NRL 2020: Souths coach Wayne Bennett proposes two-conference system, new Grand Final
When the NRL returns this season, it could go through the biggest revolution in the game’s history, with South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett urging the game to take a leaf out of the NFL’s book.
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The NRL competition structure could be about to go through the biggest revolution in rugby league’s history when play returns — and that could be as soon as June 1.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Wayne Bennett is driving a game-changing proposal to introduce a conference style set up similar to what is used in the NFL.
It would break the competition into two divisions of eight teams, with four from each group going through to separate finals series.
This would ultimately end with a team from each conference in a Super Bowl type grand final.
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It would still be called the grand final but the concept is the same as a Super Bowl.
It is understood Bennett’s proposal is already before Wayne Pearce’s Project Apollo team and Bennett is set to meet with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys in the coming days.
Bennett’s proposal would have one division made up of the seven out-of-Sydney clubs with one of the nine Sydney teams also put into the group.
North Queensland, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne and New Zealand along with one Sydney club would make up one conference.
The other conference would be all Sydney teams, with each clubs having to take it in turns to switch into the other conference if the concept continues in years to come.
Bennett has been pushing this idea for years but until now it has fallen on deaf ears because no one in the administration has ever been bold enough to take the leap into the unknown — even though the current competition format does not allow for two even home and away rounds.
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But this new conference concept would also give Sydney fans more rivalry rounds, and when the crowds are allowed back to the footy you’d expect it would result in bigger attendances and bigger TV audiences.
Bennett has stated previously when he pushed this conference system in past years that it would not only give Sydney fans more games against traditional opponents, but it would also give broadcasters more bang for their buck.
At a time when the game has to find ways to promote itself like never before, this idea has more merit than ever.
It is not the only competition structure being considered but it is fast winning support.
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Given the season is currently suspended, there is next to no chance of completing a full 25 rounds so the NRL has to be open to change.
Right now the NRL is investigating all scenarios of starting between June and September, which would determine how many regular season rounds could be played.
For instance if the competition kicked off in June or July there would be 19 rounds most likely.
If it starts in August it could cut down to 15 rounds and if the return is in September there will be 11 games before the finals.
In all scenarios each team would play seven games against fellow conference sides to start with.
After that, each four block breakdown of games would include two against teams in their conference and two outside conference games.
If the conference system was to move forward in future years teams from Sydney would have to take turns playing in the outside conference but they would be financially compensated for any potential costs involved.
NRL AIMS FOR THE STARS IN QUEST FOR RAPID RETURN
The NRL is channelling inspiration from US president John F Kennedy’s ambition to get a man to the moon by launching its own Project Apollo in a bid to fast-track return to the field by as early as mid-June.
The NRL has formed an innovation committee led by ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce, premiership winning coach Trent Robinson, Raiders boss Don Furner and RLPA chief executive Clint Newton.
Former deputy premier Troy Grant, NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley plus executives Liz Deegan and Andrew Abdo are also on the committee, which met on Wednesday.
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While July 1 has been touted as a potential start-date there are moves afoot to try to fast-track the game’s return as early as the middle of June.
The group has rekindled the spirit of the US space race as its launches a salvage mission to save rugby league.
“We’ve called it Project Apollo,” Pearce said. “Because when Kennedy said he wanted to get a man on the moon by the end of the decade people didn't think it was possible. Not even the people working on the project.
“The boss Peter V’landys has said he wants a July 1 start. He has done what JFK did so we have to make it happen.”
While Kennedy did not live to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon on July 20, 1969 on Apollo 13, the NRL committee is planning to have the competition resume by the start of July.
The potential for wildcard play-offs, wooden spoon battles and a three-game grand final series have all been mooted publicly. Pearce said the group did not discuss any of those measures.
Instead they focused on what a proposed competition would resemble and the measures needed to ensure player safety.
“We are aiming for the NRL to kick-off on July 1,” Pearce said.
“That’s something we believe can happen. We have to get a whole lot more detailed information on a number of areas.
“We have to look at competition structures, details around biosecurity measures and logistics.
“What we acknowledge is we have to put some sort of bubble around players in terms of a firewall that’s going to keep our players and the community safe and what measures do we put in place to ensure our players’ safety.”
Among the elements discussed included breaking the competition into conferences and housing multiple teams at the one precinct.
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However, Pearce said it was unlikely that the 16 teams would stay and play in the one spot.
“How are we going to create an environment to guarantee to the best of our ability will be COVID free and to maintain that status?” Pearce said.
“It’s less likely in be one venue, unless that venue can guarantee there are separate bubbles that can be enforced at the venue. I’m not saying it can’t happen.
“The more likely option would be conferences. Different areas where the players will be housed. So if somebody gets (the virus) it doesn’t affect the whole competition.
“There are different options we will have to look at.”
The group will meet again on Thursday.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Souths coach Wayne Bennett proposes two-conference system, new Grand Final
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