It's back: the finals system debate
Brad Walter and Andrew Webster | September 10, 2007
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Wayne Bennett last night called for the NRL to dump the McIntyre finals system after Brisbane were thrashed 40-0 by Melbourne - and he appeared to be backed by his Storm counterpart Craig Bellamy, who suggested the Broncos shouldn't have even been in the play-offs.
The result meant that for nine successive seasons since the McIntyre system was introduced, the eighth-placed side had failed to beat the minor premiers. And the lopsided score reignited debate about how the finals could be improved.
Bennett prefers the AFL system - in which the top four teams play off for the right to have a rest the following weekend, and the bottom four play sudden-death football - but Bellamy wants the top-five system to be reinstated.
"When I was younger and it was the top-four or top-five and you made the semis, you had had a good year," Bellamy said. After prefacing his next statement with "no disrespect to Brisbane", he argued that teams that finish eighth with a record of more losses than wins don't "deserve a shot at the big prize".
While Bennett insisted his side had believed they could win yesterday's match, he conceded: "One and eight ain't no match, it's pretty obvious.
"I just think the league have got to move away from it; I think the AFL have got a better system. They started off with this one and changed it. One thing they've done is that at least the fans think every team can win. If five played eight today, we might have been a better chance. The last time we finished eighth we got towelled up by Cronulla, so there's a huge gap there."
Melbourne captain Cameron Smith also backed the AFL model. "I like the top eight, but I favour the AFL system to be honest," he said.
Meanwhile, the NRL will resist calls to reschedule Sunday afternoon's match between the Cowboys and Warriors.
There was speculation yesterday that the NRL had approached broadcaster Channel Nine about shifting the game to a night match, while Cowboys coach Graham Murray also said he wanted it moved to Saturday evening.
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah confirmed he had told NRL officials he strongly opposed to moving the kick-off time from 4pm next Sunday.
"I heard a rumour and I voiced the club's concern to the NRL," Scurrah told the
Herald. "The schedule was put out, and everyone should stick to the schedule. Sometimes we have to play a 7.30pm game in Australia, and that's 9.30pm for our players but we have to do it.
"The schedule was decided when the draw was put out for this season, and it should not be changed now."
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley was adamant last night that the kick-off time would not be changed.
"Next week's matches will be as per schedule, no matter what," he said. "To change things around would give favouritism to another team, and that won't be happening. There has been a lot of speculation going on this weekend, but nothing will be changing."
Annesley admitted the NRL had discussed with Nine weeks ago the possibility of making the Townsville play-off a night match to avoid the humidity of the day.
When the Warriors contacted the league yesterday they were more concerned that such a change would give them one day less to prepare for the must-win match.
While a night match would seem more favourable to the Auckland-based Warriors, the Cowboys have an excellent success rate on Saturday nights.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr was diplomatic when asked about the issue. "Changing the game might be Graham [Murray's] opinion but it is not the position of the club," he said. "We are grateful to get another home final, and we're happy to go with what the NRL wants to do."
For Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, the hosting rights issue was less contentious. He said the Eels were happy to play at Telstra Stadium - the Bulldogs' home ground - on Saturday night, despite having won the right to host the match by beating the Warriors.
"We've always known that would be the case, and it is the closest ground to Parramatta for finals matches," Fitzgerald said. "Telstra Stadium holds no fears for us. We've beaten both the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers there this season."
