10 ways to improve rugby league

[Juro]

**Fans say scrap golden point**
By Phil Rothfield From: The Daily Telegraph October 15, 2009 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ways-to-make-the-game-greater/story-e6frexnr-1225786452368
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RUGBY league's loyal fans have banded together to send a powerful message to the NRL - it's time for golden try.
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In an exclusive Daily Telegraph online poll, hundreds of fans demanded the game's hierarchy scrap the golden point, claiming it is too predictable.
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The result was part of a wide-ranging Daily Telegraph poll that featured 10 suggestions - compiled by Executive Sports Editor Phil Rothfield - to make the greatest game of all even greater.
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"Golden try would make teams play some footy - we don't play enough footy these days," said former Australian fullback Garry Jack. "It would stop five hit-ups and then a field goal. Golden try would 100 per cent add to the excitement."
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NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said his organisation had previously discussed golden try with the clubs.
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"But there were genuine concerns about extending the length of games any further given the workload of the players in what is already a long season," Annesley said.
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Former Kangaroo Wayne Pearce agreed: "It could wear the players out too much."
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The Daily Telegraph's Dean Ritchie approached a number of current and former stars, along with high-ranking officials, to discover their opinions on Rothfield's suggestions.
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Former premiership-winning coach Michael Hagan agreed that clubs must move at least home finals from suburban grounds to larger stadiums for revenue purposes.
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"I think we have to look at the bigger picture in regards to moving big games to bigger stadiums," Hagan said.
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"In a final, the games should be moved.
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"Clubs shouldn't just be thinking about the result but, rather, the big picture."
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Glenn Lazarus, the legendary prop who won titles at three clubs, agreed the home finals system should be scrapped.
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"I know CEOs like home finals because it means more revenue. But I'd like all finals played at the SFS or ANZ Stadium. They should all be played in Sydney," Lazarus said.
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"For the players, it would then feel like a final, not just another home game."
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Knights CEO Steve Burraston hit out at suggestions that Central Coast should be drafted into the NRL competition.
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"I don't think the Central Coast has the population or the business population to support a side. The demographics would support that," Burraston said.
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"A Central Coast team would be looking to pinch players north and south so that would be detrimental to us and Manly. A second Brisbane side is a possibility. It has legs but maybe Perth is a better option."
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Manly coach Des Hasler was asked whether he would keep City-Country on the rugby league agenda.
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"I have assessed it and from a coaching point of view, the game is a massive injury risk. I think we can do without it, to be truthful," Hasler said. "I don't think it is a genuine trial for State of Origin. Man-of-the-match winners in this game have missed Origin selection."
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However, plenty of fans - especially those in rural areas - strongly disagreed with Hasler and called for City-Country to be retained to help promote footy in the bush.
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Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen revealed his main dislike about rugby league.
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"I hate the uncontested scrum. It's too predictable and it's sloppy," Cullen said.
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"I think the unpredictability of who wins a scrum would add something to the game."
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**Suggestions**
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**Should clubs sell only 10 home games to season ticket holders and move sold out blockbuster matches to bigger stadiums?**
Yes 47.65% (1084 votes)
No 52.35% (1191 votes)
Total votes: 2275
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**Should the NRL dump the McIntyre finals system and take up the AFL system where the top four sides are guaranteed a second chance?**
Yes 67.31% (1577 votes)
No 32.69% (766 votes)
Total votes: 2343
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**Should the NRL do the entire draw in advance with days of the week nominated at the start of the year so fans can plan flights and weekends?**
Yes 80.64% (2649 votes)
No 19.36% (636 votes)
Total votes: 3285
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**Should the NRL introduce 5-point tries if they are scored in the first three tackles of a set to take away the boredom of five hit-ups and a kick?**
Yes 34.97% (988 votes)
No 65.03% (1837 votes)
Total votes: 2825
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**Should the NRL introduce golden try instead of golden point so teams would throw the ball about instead of hitting up for a field goal?**
Yes 74.9% (2355 votes)
No 25.1% (789 votes)
Total votes: 3144
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**Should the NRL bring in a Central Coast side and a second team from Brisbane?** Yes 63.94% (2179 votes)
No 36.06% (1229 votes)
Total votes: 3408
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**Should the NRL be broken into two conferences - the Sydney clubs in one and the out-of-towners in the other, with the winner of each conference to play in the Grand Final?**
Yes 13.46% (313 votes)
No 86.54% (2012 votes)
Total votes: 2325
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**Should Origin be played on weekends?**
Yes 63.9% (1469 votes)
No 36.1% (830 votes)
Total votes: 2299
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**Should City v Country be scrapped?**
Yes 47.86% (1084 votes)
No 52.14% (1181 votes)
Total votes: 2265
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**Should the NRL play three games a year at the Sydney Cricket Ground between traditional rivals?**
Yes 73.31% (2277 votes)
No 26.69% (829 votes)
Total votes: 3106

 

[Juro]

And now my thoughts…

**Should clubs sell only 10 home games to season ticket holders and move sold out blockbuster matches to bigger stadiums?**
No. I'd much rather have 20,000 at Campbelltown or Leichhardt than 25,000 at Homebush!

**Should the NRL dump the McIntyre finals system and take up the AFL system where the top four sides are guaranteed a second chance?**
No. I can't see how the AFL system is better. Both systems will occassionally give strange results.

**Should the NRL do the entire draw in advance with days of the week nominated at the start of the year so fans can plan flights and weekends?**
Yes. Is it really too much to ask for this? How many other major sporting competitions around the world do not do this?

**Should the NRL introduce 5-point tries if they are scored in the first three tackles of a set to take away the boredom of five hit-ups and a kick?**
No. Does he really think this will change behaviour that much? All it will do is reward teams that start their set of 6 inside the opposition 20\. Barging over from dummy half is not all that interesting anyway.

**Should the NRL introduce golden try instead of golden point so teams would throw the ball about instead of hitting up for a field goal?**
No. Golden try will just mean that teams will give away penalties rather than let in tries. If teams can't be separated after 80 minutes, what are the chances of them scoring a try in the following 10 minutes? Just scrap golden point in the regular season. There is nothing wrong with a draw!

**Should the NRL bring in a Central Coast side and a second team from Brisbane?**
I'd be happy for a central coast team but would think they should choose somewhere other than Brisbane for another team. How about we try to expand the game?

**Should the NRL be broken into two conferences - the Sydney clubs in one and the out-of-towners in the other, with the winner of each conference to play in the Grand Final?**
No. It is not the end of the world for no Sydney teams to compete in the grand final. This idea would never allow 2 Sydney teams to compete in the grand final too. Let the best 2 teams compete, regardless of where they call home.

**Should Origin be played on weekends?**
No. Do they really want no rugby league to be played for the rest of the weekend?

**Should City v Country be scrapped?**
No. It gives a chance for players on the verge of Origin to show what they can do. How does getting rid of it make the game better?

**Should the NRL play three games a year at the Sydney Cricket Ground between traditional rivals?**
No. The SCG has history but nothing else. It is not a rugby league ground and is not good for the spectators. That's why they built the SFS!

So out of the 10 ideas, I say yes to 1.5 of them. Not very impressive...

 

[Yossarian]

I agree with most of your points Juro but I do think there is some merrit in playing big games at the SFS or Homebush. However it has to remain in the club's hands or be applied evenly. It's not really fair to move say Penrith v Parramatta and leave the Cowboys to play every game in a similar sized stadium.

Don't care about a Central Coast team and I live on the Coast.

 

[NJLM78]

I agree with Juro on the Golden point rule. There isn't anything wrong with a draw. Semis are different obviously but in the competion rounds if the score is equal at fulltime then that is how it should stay. Maybe I would think differently if the Tigers had won a few more golden point games. Still remember Skando's last 'official' game at C'town against the Raiders in 06\. We should have won that. I wouldn't be sorry to see that Golden Point rule go.

 

[Tigerdave]

Pretty much agree with Juro too, especially golden point, just scrap the stupid thing, nothing wrong with a draw

 

[Peaches]

I too agree with Juro. Must be a good bloke.

Too many "rule changes" which are all not really rules. Actual rule changes involve:
- control off the ball when grounding, not losing contact.
- contact with the corner post is only there to distinguish where the ball has gone out and is not classed as out when touched.
- a 20m post (same size and dimension as corner post) which once again is not classed as out if touched.
- abolish double movement. Play is continued until held is called. Therefore no grey area.
- A compulsory re-start of the set with no kick-for-touch for lesser penalties. These penalties cannot also lead to kicks at goals.

There are plenty of other rule that can be changed too.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Should clubs sell only 10 home games to season ticket holders and move sold out blockbuster matches to bigger stadiums?
No, if bandwagoners can't get tickets because they wait until their side wins 5 in a row before trying to go to them game, then bugger them

Should the NRL dump the McIntyre finals system and take up the AFL system where the top four sides are guaranteed a second chance?
No, it's barely better than the current system we use (if it is at all better)

Should the NRL do the entire draw in advance with days of the week nominated at the start of the year so fans can plan flights and weekends?
Yes, he got 1 right

Should the NRL introduce 5-point tries if they are scored in the first three tackles of a set to take away the boredom of five hit-ups and a kick?
No, A try is a try, 4 points no matter how many kicks, passes or falcons are involved

Should the NRL introduce golden try instead of golden point so teams would throw the ball about instead of hitting up for a field goal?
No, if a field goal is allowed in the 79th minute it's allowed in the 83rd minute (if we must have extra time that is)

Should the NRL bring in a Central Coast side and a second team from Brisbane?
CC and Perth for the next TV rights deal will add more value than CC and Brisbane

Should the NRL be broken into two conferences - the Sydney clubs in one and the out-of-towners in the other, with the winner of each conference to play in the Grand Final?
No, it's unfair that one half of the draw barely have to leave their local suburb for games, while the other half have to go interstate every second week. Unless the NRL compensates the out of town teams with higher grants to cover flight and accomodation costs, it's not viable

Should Origin be played on weekends?
No, it's fine on a Wednesday, get's a bit longer for the build up and gives some kids the chance to make the debut in the lead up week.

Should City v Country be scrapped?
No, it gives the chance for 2 players battling for one position a pressure test (Farah vs Ennis, Wallace vs Mullen). It also gives younger players a taste of a rep football camp

Should the NRL play three games a year at the Sydney Cricket Ground between traditional rivals?
No, terrible ground for viewing RL. The ground next door is much much better I hear.

Rothfield is a dribbler, and this just proves it.

 

[Jazza]

One rule Id change, is get rid of the dominant/surrender crap.
Let the refs say nothing and if they feel the players have been lying on the tackle to long, blow a penalty.
The players will figure out how long they can lie on tackles for, and it'll allow some flexibility and discretion for the refs because certain types of tackles wont be categorised.
Let the coaches coach, and the refs ref.

And then theres the obstruction rule, surely they can do something with that!

 

[alien]

**Should clubs sell only 10 home games to season ticket holders and move sold out blockbuster matches to bigger stadiums?**
Nope. If a team wants to play all their homes games at one stadium then they should be allowed to and not be pressured by the NRL to move it. If the club wants to move a game or games to a bigger venue to earn more cash then they should be allowed to.

**Should the NRL dump the McIntyre finals system and take up the AFL system where the top four sides are guaranteed a second chance?**
I don't care either way. Both systems have advantages and disavantages

**Should the NRL do the entire draw in advance with days of the week nominated at the start of the year so fans can plan flights and weekends?**
Ofcourse. More fans would travel if they could book earlier/cheaper

**Should the NRL introduce 5-point tries if they are scored in the first three tackles of a set to take away the boredom of five hit-ups and a kick?**
Hell no. Teams don't always score on the last tackle anyway.

**Should the NRL introduce golden try instead of golden point so teams would throw the ball about instead of hitting up for a field goal?**
Yes, for the finals. For the 26 rounds it should be a draw if scores are level after 80 mins

**Should the NRL bring in a Central Coast side and a second team from Brisbane?**
For sure. There is enough depth in Brisbane to have a second Brisbane side. The broncos basically have all players from the QLD Cup teams in Brisbane as depth if they get injuries. The teams in Sydney have to share. This will also make the Broncos a bit weaker, which I like. They hated it when Gold Coast and South Queensland first entered first grade. That's why the Broncos liked Super League because they wanted to be the only team in South East Queensland.

Central Coast yes IF it's the Bears. I don't like how they were kicked out. They wanted to do the right thing by moving to the Central Coast but were given the flick. Strange how Melbourne can get payed millions per year to stay alive but a club with decades tradition didn't get the help they needed. Disgusting.

**Should the NRL be broken into two conferences - the Sydney clubs in one and the out-of-towners in the other, with the winner of each conference to play in the Grand Final?**
Nope. When 2 Sydney teams make the Grand Final the feeling in the Sydney area in the lead up to the Grand Final is great. We couldn't have 2 Sydney sides in the grandfinal if we had 2 conferences

**Should Origin be played on weekends?**
It should be a stand alone game on the Saturday night. That way ALL the focus and talk duiring the week leading up to the Origin will be about the Origin and not NRL matches. Also some players back up a few days later to play for their clubs and it wears them out. By the time they get to the finals they could be worn out or injured. We really want to see the biggest stars play their best footy in the finals. Also they have to miss the weekend before the Origin, which can also be annoying for those that coach a Fanatasy side LOL. Another reason to have the Origin on the Saturday night is more fans would travel to the enemy state if it's on a Saturday night. I would love to go to Brisbane and experience Origin at Lang Park, but during the week it's just too hard. Also alot of young kids would miss out going to the game on Wednesday night because their parents wouldn't want them staying up late when they have school the next day. I think it's a good memory to have going to an Origin match when your young.

**Should City v Country be scrapped?**
It's good to have a game like this in the country areas. All promotion of Rugby League in the country areas is a good thing but they need to have all the best NSW players in the game for it to have respect. They need to include the players that are probables for the Origin side, not just possibles.

**Should the NRL play three games a year at the Sydney Cricket Ground between traditional rivals?**
I think it should be up to the home team. If a club wants to have a home game at SCG then so be it, but they shouldn't be forced by the NRL to move it there. Personally I hate it when we play there. I know it's got alot of tradition but so does Lidcombe Oval. The SCG is awful for Rugby League. Too far from the field LOL ;-D