VOTE Do you believe NRL games/seasons are systematically influenced to favour certain results?

[theshed]

do you believe the NRL influences results (via means such as refereeing instructions, season draws, suspension discrepancy, video ref decisions, overlooking or choosing to act on clubs breaking rules/breaching cap etc) to achieve storylines or circumstances that best benefit the NRL as a business?


If so, please share your hypothetical rugby league conspiracy theories.

 

[Super Freak]

No, I just think we have a bunch of idiots at NRL HQ.

Especially in their legal department.

 

[Nashy]

I think the rules are enforced in a way to make sure games are tight, and the only time that changes is when the fans / media get the shits with something, and hound them about it. The NRL has never been proactive.

 

[theshed]

I think the rules are enforced in a way to make sure games are tight, and the only time that changes is when the fans / media get the shits with something, and hound them about it. The NRL has never been proactive.

So are we saying JT was wrong about his conspiracy theory?

The big one for me was the year Souths won the comp. the media set up perfectly
for that since day one. I don’t actually think it was planned but I definitely think they were hopeful it would happen.

 

[Morkel]

I’m not saying I have proof. But I will say that I have never sold as many tin-foil hats.

 

[Kimlo]

I don't think they favour certain teams so to speak, but I think they certainly apply the rules to favour what ever team is losing, so all games end up as "close" as possible.

 

[gordjw]

So are we saying JT was wrong about his conspiracy theory?

The big one for me was the year Souths won the comp. the media set up perfectly
for that since day one. I don’t actually think it was planned but I definitely think they were hopeful it would happen.

That was totally planned. They had the celebrations before the GF was actually played!
Brought out their precious bell and rang it.
You wouldn’t have even known there was another team playing.

 

[Number6]

Why assume a conspiracy when incompetence will do?

Agree there is a culture likely without specific instructions to favour tight games.

Having said that far too many ‘fairytale’ teams are winning comps. Maybe they hype the fairytale for whoever is winning but getting to be more than a coincidence...

 

[mrslong]

They definitely manipulate the season to be close. They think that somehow means their Comp is successful. When a successful comp is one where the best team wins and the worst team runs last.
It is infuriating.

 

[mrslong]

The NFL and NBA are very good at allowing this to happen. The fans of the lower teams might not love it, but at least you know that the best teams are in the playoffs.

 

[Rico]

Great example was the blatant forward pass to Sutton on Thursday night. let go purely for a grand stand finish.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Why assume a conspiracy when incompetence will do?

Nail on the head.
The level of incompetence is that high....and that obvious, that it's only natural to think that the game is rigged.

No professional organisation can possibly be that inept....they must be doing it on purpose.....right?

Wrong.

Let me introduce you to the NRL.

What you think can't be real, is ....and it's occurring so frequently, that our conscious minds can't possibly comprehend that it's actually happening right in front of our eyes.

We're through the looking glass here people.

 

[Alec]

I think the people in the NRL are just afraid of making big calls. From Greenberg down to the refs. From big decisions down to the "little" ref ones. We are probably not going to get anything like the Melbourne Storm scandal again for a long time. Just feels like the whole culture is of fear - even the media can smell blood in the water and go bully everyone like no tomorrow.

 

[Sproj]

I think the people in the NRL are just afraid of making big calls. From Greenberg down to the refs. From big decisions down to the "little" ref ones. We are probably not going to get anything like the Melbourne Storm scandal again for a long time. Just feels like the whole culture is of fear - even the media can smell blood in the water and go bully everyone like no tomorrow.

Absolutely nailed it.

 

[Mister Wright]

No. This is just an excuse used by fans that have a ref bashing mentality and can't accept when their team loses.

 

[Aldo]

Nail on the head.
The level of incompetence is that high....and that obvious, that it's only natural to think that the game is rigged.

No professional organisation can possibly be that inept....they must be doing it on purpose.....right?

Wrong.

Let me introduce you to the NRL.

What you think can't be real, is ....and it's occurring so frequently, that our conscious minds can't possibly comprehend that it's actually happening right in front of our eyes.

We're through the looking glass here people.

It's the Matrix

 

[Harry Sack]

No. This is just an excuse used by fans that have a ref bashing mentality and can't accept when their team loses.

What about when a game is tight and suddenly penalties that haven't been blown all game start getting blown for the team behind? I'm not of the opinion that the game is "rigged" but their certainly seems to be a trend towards certain things.

 

[Nashy]

No. This is just an excuse used by fans that have a ref bashing mentality and can't accept when their team loses.

I think you need to give watching all 7 games a go over the next weekend to see how bad they have got, then explain to me, why the rules change through the game.