yakstorm
First Grade
- Messages
- 5,403
To say there are no benefits to the proposed Conference system wouldn't be fair.
Firstly, from a crowd and TV perspective, this conference structure definitely helps deliver more 'big' games than the current draw, especially as the likes of the Warriors and Storm are more popular in South East Queensland than pretty much ever Sydney club except the Dragons.
Secondly, it does arguably create more opportunities to try and create more 'event' games, as there is an opportunity to have Conference Finals, etc, plus under the guise of 'Conferences' you could arguably have more teams in the Finals (Two top 5s anyone?)
Thirdly, it does provide a better platform for expansion, as additional expansion clubs can be added, whilst the 'Sydney' conference grows to include Canberra & Newcastle.
Is it fair way of running the competition? Not really, but as others have pointed out, the current draw is far from fair. At least in Conferences, everyone in that Conference plays the same opponents an equal number of times, with the biggest disadvantage being whether they draw the inter-conference teams at home or away.
Does it eliminate some of the traditional GF match ups? It might, although again it depends on how the Finals are run, they may decide to cross-conferences from the get go.
What about different playing standards in the conferences? It will happen at times, but at the same time, if you're a good player currently playing for team 6 in the 'stronger' conference and have an opportunity to go to team '2' in the 'weaker', you're likely to do it, as you are more likely to play Finals Football. These 'opportunities' are likely to help even up the talent pools over time.
Personally, I'd rather an 18 team competition where everyone plays everyone once before the Finals, but IMO Conferences isn't the worst idea.
Firstly, from a crowd and TV perspective, this conference structure definitely helps deliver more 'big' games than the current draw, especially as the likes of the Warriors and Storm are more popular in South East Queensland than pretty much ever Sydney club except the Dragons.
Secondly, it does arguably create more opportunities to try and create more 'event' games, as there is an opportunity to have Conference Finals, etc, plus under the guise of 'Conferences' you could arguably have more teams in the Finals (Two top 5s anyone?)
Thirdly, it does provide a better platform for expansion, as additional expansion clubs can be added, whilst the 'Sydney' conference grows to include Canberra & Newcastle.
Is it fair way of running the competition? Not really, but as others have pointed out, the current draw is far from fair. At least in Conferences, everyone in that Conference plays the same opponents an equal number of times, with the biggest disadvantage being whether they draw the inter-conference teams at home or away.
Does it eliminate some of the traditional GF match ups? It might, although again it depends on how the Finals are run, they may decide to cross-conferences from the get go.
What about different playing standards in the conferences? It will happen at times, but at the same time, if you're a good player currently playing for team 6 in the 'stronger' conference and have an opportunity to go to team '2' in the 'weaker', you're likely to do it, as you are more likely to play Finals Football. These 'opportunities' are likely to help even up the talent pools over time.
Personally, I'd rather an 18 team competition where everyone plays everyone once before the Finals, but IMO Conferences isn't the worst idea.
