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Comes out a week or two after the GF yeah ?
Looks like its going to be wickedly different from previous years
Using AI, what could go wrong ?
Gus Gould a big AI guy ?? Though 'backroom operations' sounds dodgy as f..k.....
7news.com.au
Peter V’landys has announced a major shakeup to how the NRL draw will be structured for the 2026 season.
The premier Rugby League competition is set to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) after V’landys described the process of arranging the schedule as “so complicated”.
These developments come after the NRL head honcho spoke on Tuesday morning at the NRL and NRLW grand final breakfast, alluding to broadcasters and clubs combined with events like State of Origin, Las Vegas and Magic Round all requesting specific slots on the calendar.
“We had a big workshop on the draw because it’s so complicated,” V’landys said
“I’ve never seen anything quite like it, the variables that are in it. The broadcasters get a pick, the clubs get a pick, there’s the Magic Round, there’s Vegas, there’s all these different (factors).
“This year, we’ve got a program that uses AI because of all the different requests and algorithms.”
This isn’t the first time this year that we have seen AI used in the Rugby League space, however.
Canterbury Bulldogs General Manager Phil Gould revealed in July that the Belmore club was using the tool “for everything”, creating a tailored system for coaching as well as backroom operations.
In the past, the NRL have used a foreign firm to assist with draw scheduling, something V’landys suggests will continue to be utilised.
“I think it’s American now, so there’s a bit of a tariff on it, but that’s alright,” V’landys said.
“This is the first year we’ve used this program.”
Part of the draws reforms includes the potential for a daytime grand final.
Sticking to the traditional Sunday, but moving it back prior to the 7:30pm timeslot that it currently holds.
“It’s certainly part of the consideration,” V’landys said.
“I think it’s proven that Sunday afternoon football is very successful.
“We looked at it last year and I said to our management team, we’ve got to move to Sunday afternoon (for finals). They all looked at that strange, but the beauty about Sunday afternoons, it’s a premium time.
“The thing is Sunday afternoon has certainly proven to be a winner, and we’re going to have to convince a lot of people, including the broadcasters, that Sunday afternoon was the way to go. Now they’ve seen it for themselves, it might make it a bit easier.”
Looks like its going to be wickedly different from previous years
Using AI, what could go wrong ?
Gus Gould a big AI guy ?? Though 'backroom operations' sounds dodgy as f..k.....
NRL enacts major change for 2026 draw
NRL boss Peter V’landys has described the draw as ‘so complicated’, catering to the needs of several stakeholders.
7news.com.au
Peter V’landys has announced a major shakeup to how the NRL draw will be structured for the 2026 season.
The premier Rugby League competition is set to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) after V’landys described the process of arranging the schedule as “so complicated”.
These developments come after the NRL head honcho spoke on Tuesday morning at the NRL and NRLW grand final breakfast, alluding to broadcasters and clubs combined with events like State of Origin, Las Vegas and Magic Round all requesting specific slots on the calendar.
“We had a big workshop on the draw because it’s so complicated,” V’landys said
“I’ve never seen anything quite like it, the variables that are in it. The broadcasters get a pick, the clubs get a pick, there’s the Magic Round, there’s Vegas, there’s all these different (factors).
“This year, we’ve got a program that uses AI because of all the different requests and algorithms.”
This isn’t the first time this year that we have seen AI used in the Rugby League space, however.
Canterbury Bulldogs General Manager Phil Gould revealed in July that the Belmore club was using the tool “for everything”, creating a tailored system for coaching as well as backroom operations.
In the past, the NRL have used a foreign firm to assist with draw scheduling, something V’landys suggests will continue to be utilised.
“I think it’s American now, so there’s a bit of a tariff on it, but that’s alright,” V’landys said.
“This is the first year we’ve used this program.”
Part of the draws reforms includes the potential for a daytime grand final.
Sticking to the traditional Sunday, but moving it back prior to the 7:30pm timeslot that it currently holds.
“It’s certainly part of the consideration,” V’landys said.
“I think it’s proven that Sunday afternoon football is very successful.
“We looked at it last year and I said to our management team, we’ve got to move to Sunday afternoon (for finals). They all looked at that strange, but the beauty about Sunday afternoons, it’s a premium time.
“The thing is Sunday afternoon has certainly proven to be a winner, and we’re going to have to convince a lot of people, including the broadcasters, that Sunday afternoon was the way to go. Now they’ve seen it for themselves, it might make it a bit easier.”
