Every year when the NRL season draw is released many fans from all clubs have plenty of problems with it. Obviously, with 16 teams, unless the NRL can have a 30 round comp with every team playing the other 15 twice, (home and away) it's near impossible to keep everyone happy. It's my understanding that the currant draw is computer generated with little if any human input. This means there is no way of being certain who plays who once or twice. This system makes fans believe that certain teams get more favourable draws than others, and it can certainly look that way.
My idea for a far more transparent and fair way of doing the draw is as follows.
Going by the finishing positions on the previous years ladder, the 16 teams are put into 2 groups, top 8 and bottom 8. Teams that finished in the top 8 would play the other 7 teams from the top 8 twice. This accounts for 14 rounds. They would play the bottom 8 teams once. That makes 22 rounds. If 24 rounds are required due to TV contracts or other sponsorship commitments, an extra 2 games would be needed. These games could simply be local derby games or high rating games if teams finished in or out of the top 8. For example, in my system the Eels would play the Panthers once but that could be one of the games added to make up the additional 2 rounds. The other game could be St George or Souths. Obviously my example would work the opposite way for the teams that finished the previous year in the bottom 8.
At least with my system or a system like this, there is very little chance of fans thinking teams have been handed a soft or easy draw. Fans would also know by September the previous year most teams they will definitely play once and twice.
As for game day allocation, this has far to much input from TV. Obviously certain time slots are way more financially beneficial to clubs than others. I believe that every team should get a fixed and even amount of home games in each time slot. It's way more beneficial for clubs to play Friday night than it is to play Thursday night, the crowds prove that. Next season, with the new Stadium opening, this will be way more relevant for the Eels than it has been this year and last, simply due to the number of people that will visit the Leagues Club before and after games. If I had any say at Parramatta I would be requesting as many Friday night and Sunday afternoon games for next season as possible. Thursday night games are terrible and even Saturday night games seem to have lower crowds.
Replies
Its not a fair draw mate, it would be a huge disadvantage to the top 8 teams.
Agree on fri nights, its the night to play, that the broncs get it week in week out is completely unfair and bias.
We need to be pushing for every fri night we can to take advantage of the business district.
Generally speaking the top 8 teams finished up there because they are better than the bottom 8 teams. I don't understand why this system couldn't work or how it is not a fairer and more transparent way of putting the draw together.
Its not fairer because the bottom teams are rewarded with an easier draw, having to play each other twice and the top teams have to play each other twice, how is that fair?
What if BA took us to the 8 next year in a real struggle of a season and as a reward the next year we are disadvantaged in the draw?
I dont think youve thought this one through mate.
But with the currant system that could happen anyway. I just think the system being used must be transparent. There must be a reason why you play certain teams once and others twice. Currently there is no reason.
It will be interesting to see how many Sunday afternoon games we get next year at the new stadium.
I think the most fairest way is to do a home and away system. The problem is you would need 30 rounds to complete it in a single season. The season would be to long, so would it be a simple as play 26 rounds and the following year just pick up from where it ended? No manipulation just dumb luck on who plays who twice a year.