David EdwardsRugby Make Right Move Towards ‘National’ League
November 10th 2006 11:49
Well the schedule for the first round of the NRL season came out today, and whilst there is not much to really analyse about the first eight games of the season, there are a few interesting points.
First of all, the fixture is really looking forward to stepping towards being a truly national league, with the first two games of the season being played in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.
Two Friday night games open up 2007 in style, and it’s the two Grand Finalists that attempt to strike first blood.
Defending premiers Brisbane will be hosting their first local derby of the year, as they square up against the Cowboys, whilst minor premiers Melbourne Storm attempt to recreate the ‘graveyard’ as they face up against the West Tigers at Olympic Park.
What is fantastic about this is the fact that the NRL is taking the concept of expanding their code nationally quite seriously. The first two matches of the year will not be hosted in Sydney, and rather rewarding sides because of their location, the two best sides are being rewarded with a Friday night match first round of the season.
The other interesting match is the Monday night game against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. As these are two of the oldest teams in the league, and with the Roosters celebrating their centenary next season, it is smart to give them the focus of the only match on that day.
However the Monday night football concept might fall flat on its face. The AFL have been experimenting with the idea for a number of seasons now, and despite the success it has over in America with their National Football League (Monday night football has the same hold as the Friday night games here), it does not seem to gel with the Australian sporting public.
Whilst there are thousands of theories why it doesn’t work (hard to find time on Monday, people are trying to focus on the week ahead, are just plain tired after the weekend), the simple fact of the matter is it does not grab the punters in like planned. However with this match holding quite a lot of sentiment for both sides, it could be the game that changes this thought process around.
And one final point, in the first round it seems the new franchise the Gold Coast Titans start with a baptism of fire, as they face up against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Even though they are hosting the preliminary finalists at Suncorp, the Dragons are a serious contender just on last year’s efforts. It seems the Titans are already fighting an uphill battle with only a Round set in stone.
Until next time, sports minds.
First of all, the fixture is really looking forward to stepping towards being a truly national league, with the first two games of the season being played in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.
Two Friday night games open up 2007 in style, and it’s the two Grand Finalists that attempt to strike first blood.
Defending premiers Brisbane will be hosting their first local derby of the year, as they square up against the Cowboys, whilst minor premiers Melbourne Storm attempt to recreate the ‘graveyard’ as they face up against the West Tigers at Olympic Park.
What is fantastic about this is the fact that the NRL is taking the concept of expanding their code nationally quite seriously. The first two matches of the year will not be hosted in Sydney, and rather rewarding sides because of their location, the two best sides are being rewarded with a Friday night match first round of the season.
The other interesting match is the Monday night game against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs. As these are two of the oldest teams in the league, and with the Roosters celebrating their centenary next season, it is smart to give them the focus of the only match on that day.
However the Monday night football concept might fall flat on its face. The AFL have been experimenting with the idea for a number of seasons now, and despite the success it has over in America with their National Football League (Monday night football has the same hold as the Friday night games here), it does not seem to gel with the Australian sporting public.
Whilst there are thousands of theories why it doesn’t work (hard to find time on Monday, people are trying to focus on the week ahead, are just plain tired after the weekend), the simple fact of the matter is it does not grab the punters in like planned. However with this match holding quite a lot of sentiment for both sides, it could be the game that changes this thought process around.
And one final point, in the first round it seems the new franchise the Gold Coast Titans start with a baptism of fire, as they face up against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Even though they are hosting the preliminary finalists at Suncorp, the Dragons are a serious contender just on last year’s efforts. It seems the Titans are already fighting an uphill battle with only a Round set in stone.
Until next time, sports minds.
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