Players torpedo NRL's wildcard weekend proposal
It’s the controversial proposal that increases their chances of being involved in finals football, but the players have no interest in participating in the mooted "wildcard weekend".
The NRL is seeking feedback on an idea for a restructured finals series in which the ninth and 10th-ranked teams on the ladder remain in the premiership race via a wildcard play-off that pits them against seventh and eighth in the first weekend. The top six would get a week to recover before the finals kick off in earnest.
Broadcasters have expressed an interest in the idea, while head office has encouraged the clubs to provide their feedback. The reaction from former players has been mixed: Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns and Billy Slater have panned the initiative, while Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer feel it has merit.
However, the stakeholders most affected by any change, the players, want the current top-eight system to remain.
In a bid to proactively deal with the NRL’s biggest issues, the Rugby League Players’ Association on Monday selected 11 members to comprise its player advisory group. The group – Cooper Cronk, Daly Cherry-Evans, Wade Graham, James Graham, Blake Green, Christian Welch, Jamie Buhrer, Dale Copley, Sia Soliola, Chris Lawrence and Sam Tagataese – have been appointed to represent the interests of the wider playing group and in their first meeting they debated the merits of the wildcard weekend.
Even though it increased their chances of premiership glory, they were against the proposal.
“The main concerns raised at the meeting were about the potential for this initiative to undermine the integrity of the entire competition,” Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said.
“Players spoke about how hard they work to make the final eight throughout the season and really struggle with the idea that a team who finishes 10th could get a crack at winning the comp.
“There were other decent points made about player workloads based on it extending the overall season for a week and how top-four teams could potentially have two weeks off, that would impact on their continuity leading into a grand final if they made it. By making the NRL season a week longer, you could also eat into the time available for international rugby league, which we’re keen to help grow.”
The NRL hoped the wildcard weekend would reduce the number of meaningless matches at the back end of the season, those that featured teams no longer in play-off contention. But rather than increase interest, Cronulla captain Wade Graham said it could have the opposite effect.
“Considering we already have one of the most balanced competitions in world sport, we were obviously concerned that people may think less of it and be turned off if this concept was introduced, which we really can’t afford at the moment given where the game is at,” Graham said.
Tigers veteran Chris Lawrence added: “The group were keen to understand whether there are other reasons why there was a bit of a drop off during the back half of the season and whether other things could be done to address this.
“Some of us also thought there was a risk that by extending the finals, the regular season games become less important, which could lead to a bit of boredom kicking in and less people watching, not more.”
The NRL is testing a number of concepts: some that could be introduced for the next broadcasting deal; others that could be implemented as soon as next season. The All Stars game and Magic Round have been added to this season's schedule, while a club-based Nines competition could be reintroduced as soon as next season. Other ideas being kicked around include changes to the length of the season, conference systems and initiatives that could maximise revenue for all stakeholders. The players are keen to help come up with solutions, but believe wildcard weekend isn’t the answer.
“We have discussed the concept with the NRL and, in turn, with our player advisory group,” said RLPA chief operating officer Tim Lythe.
“We understand the issue that the NRL is attempting to address, but we have raised our reservations with the NRL about this particular concept.
“We will continue to discuss it with the NRL and to look at what, if any, other initiatives can help offset the decline in attendance and viewership in the latter half of the season.”