92 pages, i dont think i will be looking through to find the responses to my last post!
But i just want to point out this last round (and i havent even considered this round before writing this post, so it could say anything) for those who say that a top 5 keeps the season alive for more teams for longer, meaning there are less meaningless games.
This week we see the following games:
St George v Penrith - Under the top 8 it was a nothing game with zero meaning or focus. Under the top 5, it becomes an absolute blockbuster with a top class side in St George having to produce the goods in the last game, just to be a chance of progressing (their fans would then have huge interest in other games of this weekend andmight even actually go along to them). Could have expected a full house and a great buzz.
Souths v Newcastle - top 8 - This is a huge game under the top 8, hard to improve. Under the top 5, it was admittedly a nothing game expect a much smaller crowd of probably more liike about 150000.
St George v Penrith - Top 8 - A nothing game. If St George win, they might jump a spot or two, but really it doesnt make much difference (under either the AFL or the McIntyre system). Under the top 5 it is an absolute blockbuster game. they need to win this game and hope like mad that Wests and the Cowboys dont both win. A loss finishes St George. The finals start early for St George Fans, expect a bumper crowd probably a sell out.
NZ Warriors v NQ Cowboys Last Chance for the NZ. Under the top 8, another match which means little. Whoever wins probably finishes 4th and the other 6th, (although if Saints had lost it would be a totally meaningless 4v5 game). Expect a decent game with fans looking to guage form with the result of little importance (although a win would be nice to give a higher finish position) but the most important thing is for their to be no major injuries. Under the top 5, we see a blockbuster game. The winner pretty much advances and the loser has probably played their last game although if NZ wins they still have to hope St George or Wests Tigers lose. Expect the game in NZ not only to sell out, but for their to have been massive publicity. Also, interest in NZ would have been far higher in the St George Penrith game from last night and tonights Wests game. In NQ, expect the ratings for the game to be massive. Even Wests fans will be keenly interested to see whether or not they will be in the finals or if they can make a mid week 5th place playoff.
Gold Coast v Parramatta - Battle for the wooden spoon under both systems. It would make zero difference for this game.
Cronulla v Wests Tigers - Top 8 Pretty much a nothing game. Expect a poor crowd at Cronulla. Top 5 - Another important game expect Tigers fans to travel in numbers for their desperate bid for the 5, and cronulla fans to show up eager to spoil the season of the tigers, so they can at least salvage some satisfaction from the season.
Canterbury v Canberra - A meaningless game and end to a disappointing season for both sides under both systems. I suppose if Canterbury win by a mile then they may have jagged a top 8 spot technically but i dont think that would add anything to interest really.
Broncos v Manly - A similar game under any system at all. Under the top 5 it is a preview of next weekends finals match, unless storm lose by a few and Manly win by a few, so i suppose there is that slightly better interest in the game for Manly fans, and Brisbane fans do get the satisfaction of ruining Manlys chance for a week off in the finals (not that this really makes any difference).
Melbourne v Roosters - top 8 - means nothing. top 5 - Roosters get a chance to play a part in ruining Melbournes chances of a week off in the first round of finals and Melbourne fans will have greater interest, because they will want the week off.
So, after looking at the two systems, in all but one game, the top 5 would have been much more interesting this round for all of the teams. The story is similar to this for most of the season. It is a myth that the top 8 keeps it more intersting for more teams, imo. And the 2 or 3 extra games at the end of the year (some of which even in finals still arent blockbusters doesnt make up for the lost interst during in the season). A toop 5 i s the only system to go.
