MrTickyMcG
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I'm confused what the angle is here?
NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Discussion
- Thread starter Big Pete
- Start date
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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The McIntyre system tossed up some fun scenarios like the Cowboys in 2004, Warriors in 2008 and Eels in 2009 but it was a very uneven format. A team like St George Illawarra could dominate the competition, lose the opening week and suddenly they find themselves in a do or die game in Brisbane.
They could have easily fixed home ground advantage, but the other concern was that 1 v 8 and 2 v 7 wasn't usually the best preparation for Week 3. So often those games would be low quality and the top team would treat it like a training run, only to find themselves up against it in Week 3.
That's what happened in 2005 with the Eels and the Dragons. The Eels beat a Manly side that had finished the season with a 2-8 record and were really just making the numbers. The Eels had the game won easily at half-time, before they got sloppy and allowed the Sea Eagles to race in a few tries.
Meanwhile the Dragons actually found themselves trailing against the Sharks who were 3-7 coming into the finals. In the end they won but it was easily their worst win in recent weeks.
Neither team turned up with the same intensity as their opponents. The Eels especially looked like they were going through the motions and by the time they realised they were against it, they had no response.
I don't think we're seeing that as often and when a team does suffer some complacency like the Panthers they get the opportunity to work it out against quality opposition. Who knows, playing the Rabbitohs instead of the Titans may have been a blessing in disguise in 2021.
They could have easily fixed home ground advantage, but the other concern was that 1 v 8 and 2 v 7 wasn't usually the best preparation for Week 3. So often those games would be low quality and the top team would treat it like a training run, only to find themselves up against it in Week 3.
That's what happened in 2005 with the Eels and the Dragons. The Eels beat a Manly side that had finished the season with a 2-8 record and were really just making the numbers. The Eels had the game won easily at half-time, before they got sloppy and allowed the Sea Eagles to race in a few tries.
Meanwhile the Dragons actually found themselves trailing against the Sharks who were 3-7 coming into the finals. In the end they won but it was easily their worst win in recent weeks.
Neither team turned up with the same intensity as their opponents. The Eels especially looked like they were going through the motions and by the time they realised they were against it, they had no response.
I don't think we're seeing that as often and when a team does suffer some complacency like the Panthers they get the opportunity to work it out against quality opposition. Who knows, playing the Rabbitohs instead of the Titans may have been a blessing in disguise in 2021.
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Also meant that teams 3 & 4 could potentially be bailed out first week of the finals in the unlikely even of teams 5-8 all winning.
Big Pete
International Captain
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This nearly happened in 2004 when Penrith let a huge lead slip and in the end had to rely on a field goal to beat the Dragons. Of course all the Dragons fans were filthy that they had pushed a Top 4 contender only to be out of the competition but their team had been far from convincing for weeks.
With the current system, at least you're getting a guaranteed high quality match up like Brisbane vs. Melbourne straight up. Under McIntyre you'd be hoping best case scenario everyone gets through and they meet Week 3.
Big Pete
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All that rambling and I forgot to make my original point.
2011 was the final nail in the coffin. Instead of getting the return Battle of Brookvale match or Lockyer's swansong, the NRL got an absolute fizzer of a Grand Final in the Warriors. Even the idea of it being a sign of things to come with New Zealand playing in all three grades ultimately went nowhere as the Warriors have virtually been a non-entity since.
Had the 2011 been played under the current system you would have got this:
Melbourne vs. Wests Tigers
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Newcastle Knights
Warriors vs. North Queensland Cowboys
At the very least it would have led to a better Manly/Brisbane game and it would have been a better showcase of the competition.
2011 was the final nail in the coffin. Instead of getting the return Battle of Brookvale match or Lockyer's swansong, the NRL got an absolute fizzer of a Grand Final in the Warriors. Even the idea of it being a sign of things to come with New Zealand playing in all three grades ultimately went nowhere as the Warriors have virtually been a non-entity since.
Had the 2011 been played under the current system you would have got this:
Melbourne vs. Wests Tigers
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Newcastle Knights
Warriors vs. North Queensland Cowboys
At the very least it would have led to a better Manly/Brisbane game and it would have been a better showcase of the competition.
Midean
State of Origin Rep
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One half of me agrees. The other half wants to smash a full strength penrith side to win the GF.
- Sep 6, 2013
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You watch Crichton immediately be cured here.
- Jan 25, 2014
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Panthers going to rack up a score here.
