10 ways to make the game greater By Phil Rothfield

RUGBY league has enjoyed one of its best-ever seasons but there is still room for improvement. I will today deliver 10 ideas on how to make the great game even greater.Among my suggestions will be to introduce five-point tries if they are scored in the first three tackles of a set to get rid of some of the all-too predictable bash and barge hit-ups before kicking on the fifth. Also, the McIntyre finals system should be dumped in favour of the AFL model.Here are my 10 ideas:1) Clubs sell only 10 home games to season ticket holders and move sold out blockbuster matches to bigger stadiums.2) Dump the McIntyre finals system and take up the AFL system where the top four sides are guaranteed a second chance. Play all finals at neutral venues.3) 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.4) Introduce 5-point tries if they are scored in first three tackles of a set. Will take away the boredom of five hit-ups and a kick.5) Introduce golden try instead of golden point. Teams would thrown the ball about instead of hitting up for a field goal.6) Bring in Central Coast and a second Brisbane team. Extra game could be played as viewers choice on Sunday afternoons at 2pm.7) Break the competition into two conferences. The Sydney clubs in one and the out-of-towners in the other. Winner of each conference plays in grand final.8) Play Origin on weekends. English Premier League takes a break for internationals without worrying about TV rights.9) Scrap City v Country - it’s a total waste of time.10) Play three games a year at the Sydney Cricket Ground between traditional rivals./www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ways-to-make-the-game-greater/story-

1. agree

2. not sure which system is best but whatever system is used, all games should be played at neutral venues.

3. disagree. you don't want to do the draw completely in advance cause you could end up with the two bottom teams playing friday night football when the two form teams at the time miss out. I want the best games on friday night footy, not duds.

4. 5 point try would make the game scrappy. a lot more turn overs would occur and as much as I like attacking football I don't want the game turning into a 7's style game.

5. I think golden try is great idea but make it 10 min limit and then game turns to golden point for another 10mins.

6. bring in central coast but not another brisbane team (the crushers failed). More sunday games is a good idea. I'd scrap monday night footy for an extra sunday game.

7. two conferences is terrible idea. its not basketball and there are not enough teams to make it work.

8. Play origins on a saturday night and have no split rounds would be a good idea. It would give teams a mid season rest.

9. keep city vs country if only to give players a taste of rep footy.

10. agree but play a double header to the scg and really pack it out. also play a season opener double header as anz involving 4 sydney clubs.

"I did say if he trimmed down. If he was proper fit and kept in shape I am confident he could handle cup level footy. I am not saying that will happen"

"If you're not first, you're last. We were never going to win a comp in 25. Are we on a better path than.the previous decade, I'd say it's early days but yes."

"Mate it's absolutely cheating. It's giving his team and unfair advantage as to make the ball difficult to grip giving the defence a huge advantage. It slows the passing game and also there a good chance the opposition knock on "

Replies

ELECTRIFYING MAXFORCE EELS 2014 October 14, 2009 at 7:59pm

SOME GOOD POINTS , 1. i say feed the scrum properly allowing the old push for the ball ,
2. let markers rake for the ball ,
3. 10 mins sinbin for slowing the play down ( that means taking a dive or faking injury)
4. kick melborne storm out of competition
5. make public the storms salary cap
6. strip storm of title due to salary cap ( give it to the eels )
7. JUST LET THE EELS WIN A TITLE
8. Sign all the hindmarsh kids for the future
9. sign fui's relos now
10. repeat answer number 7
- TABONE > ELECTRIFYING MAXFORCE EELS 2014 October 14, 2009 at 8:55pm
  
  1.Agree
  2.Agree
  3.Agree
  4.No way it would change the game to much
  5.Agree very good point it would start a whole new ball game
  6.Central coast team for sure bring back the BEARS and no to the second Brisband team.And more game's on Sunday at 2 sound very good
  7.No way to two conferences
  8.They should have did this front the start of when Origin began
  9.50% on this one i still like watching the game but ???
  10. YES AGREE we need more games at SCG
jamesy October 14, 2009 at 9:27pm

1. agree

2. not sure which system is best but whatever system is used, all games should be played at neutral venues.

3. disagree. you don't want to do the draw completely in advance cause you could end up with the two bottom teams playing friday night football when the two form teams at the time miss out. I want the best games on friday night footy, not duds.

4. 5 point try would make the game scrappy. a lot more turn overs would occur and as much as I like attacking football I don't want the game turning into a 7's style game.

5. I think golden try is great idea but make it 10 min limit and then game turns to golden point for another 10mins.

6. bring in central coast but not another brisbane team (the crushers failed). More sunday games is a good idea. I'd scrap monday night footy for an extra sunday game.

7. two conferences is terrible idea. its not basketball and there are not enough teams to make it work.

8. Play origins on a saturday night and have no split rounds would be a good idea. It would give teams a mid season rest.

9. keep city vs country if only to give players a taste of rep footy.

10. agree but play a double header to the scg and really pack it out. also play a season opener double header as anz involving 4 sydney clubs.
- TABONE > jamesy October 14, 2009 at 9:32pm
  
  YEP question 10 sydney team only that would be good
Bosanac October 15, 2009 at 9:49am

He makes some decent points, aside from (4) and (7) which are just outrageous and frankly idiotic.

I could live with the rest though.
- Kuchel Du > Bosanac October 15, 2009 at 12:05pm
  
  1. Penalise refrees for bad descision
  2. Stop sucking upto Melb Storm
  3. Agree about salary cap.
  4. Salary cap does not work
mika October 28, 2009 at 7:31pm

agree with all but 4,6 (bring in a central coast team, not another brisbane team) and 9
Jess James October 29, 2009 at 11:44pm

i agree to all except bring back the seven's comp and the bears.

and scrap the salary cap or extend it to at least 10 million.