in normal time.

2022-04-01T23:29:03+00:00

Jim

Guest


The only thing that bugs me is golden point ends up a game of AFL. Golden try so they throw the ball around and finish the game in an attacking frenzy.

2022-04-01T12:17:18+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


I agree apart from the replays for finals. Finals games must be won or lost so there should be five minutes each way extra time and Golden Point if scores are equal at the end of the second half of extra time.

2022-04-01T11:40:47+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


The truly exciting games that you mention are mostly finals games. It is no surprise that these elimination games are usually close and therefore high in ratings. The exception was the 2015 Grand Final that should’ve had 5 minutes extra time each way and was ruined by Golden Point. They want it to extend the payments for advertising that come with GP so it’ll never go away.

2022-04-01T10:52:34+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


I was replying to JFP before I saw your reply. I have disliked GP for a long time and have posted this system before.

2022-04-01T10:47:59+00:00

Brett Allen

Roar Rookie


They don’t get two points for not winning.

2022-04-01T10:41:11+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


Fair enough. I'll never understand hating a draw but I don't like a team getting two points when they didn't win.

2022-04-01T10:36:59+00:00

Gauss

Roar Rookie


Ok, so not boring then.

2022-04-01T10:27:48+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


Yes it is advertising revenue gold because people stay tuned for an exciting finale. I watch, preying for a draw unless it's SGI, and laugh at a field goal kicking contest deciding a game of Rugby League.

2022-04-01T09:43:48+00:00

Abbot

Guest


There’s nothing worse than an exciting game being drawn at full time and turning into a boring field goal shoot out with boring one man hit ups through the middle to position for a field goal. Simple solution, if we continue with seeking a result after 80 mins, is a golden double (2 points) requirement. I feel this encourages teams to keep trying to play for try’s and others to try their luck to get a field goal and follow up to get another.

2022-04-01T08:53:01+00:00

Brett Allen

Roar Rookie


No, obviously I prefer to win, but I hate draws more than losing.

2022-04-01T08:49:44+00:00

Gauss

Roar Rookie


Maybe. But I wonder how many viewers turn off during Golden Point.

2022-04-01T08:42:59+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


Would you prefer to lose?

2022-04-01T08:36:51+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


It’s boring because it’s a safe play field goal kicking competition.

2022-04-01T08:33:50+00:00

Gauss

Roar Rookie


Exactly what some genius suggested a few posts up Tim!

2022-04-01T08:27:38+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


If it is still even after extra time of 5 minutes each way then GP be used. No more grand final replays.

2022-04-01T08:23:30+00:00

Tim Buck 3

Roar Rookie


How about this system :- The points could be distributed as follows :- 4 points for a win. 3 points for a golden point win. 2 points for a draw. 1 point for a golden point loss. 0 points for a loss.

2022-04-01T06:46:57+00:00

Hard Yards

Roar Rookie


It’s an 80 minute game.

2022-04-01T06:32:50+00:00

Gauss

Roar Rookie


Not sure I'm reading you correctly. I'm saying the availability of three points in some games, while a normal game is awarded two points, leaves open the potential for manipulation. The frequency or otherwise of draws is irrelevant.

2022-04-01T06:11:32+00:00

Tim Carter

Roar Pro


Exactly. Being good enough to win in regular time is more of an achievement than a win after extra time, so it should be rewarded in that manner.

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