Halbrowne61
Well-known member
I can see a lot of similarities there between him and JAC. Great memories !
I like the idea tbh, but don't include the NRL teams either until the later rounds, or don't play them at all. Have all the country teams either put a group team together, some clubs could probably go on their own. Start with Shield, Ron Massey and the Sydney a-grade and country teams all playing off, in round 2 or 3 add NSW cup teams, maybe even Jersey Flegg. NSW winners play QLD winners on GF Day
brains trust have talked about it,logistical ruebix cube,if you can get the sponsors 1st up,but the grassroots needs to be dragged into the bigger picture somehow
Magpie_Magic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2010
- Messages
- 3,149
The black flash was a legend who had a step and swerve to boot.
Most players these days are just big bodies.
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Magpie_Magic
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- Joined
- Apr 5, 2010
- Messages
- 3,149
Was too young to go but it was a Saturday game 3 days later against the premiers, remember listening to Frank Hyde paying out on Wests for not putting in. Apparently, only Tommy was trying. I think we copped 40. A few weeks earlier in the QF of the Amco cup we beat Saints 27 to 7.
Ironically, in 85, with the maggies fighting to survive we made a charge for the Panasonic cup and were getting flogged before every midweek game and recall Casey paying out on Wests for not putting in.
In tbe end Balmain beat wests 12 to 8, 2 tries each in the Semi in a rather controversial game which was in the middle of a 10 straight win run for Balmain while they led the competition.
They beat Cronulla in the final easy from memory.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
The NRL is considering introducing a new pre-season competition, that would also involve Super League champions St Helens, for points and prizemoney.
The initiative is a chance of being introduced as soon as next year and would provide an unexpected first opportunity for the game’s newest franchise, the Dolphins, to compete for cash and silverware. The venture is also an opportunity to commercialise the trial period, ramp up broadcaster interest and rival the AFL’s NAB Cup as a legitimate pre-season tournament.
There are a multitude of factors the NRL is considering before deciding whether the event officially goes ahead, including whether a planned competition game in the United States will kick off the season proper. However, there is a strong desire for a structured and meaningful build-up to an NRL season for the first time since the Tooheys Challenge which ran in the early 1990s.
League powerbrokers are convinced there would be strong fan interest in the tournament, particularly given the strong audience numbers generated when all the 2022 trials were broadcast on streaming or pay-per-view platforms.
English champions St Helens would be invited to compete, meaning there would be 18 participants once the Dolphins are factored in. It would allow the Super League champions to test themselves in a meaningful way outside the traditional World Club Challenge, while providing a first opportunity for Wayne Bennett’s team to build a fan following and work on player combinations in a competitive setting.
In the past, the formation of the trial schedule has been left largely to the clubs, who arrange opponents and venues between themselves based on their own requirements. Under the proposal, head office would take over the task and offer incentives for the clubs to field competitive outfits.
Newtown halfback Barry Wood on the attack against St George during a Craven Mild Cup match in 1979.
The bold venture will be another logistical challenge for the NRL in what is already shaping as the most complex draw in its history due to a multitude of factors. The World Cup, a potential US game, the All Stars fixture and the unavailability of several venues for a long period due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup are all complicating factors. Then there’s the potential of the season being extended to 27 rounds, requiring each team to have three bye rounds.
The Rugby League Players’ Association will be keen to ensure players still receive adequate annual leave and that five-day turnarounds are kept to a minimum.
The NRL has previously been able to squeeze in a handful of Nines tournaments into the pre-season schedule, with the shortened version of the game being played between 2014 and 2017 and again in 2020 before COVID-19 put the concept back on ice.
However, the new summer plans would make 2023 the most stacked and meaningful trial period in the game’s history.
A final decision on whether the US game goes ahead next year, or is postponed until 2024, is imminent. South Sydney opted not to participate in 2023, citing a lack of planning time, but Manly remain keen. Several clubs, including the Roosters and Storm, are keen to be their opponents for what would be the first time that competition points are contested outside of Australia and New Zealand.
“Growth in the game in America is real for us, we believe rugby league is the best professional sport on the planet and an opportunity to take that to a market like America is enticing for us,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told the Herald last week.
“We will be looking at that and working hard on making that happen over a long term. It’s certainly a consideration for the draw for next year.”
Should the NRL introduce a pre-season competition in 2023?
Yes. They play trials anyway and a competition would make it more interesting.
No. Clubs would still treat the games like trials.
It's a big vote for me if there was an opportunity to have all the players in the club to get a gig.
innsaneink
Well-known member
Lots of footy but I'm OK with it
9s is rubbish.
Someone suggested this preseason comp could go a bit longer and make the premiership fairer where everyone play everyone once
9s is rubbish.
Someone suggested this preseason comp could go a bit longer and make the premiership fairer where everyone play everyone once
innsaneink
Well-known member
Some clubs still won't take it seriously
That means nothing because judging by the games i watched this year we didn't take the 2022 season seriously after Madge got the bullet half way through the season.Absolutely disgraceful by all concerned at management and Shonkies level
I think there is just too many games in the season as it is. I know it's unlikely due to tv contracts, but everyone playing each other once would be ideal and fairest draw.
Would rather reduce the regular season and increase the international window.
A World 9s circuit could be a fun addition to the calendar. Good way to spread the game around to new cities/countries
Would rather reduce the regular season and increase the international window.
A World 9s circuit could be a fun addition to the calendar. Good way to spread the game around to new cities/countries
C
Cobarcats
Guest
That's when injuries occur hey, when your not fully committed.
There's one way to fix attitude problems Ink..
💲💲💲
the_third
Well-known member
yeah Cobar im with you, loved these games when I was a kid. haven't read this thread all the was but I think PVL was looking at some sort of preseason comp (for more $$$ from TV). hope it gets up as 2x trials is not great and we struggle to watch them. a knock out comp would be good
C
Cobarcats
Guest
I don't know mate, I respectfully have a different opinion.
As it is, not all of the top 30 get enough game time to show their talent and when they are called upon during the season they are not up to speed.
I think a full blown preseason comp would be far better off than trials. I don't think the 9's accomplish much.
Teams would put the effort into it if there were some serious 💲 on offer and to showcase talent.
TigerGene
Active member
Rose, Thorne & Thistle Hotel wasn’t it??
C
Cobarcats
Guest
Probably was mate, my ol fencing buddy isn't around anymore to ask him ☹️ The yarn I initially told was tidbits of my memory talking to my mate about Neil but I can vividly remember my mate saying "Hey Neil, do you want me to top your glass up, Neil threatened to punch him 🤣
TigerGene
Active member
They were the days......both great players for Balmain.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
With the revamped trial games that apparently betting is set up for, why not have a preseason comp, scrap all the other games/trials and make it a comp, unlimited interchange and more players? Injuries play a big part though. 🤔
If betting is all9wrd that means if twal scores it counts 🙃
C
Cobarcats
Guest
I'm just wondering how you can bet on trials, too easy to rig or gauge the std....subs in and out, not full strength squad. They would have to police it somehow surely.
