Is there too much pre-season footy?

[Big Pete]

Between the Auckland 9s, All-Stars, the extended World Club Challenge and trials the question has to be asked, is there too much pre-season football?

 

[Renegade]

Get rid of the All Stars game, it's shithouse. No one takes it seriously, the fans don't care, it is a pointless spectacle.

The Auckland 9's however, is a good tournament.

Trials are necessary.

I don't really have an opinion on the extended WCC, though it really should be just between the SL and NRL winners.

 

[Cult]

I don't really have an opinion on the extended WCC, though it really should be just between the SL and NRL winners.

It basically is. I don't think the Broncos or Dragons win a trophy if they win their games. It's a glorified trial match and that is it. I saw an article yesterday whinging about how the writer has no interest in the other games but I'm sure they felt the same way about the Broncos VS Cowboys trial or any game their team isn't involved in.

 

[Big Pete]

To answer my own question, I certainly think so.

Rugby League is my favourite sport on the planet but I've got to say I'm struggling to get interested about this All-Stars match that's coming up. With so many stars unavailable and very little public interest it's honestly one of those games where I'm just hoping our players get through it OK and nothing else. I may watch it if the prolonged pre-match entertainment doesn't turn me off. And that's nothing against the Indigenous nature of it all, I get sick of most of it including the Origin & Test match stuff.

Auckland 9s I can live with but they've got to take it out of Auckland once the exclusivity deal is finished and they've got to push it back to the final week of trials to give all the stars a chance of playing. It was played way too early in the season and the quality at times was embarrassing.

Extended World Club Challenge seems like a waste of time on the surface and I'm praying that the travel and prep doesn't cause us to start the season flat. The only positive is that it gives us a chance to watch a trial match but if anything, that should be happening anyways. More teams need to look into streaming - the audience and interest is definitely there.

 

[Ari Gold]

There absolutely is Pete. All Stars is a joke fixture and expanded WCC is lame.

The nines is a decent idea but poorly supported by the clubs.

 

[Super Freak]

I like the idea of an expanded WCC. I think it would help create more interest in the game overseas. But I think they should have it in other places where they are trying to expand.

My biggest problem is when they are having it. I think it should be an end of season fixture.. Not in the pre-season, and definitely not so close to the start of the season.

The 9's, it's fun to watch but there are still quite a few clubs not taking it seriously which is just hurting the tournament. The All Stars game.. I never really liked it much. I haven't been able to get into it. The voting system is ridiculous and so are some of the rules..

 

[Unbiased Nostalgia]

For us I think so. 9s, regular trials, all stars and wcc. But it comes down to preference. Some probably want as much footy as possible.

 

[Broncoman]

The 9's is a fun and entertaining way to start the season. Getting to see all the teams play and seeing some former great players of the past is also fun. It's all short modified games and doesn't impact players to much. In total we played 54 minutes at the 9's this year which meant we didn't even play a full 80.

Trial games are a must with no question at all.

I'm 50/50 with the All Stars game. Appreciating the talent that indigenous people supply the game with is a nice touch and makes the relationship with indigenous people within the game better but it loses credibility when players withdraw from it.

 

[vertigo]

The All Stars game has no place after the introduction of the Nines and the World Club Challenge should be between the two premiers only.

Honestly the regular season is too long as it is as well, so many nothing games right after Origin.

 

[1910]

Interesting idea but Storm and Dogs are having an oppossed training session against each other.

 

[Cult]

Interesting idea but Storm and Dogs are having an oppossed training session against each other.

An opposed, non-contact game of touch football isn't it?

 

[1910]

An opposed, non-contact game of touch football isn't it?

No it's not touch, it isn't full tackles but will still be contact and hold. AFL have done it previously with the Scott brothers organising sessions against each other.

Same as what we do in Origin camp with the Residents or Under 19's being NSW for sessions.

 

[Cult]

No it's not touch, it isn't full tackles but will still be contact and hold. AFL have done it previously with the Scott brothers organising sessions against each other.

Same as what we do in Origin camp with the Residents or Under 19's being NSW for sessions.

Storm to meet Bulldogs in opposed session - Storm

Everywhere I have seen has said there will be no contact. I figured that will be like touch football or something but yeah, you're probably right. Everything seems pretty vague.

 

[1910]

Storm to meet Bulldogs in opposed session - Storm

Everywhere I have seen has said there will be no contact. I figured that will be like touch football or something but yeah, you're probably right. Everything seems pretty vague.

They've got a ref for the 13 a side 'game' you still want to practice holding guys up and take numbers out of the line so you can run moves and lines getting back etc. Touch would just be social and achieve nothing.

You want to create the effect of a tackle but not the impact.