Golden point faces boot as Trent Robinson backs Wayne Bennett’s call

WAYNE Bennett’s call to get rid of golden point caused an uproar after the NRL grand final — but now thanks to a rival coach it could face the boot.

Johnathan Thurston kisck a field goal to win the 2015 NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Pics Adam Head

SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson has backed Wayne Bennett’s call to get rid of golden point.

Bennett created an uproar after Brisbane’s heartbreaking grand final loss to North Queensland when he suggested golden point was not a fair way to decide a rugby league season.

But as one of the two coaching appointments on the powerful NRL Competition Committee that votes on new rule changes, Robinson has declared his support for a “fixed time” in extra time to decide all finals matches.

And Robinson also said he would be happy to scrap golden point shootouts for regular NRL season matches.

The Competition Committee is scheduled to meet this month to talk over potential rule changes for next year, and that will be followed by the annual coaches conference.

Robinson agreed golden point needed to be discussed, and potentially addressed.

“My stance on it is that I think there was enough discussion during the season and every season and especially after the grand final to have a discussion about it at the Competition Committee,” Robinson said.

“It was tossed up (after the grand final) that we come back (for a ­rematch). I definitely don’t agree with that.

“I believe the attrition on that day is what we want.

“But I do believe in a fixed time (in extra time).

“I remember as a kid, someone could kick a field goal in the first minute but you could still win through a try right up until the end.

“I think it is worth a discussion.”

Johnathan Thurston kicks a field goal to win the 2015 NRL grand final. Picture: Adam Head

And as for regular-season matches, Robinson said that going back to the draw also had plenty of merit.

“I think sometimes two teams deserve to share points,” Robinson said.

“Sometimes on certain days teams don’t deserve to win or lose. That would be my opinion.

“I wouldn’t say I dislike the golden point. I am not against the golden point.

“But if I had my choice they would be the points that I discussed.”

Bennett was last week voted off the Competition Committee and South Sydney’s Michael Maguire took his spot.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said after the grand final that there was an opportunity to change the rule, but it was up to the Competition Committee to make the change.

Johnathan Thurston celebrates after kicking the winning field goal in the NRL grand final Picture: Phil Hillyard

Bennett has never been a fan of golden point since it was introduced in 2003 but his comments after the grand final created a backlash.

Some even labelled him a bad sport.

He has since won plenty of support from former players and ­officials.

Experts from Ken Arthurson to Ray Warren are also in favour of dumping golden point.

“I have never been in favour of golden point,” Arthurson said after the grand final.

“It really is a bloody lottery.

“I have always said I don’t see anything wrong with a draw.”

Warren added at the time: “I don’t want to take anything away from the Cowboys’ victory, (but) I believe golden point is grossly ­unfair.

“I have long felt that there has to be some adjustment to it.”

Trent Robinson has backed Wayne Bennett’s call to get rid of golden point.

Originally published as Golden point faces boot as Trent Robinson backs Wayne Bennett’s call