I think the MP deserves more than a measly $100,000 prize.
They get a home final.
They are not knocked out if they lose week 1.
They play 8th spot in week 1.
If they beat 8th spot they get a week off and are a win away from the grand final.
Financially they may deserve more, if their marketing and sponsorship departments are up to it they will.
They also lose the recognition of their season if they don't "win the comp"
I'd like to see the MP be celebrated as the highest prize of the NRL season and the "finals" being the equivalent of a knockout cup just for the top 8.
They also lose the recognition of their season if they don't "win the comp"
I'd like to see the MP be celebrated as the highest prize of the NRL season and the "finals" being the equivalent of a knockout cup just for the top 8.
Who cares about a team with a touch of luck over 4 weeks? The true winner is the team that finishes first after 26 weeks
The competition is not merely about finding the best team. It is just as much about entertainment and giving the fans reason to care. If it comes down to top 4, then half the teams' fanbase will lose interest 10 rounds before the end. Teams need to have something to play for, for as long as practicable. Pride is not enough.
If you had a top four comp, teams would lift their game, it is as much about winning as entertaining and it is a fact of life that certain teams will always languish. It is up to them to lift their game. your parochialism is admirable, but mediocrity should not be rewarded.
Your stupidity is refreshing, naah not really.
You want to avoid mediocrity? Get rid of the salary cap and non-incentivised NRL grants.
The NRL is an entertainment business. The last thing they need is fans losing interest halfway through the season because their team can't make the finals. The current finals system strikes a perfect balance between rewarding regular season performance and giving teams something to play for throughout the entire season.
Even then, it's highly unlikely that a team that only scrapes into the 8 should win the Grand Final, I don't think anyone's ever won it from outside the top 4.
This year's Warriors may be the first exceptions to that rule. Hopefully.
why should teams with a vastly inferior win-loss ratio even be in the running