Close games

[maple_69]

There seems to have been a lot of close games this season already.
I checked the stats and we've had 12 out of 21 games decided by a converted try or less.
In previous seasons it has typically taken 5-7 rounds to get to 12.

Do you think the competition is closer this year? Are teams just getting used to the new rules? Will we see it open up as the strong teams start to hit their stride?

Definitely makes for better viewing. Im enjoying watching much more than in previous seasons.

 

[Someone]

yep, shaping up to be the most entertaining season since probably 2005 due to the rule changes.

 

[ceagle]

It's been good. I have found myself watching a lot more games this year whilst previous years I would mainly just watch Manly games.

 

[Non Terminator]

Last year in the first three rounds there was six matches in the first three rounds decided by a try or less, including one in the first round.
Round one had a 28-10, a 40-10, a 32-10, a 30-10 and a 42-10.
Round two had a 22-6, a 32-10, a 36-0 and a 32-0.
Round three had a 28-4 and a 34-6.
Just for comparison.
Took until the second last game of Round 5 to have 12 matched decided by a try or less.

 

[reanimate]

It seems like the comp's evened up a lot. The Dragons have Widdop, who has lifted them well above last year, Penrith are far stronger, Brisbane are playing much better, Melbourne seem to have become slightly weaker, Souths have dipped and even the Roosters have looked vulnerable against sides who would have been considered easybeats last year.

I think one of the best changes this year has been allowing quick taps every time there's an opportunity for one- there's no screwing around and waiting for the refs and the opposition to be ready, whoever grabs the ball just guns it for the restart spot and the game flows straight into the next set.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Last year's duck egg teams - the Tigers, Dragons and Broncos have all improved significantly. And whilst early I still suspect the Eels will also be much improved. The Raiders too are clearly better. The Panthers have gone to another level.

The only poor team to stand still are the Titans. And only the Sharks appear to have gone backwards and that's largely down to injuries.

So the quality across the board is much improved hence the closer games.

 

[innsaneink]

Still seeing a few dud games...lots of errors, understandable being early on I guess

 

[georgesnmith]

good thread

three games this week decided on the bell, with the lead changing hands during the game

the ARLC have solved the problem of the wrestle, kudos to them with the rule changes.

the game is in excellent hands

 

[wibble]

Last year's duck egg teams - the Tigers, Dragons and Broncos have all improved significantly. And whilst early I still suspect the Eels will also be much improved. The Raiders too are clearly better. The Panthers have gone to another level.

The only poor team to stand still are the Titans. And only the Sharks appear to have gone backwards and that's largely down to injuries.

So the quality across the board is much improved hence the closer games.

I'd add the Knights for much the same reason.

Hard to tell this early if teams have really changed form, but it does appear the bottom 8 from last year are stronger and the top 8 from last year are weaker. Which is probably a good thing for viewing.

I think the extra dummy half runs, 0 tackles, quick play the balls and forwards dropping to the ground to get quick plays, as well as players fearing putting on big hits, less wrestling, fewer players in the tackle, and no shoulder charges, have made end to end football more likely. I think this has taken some of the sting out of the good defenses from last year, and helped teams that otherwise struggled to get over opponent's forwards.

This means most teams are getting a good crack at the opposition line and teams are more winning and losing on the back of their short kicking and error rates. I don't know if that is great viewing, but it does mean every team has a shot at scoring, whereas last year some teams never came close to getting enough points against good defenses.

I think teams will get more creative as the season gets on, and the teams with good strike weapons will probably start to rise.

 

[maple_69]

The other effect of the zero tackle has been the team takes their 20m tap and end up close enough to attack on their last play rather than outting up a midfield bomb from 40 out.
Im really keen to see this in effect in golden point. Miss your field goal and the other team are probably a good shot at rolling down into position for their own attempt.

 

[Cumberland Throw]

Yes after a little lack luster start the Nrl is starting to throw up some real possible fairy tales this year

We should see tv ratings and crowds returning to usual levels very soon

 

[georgesnmith]

another blockbuster today!

thats 4 games decided in the final minutes.

we are absolutely getting spoiled with the football on offer.

 

[Rodney]

Yes after a little lack luster start the Nrl is starting to throw up some real possible fairy tales this year

We should see tv ratings and crowds returning to usual levels very soon

were tv ratings down?

 

[Perth Red]

Nothing better than a nail biter.

According to the death riding tele though games are blowing out and there is a lack of talent in the NRL!

But according to the game’s leading coaches, players, chief executives and commentators, the issue of expanding the competition needs to be withdrawn and replaced by a more intense focus — there simply isn’t enough talent to satisfy more than 16 NRL teams.
It’s a belief was never more evident than last weekend.
Leading rugby league identities believe expansion would be an unmitigated disaster. Source: DailyTelegraph
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that an alarming 83 NRL players were unavailable for selection either through injury or suspension last weekend, which contributed to three of the seven matches finishing with record-breaking scorelines, mediocre TV ratings and far from satisfying crowd figures

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eague-identities/story-fni3fbgz-1226862253588

 

[Diesel]

So far the games are faster & more exciting. The close finishes are good too which will hopefully bring the crowds back.
If this is a close season like 2005 we are all in for a good year as fans

 

[Puntastic]

The comp has evened out, but it will take a few more weeks for things to really take shape. Teams are still getting used to the new rules and there's a little bit to be desired in the discipline dept for now.

 

[Diesel]

Chalk up another game, 8 pts in it tonight

Where one team has a 3-0 record and the other has a 0-3 record

It's early days but the gap is getting closer

 

[ceagle]

This is probably what the administration wanted to see before they expand

 

[wibble]

The other effect of the zero tackle has been the team takes their 20m tap and end up close enough to attack on their last play rather than outting up a midfield bomb from 40 out.
Im really keen to see this in effect in golden point. Miss your field goal and the other team are probably a good shot at rolling down into position for their own attempt.

Instead they're putting up 30 m bombs, which are more likely to get a result but still not that likely. And when they fail the other team gets a 0 tackle and gets to 30 m and puts up their bomb. Not real interesting.