CEOs: Let's change jersey numbers

[dangerousdave]

I think the positional numbers on the backs of players help identify better with new fans. It's easier to pick up a position and know what that bloke is doing.


At least for new or converted fans it makes the learning curve faster for understand the roles of players and who is who.

Agree!

 

[BunniesMan]

I still cant see how kids wouldsuddenly rush out to by an Inglis jumper is he decided he was going to wear #5 instead of #4.

The point of it is for it to be personalised. You know...personal. The opposite of generic. A lot of current players may choose to keep their current numbers, and there's nothing wrong with that. I don't want to force players to change. If they keep their current numbers, good on em, sell that. But they should have the right to individualise it if they want to.

Over time, the players number will become part of their brand. Iconic players will be known for their number for years to come, the classic example being Michael Jordan's 23.

The most successful sports in the world (soccer, and the american big 3) have personalised numbers. They've turned it into a huge success, there is no reason we can't do the same.

And the suggestion that it can't work here from a financial/business POV is stupid because the AFL, Cricket and Soccer does it here.

 

[jonno_knights]

No, clubs name a 25-man squad at the start of the season. Some clubs give numbers to juniors that are outside of the 25 but are still part of the first grade squad, while others just give these players numbers if they are called up to play. Equally mid-season signings are just added on to the next available number. The numbers have to go consecutively, so you don't end up with stupid numbers like 99, and usually the numbers denote standing within the squad (for example the first choice 5/8 will be given number 6, interchange props will be given 15-16 etc). However, there are a couple of players who like to have their own number. For example, Jamal Fakir of Catalans always wears no 22, Ryan McGoldrick wears 23, David Solomona wears 26 etc. An NFL style system with players wearing 0-99 would be stupid, but the system used in Super League is much better than the 1-17 IMO.

Thats basically what I was saying. Only thing I wasnt aware of was the Fakir, McGoldrick, Solamona examples. I just remember when Johns played for Warrington he wore 31 because he was the 31st player for them that season.

 

[Perth Red]

Why can a business with an income of $15mill+ only afford a salary for its most valuable staff of less than $5mill?

 

[AlwaysGreen]

With the AFL you pay an extra $10 to get whatever number you like.

We could do the same.

Alright. So GI for example wears number 34*. When little Johnny bandwagon buys his jersey and asks to get his number put on what happens? Does the checkout chick at sportspower have a database of all players numbers? Does she forward the $10 that GI has just made personally to him or does she flick an email to Mario fenech at the nrl who's job it is to keep track of all numbers that get put on jerseys be it from rebel sport campbelltown to Taylor - Braden - Tyson Jones' mum ironing them on in her flat in downtown rockhampton?

It's implausible for that system to work. I know you're a pedestrian when it comes to logical thought but how would they track it? And anyone can buy a number, are you going to be interrogated by the sales punk if you buy a number as to what you are using it for? Is there going to be a NST (Number Sales Tax) on all numbers?

The only way it would work is if the jerseys come premanufactured with the numbers on them, which would grossly increase costs to the consumer.


* 34 represents GI's weight in stone.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Why can a business with an income of $15mill+ only afford a salary for its most valuable staff of less than $5mill?

If you're referring to an NRL club just think about how much it costs to keep a player fully fit on the field. Doctors, physios, masseuses, dietitians etc would cost millions even when a player does not have a major injury. I believe medical costs to maintain nrl sides are a part of the cost of running a club that is often very overlooked.

 

[Loudstrat]

"AFL do it". That phrase alone is proof that we shouldnt. I know you, PR and others follow AFL and worship it, but it's a crap sport that is run by brainless twats with massive Egos who think the world map is actually that of Melbourne.

Your other arguments:
"Kids can get the number of their hero" Umm, by a Broncos jumper, put a 6 on it. Guess who that kid likes?

"Rugby League positions are obsolete" Which is why there is a massive debate about picking players out of position in Origin! Next time I see Petero outleap Ryles for a bomb on the left wing I'll let you know.

"Players deserve to pick their own number" No they dont. Traitor League tried that - and there was a race to get the number of -wait for it - a f*cking American basketball player! The player choosing that number used the logic - "He's really cool" - I think it was Daley. Wearing the No 6 jumper that Lewis, Hey, Clay, Fulton and Kenny wore meant nothing.

And the funny one "Only idiots need to see positional numbers". No they don't. It identifies position - therefore player. Simple system that has worked for years.

"Its antiquated". So is the use of lungs for respiration in mammals -you go and find a trendier way to breath perhaps. I'll stick to the one that works.

 

[eaglerock]

OMG, lets shout down ideas for clubs to make money...

How many clubs are financialy unstable?
Merchandising should be a big portion of clubs intake and this idea is fantastic, and i would be the first to go out and buy the jerseys of my players, even if it was for different clubs.

I know it was tried in SL, but we dont have SL anymore and a new gen of NRL followers have come along, those who identify with the Benji's, Lockyer's, Hayne's etc...
Those of you Rugby League "Dinosaurs' and arm chair critics should think of the Kids would love to wear thier jerseys of thier players like they do EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD...

How many D Beckham jerseys were sold when he went to LA Galaxy?
How many T Tebow jerseys were sold when he was drafted by the D Broncos?
How many H Kewel or T Cahil jerseys were sold when we qualified for the world cups?

ANSWER - HEAPS AND HEAPS AND HEAPS and SELL OUTS!!!

"Its all about the benjamins"
#gomanly

 

[eaglerock]

I think the jersey should have the names, numbers and positions of the players. Like this:

Minichiello
----1----
Fullback

or

Pearce
---7---
NSW Halfback

Waerea-Hargreaves
----14----
Bench

like that, so you know what position they play

but i love this idea as well, and it shouldn't just be put on for origin...

 

[ozjet1]

spot on eaglerock.

here is an opportunity to exploit a new revenue stream, in an environment where clubs scrap and pinch for each penny, or whoring every available space on the club strip to corporates to the point where they now resemble mobile billboards like motorsport teams, and these supporters seem to be happy to see their club's uniform desecrated in such a way. yet the positional numbering system seems to be the absolute holy grail that cannot be messed with. spare me.

most star players in soccer in europe are given the number associated with their primary position anyway. e.g. Messi is #10 (the attacking midfielder) at Barcelona, Rooney #9 (centre forward) at Manchester United, & Ronaldo #7 (right midfield/wing) at Real Madrid. same thing can happen here. Players given the number that has been associated with their primary position. The only difference is it becomes their personalised number for their entire tenure at the club and an opportunity for clubs and players to reap a new income stream through merchandising via the club's assets - the players and their marketibility.

innovation is progress.

 

[Moffo]

Why can a business with an income of $15mill+ only afford a salary for its most valuable staff of less than $5mill?

that wouldn't be far away from the ratio for most businesses. there are so many other costs that go in to running a football club

cheers,
moffo

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Although I love the game of rugby league to think that we have the same audience base and so potential to make money from jersey sales ala Barcelona Man U or the NFL is crazy talk. The cost of producing the jerseys would far outweigh the number that are sold.

 

[milchcow]

Your other arguments:
"Kids can get the number of their hero" Umm, by a Broncos jumper, put a 6 on it. Guess who that kid likes?

Corey Norman?

 

[oldmancraigy]

Wow.

So much negativity towards a good idea.

Face facts, the players don't play the position of the number on the jersey anyway.

If you were, say Ricky Stuart, and you needed to watch a player in particular, it'd be easy to know their particular number so you could keep an eye on them each week.
Ricky knows that Josh Dugan is his 69, easy to spot him right?

 

[forward pass]

Face facts, the players don't play the position of the number on the jersey anyway.

They don't ???

If you were, say Ricky Stuart, and you needed to watch a player in particular, it'd be easy to know their particular number so you could keep an eye on them each week.
Ricky knows that Josh Dugan is his 69, easy to spot him right?

Surely Ricky knows what Dugan looks like !!

 

[oldmancraigy]

They don't ???

You're kidding right?


How many times do you see number 19 or 21 running onto the footy field with the starting lineup?
How often is number 4 playing fullback or number 11 is a center.

They name the team on Tuesdays, coaches decide their lineups as the week goes on, and they're compelled to keep the same numbering announced Tuesday.....

 

[milchcow]

You're kidding right?


How many times do you see number 19 or 21 running onto the footy field with the starting lineup?
How often is number 4 playing fullback or number 11 is a center.

Just further on this point.

Its easy to tell what position someone is by the number on their back.

Fullback is the guy in the number 1 jersey. Unless he is wearing 4, 6, 19 or 2.

Wingers are numbers 2 (unless he's at fullback) and 5. And 22. And 18. And 16

Each team has 2 centres. They wear jerseys with 3, 4, 13, 19, 21 on the back.

Five eighth is 6, 11 or 18.

Halfback is easy. Its the guy in the number 7 jersey. Except when its 18. Although if its not 7 or 18, its almost certainly 21.

These are all from Rd 13, 2011, and just the backs.

There might be lots of reasons why people want to keep the current numbering system, but it frequently does not represent the position the player is playing on the field. The best way to see what position someone is playing, is to look at their position on the field, not the number on their back.

 

[LineBall]

^ This.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

I would keep the 1-17 numbering for representative jerseys, but for club games I think that era has passed.

 

[Pierced Soul]

With the AFL you pay an extra $10 to get whatever number you like.

We could do the same.

you can do the same already ffs

Over time, the players number will become part of their brand. Iconic players will be known for their number for years to come, the classic example being Michael Jordan's 23..

thats good to know cos i keep thinking wally lewis number was #43 and allan langer wore #1