Quote just_browny="just_browny"I must say I've read this forum for many years and you've always come across as one of the most conceited people on here. I'm sure you're a nice guy in person but I'm afraid the above post has only confirmed my opinion.'"
You're entitled to your opinion - I prefer to say that I argue my points of view with clarity and reasoning, just because I don't agree with you doesn't make me conceited, but whatever, I won't lose any sleep over it.
Quote just_browny="just_browny"There are a number of positive aspects to the play-offs,'"
There are, and I will never argue that there aren't - however, my key concern is to see RL grow and the only way in which to do that is to get more people through the turnstiles and spending money at the clubs (which includes merchandise revenues as well as turnstile clicks). My frustration is born from the fact that I continually face the same problem year on year that people see the main competition with derision, and yet are happy to get behind the idea of the Challenge Cup (and I have convinced many of the years to come to cup games, less so SL games because they see them as superfluous as the regular season league games simply aren't that important).
Quote just_browny="just_browny" which I didn't name one-by-one because I actually thought you'd done a decent job in your opening post (
). Namely, these are:
- Creating an additional set-piece occasion in the GF which is vital for the finances of the game and supports RFL grassroots investment. The game puts RL in the spotlight nationally (although not nearly as luch as it deserves) for one day in the year in a way that a FPTP system almost never does.'"
Very true. We do of course have the Challenge Cup which does the same job, but it can never hurt to have additional show piece events.
Quote just_browny="just_browny"- The play-off games generate excitement and additional revenue as mentioned, and although crowds drop off slightly from the weekly rounds (because season tickets aren't included), Sky figures are excellent at this time of year.'"
And here's another point I find myself having to argue - it's difficult to argue with the national media who wonder why they should be obliged to over coverage to a sport that can't even sell-out it's small stadia for show piece games at the most critical time of the year. There are many reasons why people don't turn up to these games, much in the same way many people don't bother turning up to watch the early rounds (and in some cases, the QF/SF stages, too) of the competition-proper, but ultimately, the game could be so much more commercially successful and generate more revenue if it could sell tickets to these games, I don't claim to know the answer as to how to get more people through the turnstiles though, beyond increasing the sports' credibility in the eyes of the uninitiated.
Quote just_browny="just_browny"
- The play-off system keeps the season alive for far more clubs and gives smaller clubs an objective and incentives throughout the season.'"
It does give the mid-order teams something to aim for, but can you honestly say that a team that won less than half it's regular season games ought to be in the mix-up for the final prize? I'm much more comfortable with, and would protest far less, the idea of a top 5 playoff system that we had in 1998 when it was re-introduced.
Quote just_browny="just_browny"You should have explained to these people that it isn't a 'sudden death knock-out' competition - er, because it isn't.'"
No, but that's how the neutrals see it, and apart from the teams higher in the order having a 'second chance', let's be honest, it IS knock-out, it's this very fact that generates the intensity and atmosphere that the playoffs provide (and, I might add, which I love).
Quote just_browny="just_browny"For some reason people seem to be embarrassed of our game's traditions in a way that fans of other sports never are.'"
I would say I [iwould be[/i embarrased if a team that won less than half of it's regular season games were crowned champions, not that I [iam[/i embarrassed.
Quote just_browny="just_browny" Maybe Wimbledon should be decided on a league basis, or the football world cup? After all, that would surely show the 'best' sides who had been consistent, rather than the result of a tie-break or a penalty shootout.'"
Don't be stupid - these are knock out competitions. Interesting to note that, in tennis for example, the "world #1" slot is decided on a league points system, and not a playoff at the end of the regular season
Quote just_browny="just_browny"Shooting itself in the foot commercially? That's certainly a well-worn platitude on RL forums but what is a better alternative system?'"
A system which the sporting public of the country you're in can get behind. Playoffs are not controversial in Aus or America for example, the current Super League system would seem to be perfectly natural in these countries. I challenge you to convince the sporting public of GB&I that a team finishing 8th being crowned 'league' champions is morally justifiable, you will find it incredibly difficult.
Quote just_browny="just_browny" Super League attendances are as high as they've ever been for top-flight RL and certainly the game is in better health commercially than it was in the 80s and 90s (incidentally, when we had FPTP).'"
And yet we still have clubs going in to administration. All is not exactly rosy in RL, we are currently pandering to the wishes of Sky in order to generate more revenue through the TV contract, because, let's face it, that's the easier money. Football isn't rich simply because advertisers and sponsors want to throw money at it, these people throw money at football because it has a huge target audience for them. Rugby League needs more people through the gates, Warrington's attendances are up right now, but that's on the back of success, I wonder what our crowds will be once we return to mid-table standing or worse?
). Namely, these are:
I'm afraid the way RL is presented in the media is a chicken and egg situation, until we have more people turning up to games, we'll find it harder to bring in bigger name sponsors, and until we have that, we'll find it difficult to get better exposure in the national media... And when it comes to generating interest, the national media is incredibly useful. I'm damned if I know the answer, if I did I'd be working at the RFL already.
