Finals System Change (Bye McIntyre!)

[Boofhead]

NRL Finals System Changed
NRL.com Wed, Feb 22, 2012 - 2:43 PM

The Australian Rugby League Commission has announced a change to the 2012 Telstra Premiership Finals Series at today?s NRL Chief Executives? meeting in Sydney.

On the day of the official season launch, the Commission informed clubs that it had accepted a recommendation to move away from the McIntyre system which had been a part of the Telstra Premiership since 1999.

For the first time since 1996, the competition will split the top four and the bottom four finalists into separate pools in week one of the Telstra Premiership Finals Series (The Australian Rugby League used such a model in both 1995 and 1996).

Whereas the McIntyre system ?seeded? the eight finalists so that the top four played the bottom four, the 2012 system will see the top four teams and bottom four teams split into separate pools in the first week.

?As the competition has become closer and the impact of ?home and away? finals matches even more significant, the system has become a source of increasing debate,? ARLC Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

?The allocation of ?home venues? in the second week of the McIntyre system has been a particular concern.

?After going through a thorough process we are confident that this is the right time for this change.?

The recommendation to the Commission follows an extensive review process conducted by ARLC General Manager of Football Operations, Mr Nathan McGuirk.

?Over the past few months we have been conducting a review with clubs and with the recently formed Competition Committee,? Mr McGuirk said.

?An overwhelming majority of clubs have shifted their support away from the McIntyre system and to one where the top four teams play each other in week one.

?It offers greater protection for the top four teams and the possibility of even closer matches.

?Each of the top four teams needs only to win two finals matches to reach the Grand Final, while the bottom four ranked teams must win three.

?The Minor Premiers and Team 2 are each guaranteed two home games.?

The Telstra Premiership finals system will continue to be played on the basis of ?home city? venues in week one and two and ?home region? venues in week three.

http://www.nrl.com/nrl-finals-system...0/default.aspx

[Boofhead]

[Boofhead]

Bout freakin time really. What an amazing advantage being in the top 2 (let alone the top 4) brings to a team.

I like how if 1 or 2 lose their first game they get the home game again the next week.

[Chaos]

your not wrong Boofhead...it's about time...what a surprise to see a new system added into this years finals.

It's the best option for a top 8 finals series and it's getting me excited for the season ahead.


?As the competition has become closer and the impact of ?home and away? finals matches even more significant, the system has become a source of increasing debate,? ARLC Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

It doesn't matter how close the comp is...the impact of home and away finals will always be significant...slow on the 'up take' Gallop.
Debate grew because people up the top had no for-sight to change.

[Greg81]

Good riddance, McIntyre!

[TITAN PETE]

Now playing for the top 4 takes on a whole new meaning & u know u can't be kicked out in round 1 of the finals, no more waiting for Sunday afternoon to find out if u are out after being beaten on Friday night & relying on other results to go your way, each team will have their own destiny in their own hands

[Chaos]

each team will have their own destiny in their own hands

Excactly!

[Titanic]

As the article rightly points out, this is the old ARL system and should never have been changed. For those of us with marginally longer memories, the "AFL-McIntyre" system was spruiked by the anti-ARL clique who ultimately brought the great game to its knees ... it has only taken how long for commonsense to prevail ... morons but of course News would never report that.

[Chaos]

As the article rightly points out, this is the old ARL system and should never have been changed. For those of us with marginally longer memories, the "AFL-McIntyre" system was spruiked by the anti-ARL clique who ultimately brought the great game to its knees ... it has only taken how long for commonsense to prevail ... morons but of course News would never report that.

regardless...12 years is a long time to replace a stupid idea

[Titanic]

regardless...12 years is a long time to replace a stupid idea

Yep that's been the influence of News over that time and at last we are about to see less of them at bargain basement rates at least.

[DIEHARD]

As the article rightly points out, this is the old ARL system and should never have been changed. For those of us with marginally longer memories, the "AFL-McIntyre" system was spruiked by the anti-ARL clique who ultimately brought the great game to its knees ... it has only taken how long for commonsense to prevail ... morons but of course News would never report that.

Too right mate!

A welcome announcement, the fans love the ARL Commission already!

[shamus]

Well I hope a "home finals game" is just that....At home and not Suncorp! I am talking more about the Preliminary Final....you will only get 26,000 into Skilled which may not appease some.. Especially if we meet the Broncos! Imagine playing them! Home game for them and massive disadvantage for Titans!