That's entertainment Folks!

[The Who]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

 

[manlyfan76]

It's entertainment not entertaining.

I agree with all of your points.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

You have to admit though - it was fun watching a worried bunch of Parramatta players (on the sideline) wondering if they were going to lose - after leading 44-12 with about 12-15 minutes left.

Or last night, with the Dame Joans losing on the bell.*

*I have rekindled my liking for Shaun Johnson.

 

[Nordburg]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

Whilst it was a tough result,one of the best games of the last 20 odd years,was the Roosters 4-0 win over Manly in the Qualifying Final of 2013.You can blame PVL for the current situation

 

[ManlyTragic]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

Personally i prefer to see backline tries like we did against the dogs ……rather than tries from a John Pearce bomb like we did in the 70s

Just saying’

 

[skull61]

I don’t know man maybe they can learn to tackle or something

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Whilst it was a tough result,one of the best games of the last 20 odd years,was the Roosters 4-0 win over Manly in the Qualifying Final of 2013.You can blame PVL for the current situation

That , which I saw live ( and I know we lost ) was the greatest game of football I’ve witnessed live.

Yeah I know we lost and many will quote 40-0, but that game had it all.

Two very similar teams throwing everything including the kitchen sink at each other in a get down & dirty , drag em down , absolute slugfest.

Incredible defence ( no try’s ) , incredible attack ( stopped by said defence ), only separated at the end by two penalties kick.

Amazing game.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

110% agree

And you are dead right , they looked at T20 and thought “ how can we create that in RL”.

Loads of 6 agains ( preferably back to back to back as no team can defend that) and the ultimate would be a 44 all drawn game so they can have golden point.

The broadcasters sit in the back room jizzing themselves in that scenario.

It’s not Rugby League any more it’s “ entertainment “😢😢😢😢

 

[Hertera]

NRL has gone the way of T-20, the bastardised version of a sport which was once called cricket.
Mistakenly thinking that all spectators wanted was sixers being hit, 'cricket' has become Super Hit, or **** for short. It has lost all the nuances of a fair contest between bat and ball.
Sadly, we've seen that happen to the NRL where rule makers have prioritised tries over other attributes, such as grit, toughness, low tackling, defence and courage. This current round has seen ridiculous score lines, referee-engineered comebacks, record numbers of players put on report for "high tackles", and indefensible decisions from The Clunker.
Almost everyone agrees that the best match this year was the third SOO which had everything 'old school' about the sport and didn't rely on tries to captivate its audience.
How I long for the days of a low tackle, a low penalty count, a concise rule book and low involvement from off-field officialdom. A low scoring match can be as entertaining as any; certainly more so than that embarrassing 44-40 Eels gigglefest. That wasn't rugby league, it was basketball without the basket.
An NRL match is now a one-trick pony. Watching tries is great, but not when there are 15 in a match. It's the same as hitting a six in cricket; it used to be a highlight, now it is commonplace and predictable.

You do know the crowds are up? We have sold out all our home games bar the 6om friday slot against the raiders so I'd suggest the game is flying.

I get it some people don't like it but the majority have spoken with their money and time. I know it's the cool thing to do blame PVL for the game but just maybe he knows what the majority like.

You complained about 20/20 cricket yet another sport with record crowds maybe it is you who is out of touch with the modern world.

Just because something has changed and you no longer see value in it doesn't mean others (clearly the majority) enjoy it.

 

[Hertera]

110% agree

And you are dead right , they looked at T20 and thought “ how can we create that in RL”.

Loads of 6 agains ( preferably back to back to back as no team can defend that) and the ultimate would be a 44 all drawn game so they can have golden point.

The broadcasters sit in the back room jizzing themselves in that scenario.

It’s not Rugby League any more it’s “ entertainment “😢😢😢😢

Come across as in my day.

 

[mave]

Can anyone explain why tries scored in the last 5 minutes cause the clock to stop, whilst tries scored in the previous 75 allow the clock to continue to run?

It's just another example of a scenario to potentially manipulate a "close result"....yesterday's farce at Parramatta being a prime example.

 

[The Wheel]

Can anyone explain why tries scored in the last 5 minutes cause the clock to stop, whilst tries scored in the previous 75 allow the clock to continue to run?

It's just another example of a scenario to potentially manipulate a "close result"....yesterday's farce at Parramatta being a prime example.

My guess would be to stop time wasting from teams winding down the bell

 

[mave]

My guess would be to stop time wasting from teams winding down the bell

So time wasting at 60 minutes is fine, at 75 minutes is not.

I'm gonna add this one to my "consistency is overrated " basket.

 

[Nike]

Yeah you're technically right however, go watch a game from the 80's then a game from this weekend.

Two completely different 'products' so you're on the money but the game they played back then is unwatchable now tbh.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You do know the crowds are up? We have sold out all our home games bar the 6om friday slot against the raiders so I'd suggest the game is flying.

I get it some people don't like it but the majority have spoken with their money and time. I know it's the cool thing to do blame PVL for the game but just maybe he knows what the majority like.

You complained about 20/20 cricket yet another sport with record crowds maybe it is you who is out of touch with the modern world.

Just because something has changed and you no longer see value in it doesn't mean others (clearly the majority) enjoy it.

Remember , it’s an opinion forum, mine & yours , both , count.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It probably comes down to the age you are.

If you’re in your teens all you’ve ever known is this brand of footy.

In your 20’s , almost the same

In your 30’s you’ll possibly have memories of the golden era (2006-2013) but not much further back.

In your 40’s & 50’s you’ll go back to that incredible period in the 90’s.

In your 60’s you’ll remember those dark years of the Eels wins, and our solitary 1987 GF victory.

In your 70’s you’ll go back to our first Grand Final victory and the incredible era of Bob Fulton , Terry Randall , MAL Reilly etc.

It’s hard to compare as all the eras are different.

There’s lots I love in the modern era , the athletic nature of the wingers , the speed , the precision kicking , I agree it’s pretty to watch.

But there’s lots I hate with the modern era , the manipulation of games to get close scores , the inconsistency of the refereeing, for most the complete lack of loyalty.

I’m outwardly not a fan of VLandy’s Ball , but I acknowledge lots are.

 

[The '47ers]

Getting rid of the 6 agains will bring all fans closer to a favourable opinion.

 

[wombatgc]

Getting rid of the 6 agains will bring all fans closer to a favourable opinion.

I gave up a while ago. stop, rewind, try and work out why a 6 again was given?
The scope for corruption in the 6 agains is enormous.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Sadly the game is easily manipulated and is fast becoming unwatchable. We’ll end up like Rugby Union.

 

[The Who]

You do know the crowds are up? We have sold out all our home games bar the 6om friday slot against the raiders so I'd suggest the game is flying.

I get it some people don't like it but the majority have spoken with their money and time. I know it's the cool thing to do blame PVL for the game but just maybe he knows what the majority like.

You complained about 20/20 cricket yet another sport with record crowds maybe it is you who is out of touch with the modern world.

Just because something has changed and you no longer see value in it doesn't mean others (clearly the majority) enjoy it.

Yep. It's almost certainly me who is old fashioned. I don't even have a Facebook account!
However, I was at Brookie for several matches in 'the good old days' with crowds of 27,000, so getting 17,000 to a match is not that impressive. Particularly when you know that the population of Sydney has doubled in that time.
My observation is this: you can have too many 'highlights' (tries) because, over time, they become commonplace. What then? The sport becomes an uneven contest between attack and defence. We all know it is so easy for officials to stage manage a try though penalties and six-agains. There is little incentive to bust a gut and defend because you know when your side has the ball it will inevitably result in a score. RL is already one-dimensional; just look at the scores. Like T-20, every rule introduced advantages the attacker (batter). In the NRL, low tackles are not rewarded.
As Mark pointed out, I too was lucky enough to witness the 4-nil semi-final loss to Easts at the old Sydney Football Stadium and it was so gladiatorial that it still triggers memories.