Sun 1st Oct: NRL Grand Final: Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos KO 9.30am BST (Sky) Merged Threads

[Harry Stottle]

4 minutes ago, Dunbar said:

I would be happy to some experiments on the changes that you specify.

On the 5 metre law.  I am not convinced that a deeper backline is any more relevent than the backlines we see today, the skill in shift plays is still evident and passing at the line requires just as much skill as a deeper line - perhaps more so.  But, as I say, I am not against the idea.

On the interchange.  I agree that introducing ratigue and having forwards who can play 80 minutes is a good thing.  I think 3 is a little too low, maybe reduce down to 6 or so.  We do need to provide the opportunity for players to recieve treatment for injury and return and 3 would push that out probably.

6 forward interchanges baring injuries to a back is what it would be is still to many.

[Dunbar]

9 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

6 forward interchanges baring injuries to a back is what it would be is still to many.

There are plenty of injuries (thankfully most not too serious) in a game.  You cannot assume that there will be no injuries to backs and I think you have to give coaches the chance to manage a bench to cover for injuries.

Spelling a forward and having him return is 2 interchanges and so 6 will not last long.  If you carried a second 9 and a utility with 6 interchanges the starting forwards would still have to play a lot of minutes.

It's all about balance.  Fewer than 6 would be a step too far for me.

[StandOffHalf]

Still on a high from yesterday. That was one of the best games I have ever seen.

[Damien]

2 hours ago, DavidM said:

Yes . Although sloppy is a kind word . They’re a joke . I don’t know if we have the genuine attempt to play the ball rule but we should , the NRL nailed that rule in about a week . From next year everyone should be playing the ball with the foot or it should be a penalty . It really isn’t difficult and the ruck gets a bit more stabilised , slowed down a fraction and less of a mess .  Like quite a lot of things we choose not to focus on we let it disintegrate if we say it’s not important 

This is one of these areas (and I realise there are many!) where it is hard not to believe that the RFL are simply incompetent. To anyone watching SL and the NRL this has been a key difference for years and it is quite obvious that the NRL do this so much better and that it makes for a much better game. I am absolutely certain that any straw poll of fans would be unanimous in that view too.

There is absolutely no reason not to follow the NRL, and indeed the actual law, on this. Instead of tinkering with rules every year, often for the sake of it, this is probably the single, easiest thing to implement.

[dkw]

3 hours ago, UTK said:

Definitely, and this tends to happen in most GFs and Origins too but it was certainly noticeable yesterday. 

I believe there was only 1 6-again all match and a 3-2 penalty count with the Broncos conceding 2 via dropouts.

In a sense you can't really do this all season as by the time you reach the final there would seemingly be no laws, but it's certainly done to enhance the spectacle of the individual game.

The only thing I would say is wrong about that is if they dont tell the coaches and players whats expected from the ref in that game, because it would be massively harsh to expect players to act a certain way throughout the season to then change all that for a one of match.

[Harry Stottle]

3 hours ago, DavidM said:

Yes . Although sloppy is a kind word . They’re a joke . I don’t know if we have the genuine attempt to play the ball rule but we should , the NRL nailed that rule in about a week . From next year everyone should be playing the ball with the foot or it should be a penalty . It really isn’t difficult and the ruck gets a bit more stabilised , slowed down a fraction and less of a mess .  Like quite a lot of things we choose not to focus on we let it disintegrate if we say it’s not important 

Seems to me like we have had the law interpretation backwards when comparing era's, would it not have been more appropriate to be allowed to roll the ball back when the marker was allowed to strike for the ball. Today a defender is not allowed to strike so the rule to play the ball correctly with the foot in contact should be so easy to administer, it beggars belief that it is not policed stringently by the officials, or put another way not instructed to do so.

Edited October 2, 2023 by Harry Stottle

[M j M]

Google 'Penrith Panthers' today for some fireworks.

[George Watt]

17 hours ago, DavidM said:

Yes . Although sloppy is a kind word . They’re a joke . I don’t know if we have the genuine attempt to play the ball rule but we should , the NRL nailed that rule in about a week . From next year everyone should be playing the ball with the foot or it should be a penalty . It really isn’t difficult and the ruck gets a bit more stabilised , slowed down a fraction and less of a mess .  Like quite a lot of things we choose not to focus on we let it disintegrate if we say it’s not important 

If you want to see the ball played with the foot on every occasion then watch an Aussie women's match. Welsby was a player who did this in every game until this season and is now back with the SL pack in rolling the ball backwards. 

Still not nailed on in the NRL where roll the ball backwards is often used -Tedesco is a classic example. Have yet to see him play the ball correctly and I watch all NRL games.

[UTK]

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8371653/panthers-keen-to-rise-to-world-club-challenge/

Penrith keen on attempting to collect the WCC that has eluded them thus far.

[DavidM]

I just watched the State Championship . Very one sided . The main interest was 18year old Munro