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Opinion
I know this is a topic that often stirs up emotions, however, we are in desperate need of a solution for a national third-tier competition.
The key is trying to embrace existing tribalism and somehow incorporate existing clubs from grassroots into the proposed competition and gain greater exposure.
I know this topic is fraught with danger, given more prolific clubs may prosper over the lesser-known clubs, but I believe there is a carrot.
The idea is to link the outcomes of the various competitions to qualification for a national competition. This would be based on the fact that the bulk of players are sourced from NSW and Queensland, but also keeping in mind that ACT, WA and Victoria are all doing well to promote their Super Rugby players into the local competitions.
The competition could look something like this:
•Top six teams from the Shute Shield qualify
•Top six teams from the Hospital Cup qualify
•Top four teams from John Dent Cup qualify
•Top two teams from Fortescue Premiership qualify
•Top two teams from Dewar Shield qualify
Those who don’t qualify play a similar program for division 2, giving a total of 20 teams. Each team is seeded and set into four pools of five.
Each pool plays four rounds, with the top two progressing to the playoff competition, where the final eight play each other once for seven weeks with a final four, semi-finals running over two weeks.
This would supply 13 weeks of rugby and content for television while giving loyal club supporters, such as myself, some fantastic battles.
Players and eligibility
This is always tough, however, there could be some appeal to the following:
Each Super Rugby player pledges and allegiance to their respective clubs prior to the season commencing.
Each club who qualified can choose up to five players who have an allegiance to their club. Any surplus will go into a draft pool as will any players whose team did not make the national competition for the pool stages.
It would make for great theatre as players jostle for a place.
Obviously Wallabies ‘on duty’ are exempt.
The carrot I mentioned would be teams who are jostling for sixth place in the Shute shield, for example.
There is usually a cluster around that area of the table and could prove important for West Harbour, two blues or even a Gordon (my club) a few years ago.
I know there have been many options put forward for a competition like this, so I’m sure there will be more negative comments than positive, but I’m throwing it out there.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.