NRL Reserve grade?

[siv]

AnoThe question will be if having three grades on the one day will increase spectator numbers at games

You need to remove the 45 min grass growing period between grades

And the answer will be yes

People loved watching the pregames. But adding that stupid gap killed off any desire to turn up early

Other change would be to remove reserved seating. First in best seats. Even if in zones

 

[Timmah]

You need to remove the 45 min grass growing period between grades

And the answer will be yes

People loved watching the pregames. But adding that stupid gap killed off any desire to turn up early

Sounds purely anecdotal

 

[Iamback]

Coaching clinic kicks off 2023 pre-season

Take an inside look at the preparation for the 2023 season as Panthers coaches get together for a coaching seminar.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

This is the sort of stuff that can happen when an NRL side has control of the reserve grade side,

NRL
NSW Cup
u21's
u19's
u17's
u18's girls
Even have coaches from the Western Rams, While those players may not hit NRL level. Kids in Forbes, Dubbo and Bathurst getting the same training as those in the cities is a huge benefit to the local competition

 

[TheGrifter]

Coaching clinic kicks off 2023 pre-season

Take an inside look at the preparation for the 2023 season as Panthers coaches get together for a coaching seminar.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

This is the sort of stuff that can happen when an NRL side has control of the reserve grade side,

NRL
NSW Cup
u21's
u19's
u17's
u18's girls
Even have coaches from the Western Rams, While those players may not hit NRL level. Kids in Forbes, Dubbo and Bathurst getting the same training as those in the cities is a huge benefit to the local competition

And yet it's happening now and the NRL don't have control over reserve grade.

There is nothing stopping the clubs that truly want their own reserve grade side from having them. It's a group of Sydney clubs who are convinced that the best way to run a club is to have complete control (and branding) of the pathways all the way through and they want to impose this on the whole league. The Penrith example plays this out - great success through nurturing their junior pathways.

But they are actually the anomaly. If you look at the most successful clubs over the last few decades, having a stand-alone reserve grade side has not been a factor at all (Melbourne, Roosters, Manly, Brisbane).

 

[Iamback]

And yet it's happening now and the NRL don't have control over reserve grade.

There is nothing stopping the clubs that truly want their own reserve grade side from having them. It's a group of Sydney clubs who are convinced that the best way to run a club is to have complete control (and branding) of the pathways all the way through and they want to impose this on the whole league. The Penrith example plays this out - great success through nurturing their junior pathways.

But they are actually the anomaly. If you look at the most successful clubs over the last few decades, having a stand-alone reserve grade side has not been a factor at all (Melbourne, Roosters, Manly, Brisbane).

Roosters and Manly had a single reserve grade model too but of course the clubs will do what is best but it isn't just Sydney clubs.

Warriors, Canberra, Newcastle also are following the same model.

I think covid and lack of lower grades heightened the holes in junior development, I said back in 2020 that it was playing talent moreso then the rules for the blow outs.

So I welcome clubs trying to fix it, time will tell if it is best way

 

[docbrown]

Step 1. Keep NSWRL teams like Bears, Jets and Magpies. Make the Steelers the Dragons feeder team and play them out of Wollongong.

Step 2. Allow NRL teams that want them to have mirroring reserve grade teams.

Step 3. Expand NSWRL to include areas outside of Sydney like Central Coast, North Coast, South Coast, Western and Riverina. Make the NSWRL have a state-wide geographical spread similar to the QRL.

Step 4. Include teams like Auckland, PNG 2 and Fiji into either of the state leagues.

Step 5. Regardless of whether or not a club has a reserves team with their name, all NRL clubs should have close to an equal number of affiliated state clubs across both states.

Step 6. Only schedule NSWRL and QRL games as preludes to NRL games on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Other state games to be played at local venues (some as double headers) avoiding clashing with NRL games e.g don’t play East Tigers games when Broncos are on.

 

[siv]

We need to finish the evolution back to NRL Reserve Grade

Then NSW & NZ Cup can be setup to mirror Qld Cup

 

[Diesel]

is the reserve grade supposed to mirror NRL teams or will this be a mix of NSW/QRL clubs and a few newly created creams playing?

NSW Cup could survive however due to several clubs having NRL teams, however QLD Cup teams may struggle if they’re relguated to third tier

 

[Desert Qlder]

The QRL must resist this at all costs.

 

[Perth Red]

is the reserve grade supposed to mirror NRL teams or will this be a mix of NSW/QRL clubs and a few newly created creams playing?

NSW Cup could survive however due to several clubs having NRL teams, however QLD Cup teams may struggle if they’re relguated to third tier

There’s only 4 non nrl clubs in nsw cup so if it goes to full nrl reserve grade sides then not much change there, the big impact is in queensland. Nrl willing to fund clubs to run their own reserve grade would suggest that is what Vlandys wants. Only one of the qlnd clubs seems in favour, dolphins, so could be a battle ahead.

 

[Diesel]

QRL needs to fight this as it’s going to make NSWRL clubs stronger, it’s like 1980’s all over again

 

[siv]

QRL needs to fight this as it’s going to make NSWRL clubs stronger, it’s like 1980’s all over again

Wont impact the Qld Cup

There are 250 players graduating from U21s every year

The same fans that enjoy Qld Cup today will still attend tomorrow

And any worry over drop in coverage wont matter as NRLW is picking up all of the Cup viewing slots

 

[Western_Eel]

They got rid of the three grades because of costs now it seems they want to bring them back. It could also been seen as a plan by the NRL/ARLC to take over the NSWRL/QRL.

On the surface it makes sense in giving fans more bang for their buck and a day out in being able to watch 3 games instead of just the 1.

If you and your family are footy nuts then you would more than likely have pay TV rather than purchase season tickets especially when there is only one game on.

The question will be if having three grades on the one day will increase spectator numbers at games?

its not really going to improve crowds tho, people dont even turn out for the grand final.

 

[no name]

An NRL mirrored reserve grade would see a massive increase in quality of top grade NRL.
With that, it would see a significant decrease in the quality of Queensland Cup and NSW Cup.
I think the increase in NRL quality outweighs the decrease of quality in state comps as the state teams will continue to have their supporters.

 

[bad boy bubby]

An NRL mirrored reserve grade would see a massive increase in quality of top grade NRL.
With that, it would see a significant decrease in the quality of Queensland Cup and NSW Cup.
I think the increase in NRL quality outweighs the decrease of quality in state comps as the state teams will continue to have their supporters.

That's a pretty bloody sane post.
Well done.

 

[siv]

An NRL mirrored reserve grade would see a massive increase in quality of top grade NRL.
With that, it would see a significant decrease in the quality of Queensland Cup and NSW Cup.
I think the increase in NRL quality outweighs the decrease of quality in state comps as the state teams will continue to have their supporters.

Quality will return for these semi-pro leagues

As quality is based upon talent and coaching

And 250 players graduate U20s ever year

Coaching development is the key missing ingredient. But with NRL Reserve Grade will come more opportunities at this level too

 

[titoelcolombiano]

There’s only 4 non nrl clubs in nsw cup so if it goes to full nrl reserve grade sides then not much change there, the big impact is in queensland. Nrl willing to fund clubs to run their own reserve grade would suggest that is what Vlandys wants. Only one of the qlnd clubs seems in favour, dolphins, so could be a battle ahead.

Agreed, will definitely impact the Q Cup. Dolphins obviously got in just in time as they, similar to the Sydney NRL sides can field a Dolphins branded reserve grade team as the structure is already in place. The Cows, Broncs and Tits would have to create a RG team and lower grade program / pathway.

My concern is where PNG and Fiji fit into the mix if RG goes ahead. The Hunters have been a game changer for PNG pathways and if they aren't included in an NRL reserve grade (which if if mirrors the NRL, why would they?), they will end up in a third division comp which may see the end of the club. Fiji in a similar boat as they look to earn a spot in the current NSWRL comp.

 

[siv]

My concern is where PNG and Fiji fit into the mix

No change exactly where they are now

Its the same situation when teams play with 0 instead of 3-4 NRL players during SOO or periods

The comp suddenly doesnt drop a division it is still the Qld Cup

As it will be if NRL RG is setup

Note that 12 of 16 teams already play in that structure and in fact 13 of 16 teams play in a U21 equivalent too

 

[Canard]

No change exactly where they are now

Its the same situation when teams play with 0 instead of 3-4 NRL players during SOO or periods

The comp suddenly doesnt drop a division it is still the Qld Cup

As it will be if NRL RG is setup

Note that 12 of 16 teams already play in that structure and in fact 13 of 16 teams play in a U21 equivalent too

What structure are you referring to?

It's not just about the players, having zero NRL squad players being available for 1 or 2 rounds of a 22 game season isn't the same as not having them there for the excite entire season.

Where's the funding now coming from? How are they going to attract players to come and why would sponsors care?

I can see why the NRL teams are doing this, but it's a damn shame that the QCup will now fade into nothingness. But given RL propensity to shoot itself in the foot constantly, it's not a surprise.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

No change exactly where they are now

Its the same situation when teams play with 0 instead of 3-4 NRL players during SOO or periods

The comp suddenly doesnt drop a division it is still the Qld Cup

As it will be if NRL RG is setup

Note that 12 of 16 teams already play in that structure and in fact 13 of 16 teams play in a U21 equivalent too

Yes, that is the concern. Staying in the QLD Cup under this structure (which will be a 3rd tier comp) which means the best PNG players will be no longer playing week in week out in the second tier which is not a good outcome for them.