The NRL is considering introducing an AFL-style wildcard weekend to increase fan interest and stop teams from resting star players in the final round of the regular season.
Rugby League Central first floated the wildcard weekend idea in 2019, only for it to be shelved amid claims it would reward mediocrity. But with the number of teams increasing – Perth will join the competition next year, PNG the following season and there will likely be a 20th team in 2029 – the concept is again being discussed in the corridors of power.
In his fortnightly hook-up with the clubs on Wednesday, NRL executive chair Peter V’landys said the proposal was back on the table. The idea will be discussed with broadcasters to gauge their appetite, with the NRL to then relay that feedback to the clubs.
However, there is every chance it could proceed given there will be fewer “dead rubber” matches, likely less incentive for the top teams to rest players and the chance for more teams to be engaged in the finals race.
With the eight finalists already locked in before the 27th and final round of the regular season this weekend, few of the remaining matches have any real consequence. It has prompted the Roosters to rest nine of their biggest names – James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Reece Robson, Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Naufahu Whyte, Robert Toia and Siua Wong – for what would normally be the most anticipated clash of the regular season, Friday night’s clash with arch-rivals South Sydney.
The Sharks have taken a similar approach, resting a slew of stars, including Nicho Hynes.
The AFL, meanwhile, has enjoyed bumper crowds and ratings for its wildcard round. Under its wildcard system – where the team finishing seventh plays 10th and eighth takes on ninth – a combined 172,000 packed the MCG to witness the Western Bulldogs pip Collingwood and Carlton come back to defeat Melbourne.
More than 7.4 million national viewers tuned in on Channel Seven and Foxtel for the games, with the viewership for the Bulldogs-Collingwood clash smashing previous records.
Had the same system been implemented in the NRL this year, Sydney powerhouses Manly and Canterbury would have been involved in blockbuster elimination games. Instead, games where both teams are out of the finals are being used to trial a new kick-off rule, which allows the team that conceded points to either kick off or receive the football.
“My first reaction was, ‘Hmmm, interesting’. And then I thought more about it and I don’t mind it at all,” said one club CEO, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the wildcard weekend concept is still at the embryonic stage.
“If I’m in a position when that change extends our season in the future, I’d be all for it.”
Another talking point at the meeting was the advantages the PNG Chiefs have in recruiting players. The existing clubs accepted a $4 million payment to agree to the Chiefs entering the competition, but have been taken aback by just how effective an inducement the tax-free incentive has been in landing big names.
Several clubs have raised concerns that the Chiefs may be able to sign players below their market value. For instance, Canberra have tabled Hudson Young a three-year, $3.3 million offer to remain in the nation’s capital. The Raiders believe the Chiefs – who have been granted early permission to negotiate with Young – should have to pay a market value of about $1.1 million a year in their salary cap, even if the NSW and Australian back-rower agrees to a lower figure due to the tax benefits.
V’landys assured the clubs that the NRL will require the Chiefs to pay market value in their salary cap.
While there was no mention of Young’s situation at the meeting, Canberra chief executive Don Furner said afterwards: “The NRL has the ability to value the player at market value. It’s good to hear they will use those rules for any player going to PNG.”
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