Why the NRL would be wise to consider radical grand final plan
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart first tabled a bold plan to have a best-of-three grand final series way back in 2005. Now he says the cash-strapped NRL can’t ignore the concept for a second time.
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It’s the rugby league revolution 15 years in the making.
Ricky Stuart tabled a best of three grand final series in his Sunday Telegraph column in 2005, and now says the cash-strapped NRL must not ignore this potential gold mine for the second time.
Stuart remains convinced the idea would be a winner, even if some say it is not a part of rugby league’s tradition.
Stuart has won grand finals and lost grand finals as a player and as a coach, so he has seen both sides of the argument.
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He reckons the idea now being pitched by New Zealand sports promoter Dean Lonergan
could be every bit as successful as the three-match Origin series.
And while the triple grand final plan has divided opinion, with Trent Robinson not a fan, Stuart also reckons talk it would erode the competition’s integrity is complete nonsense.
“For once let’s go out and make something unique,” Stuart said.
“This would give rugby league something that no one else has, and the players and fans would love it.
“We could have a three match State of Origin series to sell as well as a best-of-three grand final series.
“And it doesn’t just have to be a one off, I really think it could become a great tradition.
“Put it this way, we wouldn’t be copying any other sport. We are not copying AFL.”
Lonergan says playing a second grand final in Brisbane would result in a $28 million bonus for the NRL.
Stuart said a third game decider would only be played if necessary.
Given this season is going to be shortened because of the coronavirus anyway, Stuart said player burnout wouldn’t be an issue.
Even in 2005 Stuart already knew the main complaints would be that the season was too long.
But he said back then and maintains you could shorten the regular season rounds if it meant finishing with a blockbuster event like this.
“Would you only want to have one Origin now you know what it’s like to have three?” he asked.
“People have tried to come up with every possible way we can get the most money out of our next broadcasting deal.
“But they bag this. Why wouldn’t you look at this?
“Would you like to have seen us play the Roosters again after last year?
“I would have loved another crack at the Roosters.”
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NSW legend and Penrith grand final hero Mark Geyer was also on board.
“I love it because we will be starved of footy,” Geyer told Triple M.
“It would be fantastic to have the best of three grand finals provided it is over maybe Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday. You don’t want to stretch it too long. Have it in a week.”
But Robinson was not so sure.
“Best of three... I’d say we’ll be strapped for time,” Robinson told SEN Radio.
“I would be giving the opportunity, if it’s a shortened competition, for the top eight and for teams to get the opportunity to play finals footy, to get finals coffers filled for more clubs.
“I think (the grand final series) would really benefit the AFL or the NRL and also the two teams, but we need to support the whole competition.”
Stuart said getting players up for a second or potentially third grand final would not be an issue.
“We have to get them up for 25 rounds now and the final series. I’m sure you could get them up for another grand final,” Stuart said.
Originally published as Why the NRL would be wise to consider radical grand final plan
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