The game is bigger than it has ever been

[Munky]

Maybe the start, but honestly the 6 again rule is the biggest change for mine.

I know that 95% of this forum hates it, but neutrals in particular just love it.

Even Union fans I know, say this is where the game changed for them in terms of getting the mix of rules right.

I believe that game was the start of the NRL having to look into doing something about negative play in the red zone.

That game involved two eventual prelim teams and neither attempted to play footy.

Two years later and the six again is in place.

 

[King hit]

Yeah I don't see this ending anytime soon. I'm fearful it’s going to drive people away from the sport.

St George and Souths won every premiership across 25 years (except for 1969). It had no negative effects at all.

You are fake news

Hopeful that in a few years time we can start telling people to shut up when they ask how many storm players are Melbourne locals.

The people who say this are just ignorant. Have they ever seen what the Storm are up against in Melbourne. The fact they are popular as they are in Melbourne is a very impressive achievement.

 

[moffla]

that game was one of worst matches i ever watched if it’s one i’m thinking

storm v sharks?

Yep. Sharks conceded 14 penalties, Storm 19. Was horrid

 

[steeden.]

As the #1 Sport in Australia and the Pacific, the NRL is delivering not only more total viewers on average than any other sporting code in Australia, it is also delivering more 16-39 viewers 📣 | National Rugby League

As the #1 Sport in Australia and the Pacific, the NRL is delivering not only more total viewers on average than any other sporting code in Australia, it is also delivering more 16-39 viewers 📣

www.linkedin.com

Can’t see this on the NRL Insta or FB yet - there are some phenomenal stats!

 

[Gobsmacked]

As the #1 Sport in Australia and the Pacific, the NRL is delivering not only more total viewers on average than any other sporting code in Australia, it is also delivering more 16-39 viewers 📣 | National Rugby League

As the #1 Sport in Australia and the Pacific, the NRL is delivering not only more total viewers on average than any other sporting code in Australia, it is also delivering more 16-39 viewers 📣

www.linkedin.com

Can’t see this on the NRL Insta or FB yet - there are some phenomenal stats!

View attachment 106746

Those are massive increases in just 1 year !

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

2 point field goal is also great for the big endings.

we need to bring in a 8 point try opportunity as well just to make is to that a 7point lead is not enough to close a game

 

[T-Boon]

2 point field goal is also great for the big endings.

we need to bring in a 8 point try opportunity as well just to make is to that a 7point lead is not enough to close a game

what would that look like?

 

[Jetka100]

2 point field goal is also great for the big endings.

we need to bring in a 8 point try opportunity as well just to make is to that a 7point lead is not enough to close a game

There is one now. Just need to convince your opponent to punch in the head while you are scoring the try.

 

[Jetka100]

One thing that NRL benefits from is the ability to tweak the rule when needed. Not just the six again, but the change to still give a penalty inside the 40 when that was being exploited. There was the 7 tackle set, when players started deliberately kicking it dead. Then there was crack downs on teams having players standing to the side of the ruck blocking defenders. There have been several other changes made that have all had a cumulative effect on making the game more attractive. There will still need to be further changes as teams continue to look for ways to bend the rules. I think Penrith and Storm to some extent, have become very good at subtly slowing down the ruck. Look how often players like Yeo comes in as a third man and places his hand on the other defenders and slow the play down. Not as obvious as the traditional flop but just as effective. They talk about systems, but in reality it’s about stretching the rules as much as possible.

 

[T-Boon]

One thing that NRL benefits from is the ability to tweak the rule when needed. Not just the six again, but the change to still give a penalty inside the 40 when that was being exploited. There was the 7 tackle set, when players started deliberately kicking it dead. Then there was crack downs on teams having players standing to the side of the ruck blocking defenders. There have been several other changes made that have all had a cumulative effect on making the game more attractive. There will still need to be further changes as teams continue to look for ways to bend the rules. I think Penrith and Storm to some extent, have become very good at subtly slowing down the ruck. Look how often players like Yeo comes in as a third man and places his hand on the other defenders and slow the play down. Not as obvious as the traditional flop but just as effective. They talk about systems, but in reality it’s about stretching the rules as much as possible.

I've been noticing that a lot. It is some kind of signal.
Also could not agree more about the overall post. It is one big thing RL has over its rivals.

 

[Gobsmacked]

2 point field goal is also great for the big endings.

we need to bring in a 8 point try opportunity as well just to make is to that a 7point lead is not enough to close a game

That's a great idea. A 5 point try - 2 point conversion - 7 point try.

A try from a play the ball inside your own 20 meter.

It'll incentivis a shift early in sets and expose compressed defense lines.

 

[T-Boon]

That's a great idea. A 5 point try - 2 point conversion - 7 point try.

A try from a play the ball inside your own 20 meter.

It'll incentivis a shift early in sets and expose compressed defense lines.

It is a good idea - it should include an intercept claimed inside the 20.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

One thing that NRL benefits from is the ability to tweak the rule when needed. Not just the six again, but the change to still give a penalty inside the 40 when that was being exploited. There was the 7 tackle set, when players started deliberately kicking it dead. Then there was crack downs on teams having players standing to the side of the ruck blocking defenders. There have been several other changes made that have all had a cumulative effect on making the game more attractive. There will still need to be further changes as teams continue to look for ways to bend the rules. I think Penrith and Storm to some extent, have become very good at subtly slowing down the ruck. Look how often players like Yeo comes in as a third man and places his hand on the other defenders and slow the play down. Not as obvious as the traditional flop but just as effective. They talk about systems, but in reality it’s about stretching the rules as much as possible.

I saw them doing exactly the same thing in the Jersey Flegg Final last Sunday, which does show they really are teaching the same thing through all the grades, that`s their `systems` for you.
Funny thing was, their fans were going ape if the Storm team did anything remotely like a hold-down, the hypocrisy was breath-taking. Geez it was great to see them flogged and shut the boof-heads up.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Brands Pile Into Foxtel As Broncos & Storm Prepare For Blockbuster NRL Grand Final

Another crap weekend for NSW on the cards as the Broncos and Storm face off in NRL Grand Final.

www.bandt.com.au

"Speaking to B&T, Nev Hasan, chief sales officer at Foxtel Media, said the 2025 season has been “fantastic” across both platforms. The platform has welcomed more than 30 integrated partners across Fox League this season, including eight new brands making their debut across Foxtel Media platforms."

"Heading into Sunday’s decider, inventory is tight. “At this point in the season, we’re almost completely sold out, a great sign of the demand and confidence brands have in the NRL Finals,” Hasan said. “Scale on Kayo is at an all-time high, making this a prime moment for advertisers to tap into one of the most engaged sporting audiences in Australia.”

Foxtel Media is already planning for 2026. Hasan flagged the NRL season opener in Las Vegas, featuring six new rugby league teams, as a major advertising moment


I think Vegas will be huge next year and wouldn`t downplay its` role in the bumper years we are seeing.

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

That's a great idea. A 5 point try - 2 point conversion - 7 point try.

A try from a play the ball inside your own 20 meter.

It'll incentivis a shift early in sets and expose compressed defense lines.

i was thinking something more like a 4 point conversion.

PTB/scrum on the 20m line with 1 tackle for a 4 point conversion (can you imagine the chaos of a team with 1 play left throwing it around like crazy)

 

[kurt faulk]

.

I really think we're experiencing a NFL like 80s/90s transformation from one of the big 3 sports in the country to the supreme leading league in the country. It has been the Ruler for the last 30 years.

By that I'm talking broadcasting deals and advertising money.

.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

It's almost like the NRL is about to be talked about in the likes of NFL, NBA, EPL, MLB and co in regards Rugby. Fair dink, we have a wonderful sport. Yet I have this feeling. Every time RL looks to explode, something bad happens in the world to stop it point blank. I love the outlook for the sport atm, yet clouds are still around. I just dunno. I dearly hope I'm wrong, yet history repeats.

 

[Gobsmacked]

It's almost like the NRL is about to be talked about in the likes of NFL, NBA, EPL, MLB and co in regards Rugby. Fair dink, we have a wonderful sport. Yet I have this feeling. Every time RL looks to explode, something bad happens in the world to stop it point blank. I love the outlook for the sport atm, yet clouds are still around. I just dunno. I dearly hope I'm wrong, yet history repeats.

I think it's already exploding. Nothing grows this fast. These numbers... With a broadcast deal to negotiate.. boom !

 

[Cactus]

what would that look like?

Nawaqanitawase takes the ball, heads back in towards the sticks, kicks a floater directly upwards as heads for the line, launches himself to grab the crossbar and then hip spins 3 times on the crossbar, on the 4th catches his own floater as he dismounts to score, right under the black dot.
Converts from the same spot. 7 points.

 

[no name]

All of Marky Mark’s tries will be potential 7 point tries soon enough.