LO and Cambo to never host finals

[Knuckles]

The clubs have made the right decision. Its farcical to have the potential for thousands of fans to be locked out of semi finals. In the old days of the top 5 system, all semis were either at the Sports Ground or the Cricket Ground ….. the home semi system hasn't really been a success.

As for losing your advantage for making the top 4 ..... I think season 2010 showed it is far better to be higher than lower on the table when going into the semis. Only need team 8 to beat team 1 and/or team 7 to beat team 2 and clubs 4, 5 and 6 start to feel very nervous.

The home semi system is a legacy of the McIntyre system ...... and while not perfect its probably about the best you can do under the circumstances.

 

[redemption]

The clubs have made the right decision. Its farcical to have the potential for thousands of fans to be locked out of semi finals. In the old days of the top 5 system, all semis were either at the Sports Ground or the Cricket Ground ….. the home semi system hasn't really been a success.

As for losing your advantage for making the top 4 ..... I think season 2010 showed it is far better to be higher than lower on the table when going into the semis. Only need team 8 to beat team 1 and/or team 7 to beat team 2 and clubs 4, 5 and 6 start to feel very nervous.

The home semi system is a legacy of the McIntyre system ...... and while not perfect its probably about the best you can do under the circumstances.

Top call knuckles!!

The best two teams are guaranteed a second chance or a week off - and 3+4 only need to win a game in their own backyard (top-4 Sydney teams will not need to go to Suncorp or Skilled) to progress to week two!

Canberra are the worst affected - and they haven't bitched yet!

The fact that Manly players Lyon & Kite had a moan in today's Murdoch press suggests to me that the NRL has finally got it right! If Manly are claiming disadvantage - you know it's right!!!!

(Note: the NRL do take all of the game-day profits from EVERY semi-final game - so they should have the right to direct the clubs to the bigger stadiums…. Saints-Illawarra have been the most recalcitrant party in recent years!!)