CEOs: Let's change jersey numbers

[natheel]

names on jerseys would work better, kinda like UK does everyone has a set squad number with names on jerseys no real problems there

 

[BLKOUT!]

Basketball's three basic positions are guard, forward and centre. Guard can be split up into point and shooting and forward into small and power. But in theory, it's the same as playing touch, you don't really need a number. Yeah they can be split up into 1,2,3,4,5, but the point that there is only three positions, and this from wiki: 'The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and in informal games they are sometimes not used. They are grouped into two conceptual units: the backcourt and frontcourt.' Means they are not really needed that much.

League's three basic positions are forwards, backs and halves. Forwards can be split up into front row, second row, lock forward, hooker ... backs into wingers/fullback/centres .. and halves into halfback, five/eighth. Yeah they can be split up into 1 through 13 but the point is only three positions.

When you simplify it that much it makes the entire sport look vague. There is a distinct difference between a shooting guard and a point guards function within a basketball team, calling them both guards does not change that. Same with league. The function of a front rower is obviously different to that of a hooker, but technically they are both forwards.

I don't know why you're using a wikipedia quote that mentions informal games when we are discussing professional sports.

 

[Bumble]

Gee Bumble, 8-11 are the same eh? Real clear cut, Keepers are also often number 7 in the batting lineup. And please, when has test cricketers EVER had numbers on their backs? Cricket just isn't the sort of game you need numbers for, anyone can go out and open, nightwatchmen often go out 3 or 4, players 4-6 can often swap around. Big hitters go in early if it is late in the innings etc etc. 1-11 is known throughout, who cares? And in the field? Well I'm sure numbers matter there, right?

:roll: Yes the keeper could bat at 7 but that's clearly not the point of what I said. And I only addressed cricket numbers because you brought it up. I agree that they aren't necessary but they're certainly a useful marketing tool. Same goes for baseball.

Basketball's three basic positions are guard, forward and centre. Guard can be split up into point and shooting and forward into small and power. But in theory, it's the same as playing touch, you don't really need a number. Yeah they can be split up into 1,2,3,4,5, but the point that there is only three positions, and this from wiki: 'The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and in informal games they are sometimes not used. They are grouped into two conceptual units: the backcourt and frontcourt.' Means they are not really needed that much.

Well I didn't mention basketball but yes, it's another sport where they aren't necessary. Not arguing that - but because of M.J, 23 became a brand name. Kobe made 24 became a brand name. Larry Bird and 33. And now, Lebron with 23 again.

You see how profitable having squad numbers even if they aren't really necessary is? It could be the same in Rugby League - as I'm not exactly sure why we need set numbers for players, given that just like in basketball, they're divided into 3 groups of players...backs, halves and forwards. When we've got Ben Hornby taking 15 hit ups a game and Dave Taylor standing out on the wing you really have to question just how rigid these 'positions' are, don't you?

And the different tactics and formations in soccer like 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-4,1-2-7, 5-3-2, and the total football tactics means soccer positions can swap around quite easily.

Right but my point is it's in the rules. And regardless of what formation a team is running you could make slight adjustments to the numbering system for it to still make sense...but again, why miss out on such a golden marketing opportunity?

And please Bumble, what is wrong with putting your own name on a jersey???

Oh it's fine. If you're 8 years old.

 

[Danish]

At the moment a halfback can wear the number 7 for his entire career. If players pick their own numbers, what happens when a player signs with a new team but one of the players already has "their" number...?

E.g. Scott Prince picks number 15. Next year he signs with Manly, but Neville Nobody in his rookie year wears 15 on the wing. Do we play the team with two 15s on the paddock...?

Neville nobody would have his number taken off him and handed to prince, just like what happens in other sports when a big name comes to a club.

Adds another dimension to player negotiations too, as clubs may find it hard to hoard 2 great centres say if they both want to wear the 3.

 

[qldseaeagle96]

Again, could it be because they were trying to think of ways to increase income, therefore having a surefire way of pumping 'some' extra dollars into a new salary cap

I would buy a Dragons 10 Jersey, even more so if it said Weyman on it.

I realise you can get this done at some sporting shops, but to be honest, it looks poxy as sh*t.

Agreed 100% Why does it look poxy as sh*t? Several reasons

1. Sports stores in general do not have the correct font number that the clubs actually use, look closely almost every team uses a different font.
Solution. bring in a standardised NRL font - not that hard (look at the EPL for e.g)

2. The jerseys are PLASTERED with sponsors, get rid of the above number and replace it with a name in the standardised NRL font. Those that think that it will lose revenue, can't see it. I don't know how on earth clubs can sell front of jersey sponsorship jerseys for such high$$ when it diluted by sleeve sponsorship, above jersey sponsorship, above number sponsorship, below number sponsorship, back of shorts sponsorship etc..

The NRL currently is AMATEUR HOUR when it comes to marketing. Squad numbering with the above options would be a massive improvemnet IMO.

 

[qldseaeagle96]

The more I think about it the more benefits there are:

Imagine sportswear retailer A in Manly for e.g when ordering Sea Eagles jerseys they could order some plain, some with Watmough 11 on the back etc...

So even if the retailer doesn't have the heat sealing machine / staff they can still sell personalised jerseys with increased $$ turnover. Benefits the retailer , the club and the NRL.

Retro jerseys - sales of these are already strong. I love wearing my 96 Pepsi jersey but I would never have Lyons 6 on the back - or even the number 6 why beacuse it wasn't done in the day and what chance of finding a dual layered blue block 6 like was worn in 1996? Between none and f**k all.

Start tradition now - how good would it be in the future to buy a 20xx jersey with Lyon 3, Hayne 23, Lockyer 6, Slater 3 etc.. on the back. Much the same way jerseys like 33 Bird, 23 Jordan etc.. still walk out the door for NBA fans.

The traditionalists - the argument is not making 1-13 less special it is about making it MORE special, look how special the no 7 kit is at Man Utd after Robson, Beckham, Ronaldo or the number 9 at Newcastle United is.

 

[Springs]

:roll: Yes the keeper could bat at 7 but that's clearly not the point of what I said. And I only addressed cricket numbers because you brought it up. I agree that they aren't necessary but they're certainly a useful marketing tool. Same goes for baseball.



Well I didn't mention basketball but yes, it's another sport where they aren't necessary. Not arguing that - but because of M.J, 23 became a brand name. Kobe made 24 became a brand name. Larry Bird and 33. And now, Lebron with 23 again.

You see how profitable having squad numbers even if they aren't really necessary is? It could be the same in Rugby League - as I'm not exactly sure why we need set numbers for players, given that just like in basketball, they're divided into 3 groups of players...backs, halves and forwards. When we've got Ben Hornby taking 15 hit ups a game and Dave Taylor standing out on the wing you really have to question just how rigid these 'positions' are, don't you?



Right but my point is it's in the rules. And regardless of what formation a team is running you could make slight adjustments to the numbering system for it to still make sense...but again, why miss out on such a golden marketing opportunity?




Oh it's fine. If you're 8 years old.

So having your name on your own jersey that you bought is childish but having someone else's name on a jersey to pretend you are a superstar is not??? If I see someone with 'Hayne' on the top of their jersey, requiring of course that their name isn't Hayne, it looks the same as someone in a batman suit pretending to be a superhero. To me their would be nothing more pathetic than a big fat guy with 'Hayne 1' on his jersey, pretending he is a star fullback. Tell me how that isn't childish?

 

[LeagueLegend]

but its alarming that a forum to discuss the salary cap brought about no new initiatives for player payments. they probably spent 5 mins on the topic..............all there for the catered lunch i assume.

I've been to a few lunches at the NRL, the food is rubbish!

 

[The Engineers Room]

I think they should have the top 25 registered to numbers 1-25 based on their expected pre season position and any players outside get the next number, then it is started again the next year.

 

[betcats]

I don't really care either way, but I can see the benefits

 

[Goldthorpe]

To all the people that are complaining about when I see number 1 I immediately think of a Fullback, I think its nonsense!

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs make a whole heap of changes before kick-off last Friday night against the Eels.
- Bryson Goodwin had number 5 [Wing] but played in the Centres
- Junior Tia Kilifi had number 4 [Centre] but played on the Wing
- Jarrad Hickey had number 16 [Interchange] but started at Prop
- Michael Hodgson had number 10 [Prop] but started in the Second Row
- Gary Warburton had number 11 [Second Row] but started on the Interchange bench

I wonder how the ‘traditionalists’ went while watching that game? I bet they were vomiting everywhere due to the confusion. ‘GEEZ, what’s Hickey doing out there, he was supposed to start on the bench! HE SHOULDN’T BE OUT THERE!!’ *vomits*

In total there were 33 changes from the line-ups named on Tuesday to when the actual team played on their respective day. So does that mean there were 33 players that were playing were they weren’t supposed to?

Most coaches change their line-ups when named on Tuesday every week so technically it doesn’t really matter what numbers are on the back, the coaches don’t care what numbers they wear as long as they are out there and doing their job.

While I agree there are more important things to worry about in our game this idea has more merit to it then what you think. It makes life so much easier for the media, fans and new fans. It will promote the marketing of the player/club and they could even see who has sold the most personalised jerseys like they do in the NBA.

 

[cornerposter]

but i think the best point about the numbering issue came a few pages back when someone said - i don't support a player, i support the team.

+100

 

[Kenny Powers]

To all the people that are complaining about when I see number 1 I immediately think of a Fullback, I think its nonsense!

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs make a whole heap of changes before kick-off last Friday night against the Eels.
- Bryson Goodwin had number 5 [Wing] but played in the Centres
- Junior Tia Kilifi had number 4 [Centre] but played on the Wing
- Jarrad Hickey had number 16 [Interchange] but started at Prop
- Michael Hodgson had number 10 [Prop] but started in the Second Row
- Gary Warburton had number 11 [Second Row] but started on the Interchange bench

I wonder how the ‘traditionalists’ went while watching that game? I bet they were vomiting everywhere due to the confusion. ‘GEEZ, what’s Hickey doing out there, he was supposed to start on the bench! HE SHOULDN’T BE OUT THERE!!’ *vomits*

In total there were 33 changes from the line-ups named on Tuesday to when the actual team played on their respective day. So does that mean there were 33 players that were playing were they weren’t supposed to?

Most coaches change their line-ups when named on Tuesday every week so technically it doesn’t really matter what numbers are on the back, the coaches don’t care what numbers they wear as long as they are out there and doing their job.

While I agree there are more important things to worry about in our game this idea has more merit to it then what you think. It makes life so much easier for the media, fans and new fans. It will promote the marketing of the player/club and they could even see who has sold the most personalised jerseys like they do in the NBA.

Well said, could not agree more.

There are a lot of alarmists on here losing their sh*te over something that will have no bearing on the game.
There have been a lot of changes to the game that have been a detriment, this isn't one of them.

 

[Sleep]

Do it like the NFL whereby each position is assigned certain numbers to choose from. That way it's a little easier.

 

[Schiltzenberger]

I will quote myself from a similar thread in the Eels forum....where people were just as chicken little about it.

"I'm not fussed either way, but it is amusing to see so many people bagging it as if it were the worst idea ever.:lol: They are just numbers on a jersey, yet there is such passion in the argument of those against.

Tradition? - we wouldn't want a different number tainting the dodgy jerseys and team logos that have been redone or redesigned a million times in recent years.

Super League? - Different numbers was hardly their idea, most other sports do it. It still amazes me the way people just automatically just use the "it was a super league thing" to totally dismiss any idea, be it good or bad.

As I said I don't really care if they do it or not, the numbers are pretty much meaningless these days."

I can't see why people are so upset about it, or so against the idea, the numbers don't matter anymore.

If you need to see a number to know a players position then stop watching because you are a clueless moron, and it shouldn't matter for new viewers either. I remember when I first started to watch basketball, certain numbers for positions wouldn't have made it easier to understand, not that it was hard.
How the hell did the NBA and NFL get any viewers at all?:? it's just too difficult to know who plays where.:roll:

 

[Bumble]

So having your name on your own jersey that you bought is childish but having someone else's name on a jersey to pretend you are a superstar is not??? If I see someone with 'Hayne' on the top of their jersey, requiring of course that their name isn't Hayne, it looks the same as someone in a batman suit pretending to be a superhero. To me their would be nothing more pathetic than a big fat guy with 'Hayne 1' on his jersey, pretending he is a star fullback. Tell me how that isn't childish?

Hayne plays for Parramatta. You don't.

Little kids get jerseys with their names on the back because they're all obviously dreaming of getting there one day - 35-40 blokes doing it would just be ridiculous

But if it makes you happy go for it..

 

[danno]

Props wear No's 13 and 11
Hooker wears No 12
Second Rowers wear No's 9 and 10
Lock wears No 8

The way it used to be.

 

[qldseaeagle96]

So having your name on your own jersey that you bought is childish but having someone else's name on a jersey to pretend you are a superstar is not??? If I see someone with 'Hayne' on the top of their jersey, requiring of course that their name isn't Hayne, it looks the same as someone in a batman suit pretending to be a superhero. To me their would be nothing more pathetic than a big fat guy with 'Hayne 1' on his jersey, pretending he is a star fullback. Tell me how that isn't childish?

Um we are not talking about people 'pretending to be their heroes' like in Muriel's wedding where Muriel's little brother is running around the backyard "Heslop, passes it to Heslop".

People are respecting their favourite players, it will be more worn by younger fans more than likely.

It's up to the individual just like now they could buy the jersey personalised or not.

It is a marketing opportunity that is being missed at present.

 

[chrisc101]

Super League? - Different numbers was hardly their idea, most other sports do it. It still amazes me the way people just automatically just use the "it was a super league thing" to totally dismiss any idea, be it good or bad.
:roll:

Mate it has nothing to do with it being a 'Super League thing'...they did it during Super League and it sucked. Nothing to do with being pro ARL or pro SL!

Generally speaking teams follow the numbering system and RL is a sport where it is helpful to know which players are in which position.

And as for the 'it is good for marketing line' that is a total false economy. The best players play in the same position so are they going to sell more Brisbane jerseys with #49 because that's Darren's personal number than #6? I don't think so.

 

[Timmah]

Many people mentioning Locky seem to forget he was #1 for many years...