Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 3:51 am  

Snowy wrote:

Attendances were dropping like a stone due to the mundane world of franchising and pointless games.

This should be the pick me up, the game needed.

There will be vital games played throughout the season !!

Where they? We had a bad year last year but so did most sports. Maybe more to do with the financial state of the supporter base than any mythical mundaness?

Given the evidence that when fans have to pay outside of their season tickets ie CC and playoffs, crowds are well below expectations how do you envisage the selling of shorter season tickets and then asking fans to pay for 7 games at the gate is going to pick up these crowds?

I don't disagree it does give clubs more to play for but I am not sure threatening clubs will financial oblivion is exactly the right way to motivate them!

I can see the trumpeting of the RFL on how SL's crowds are up in this new structure for the 22 games and then conveniantly ignoring the disaster that will befall the crwods of the bottom 4 teams and probably the 6th-8th placed teams who will get tonked by the top 5 teams for the third time in the season.

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:21 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

I don't think this will be a huge shift. But I do think it will open the game to expansion. Which for me is a good thing.

For others maybe not.

In the end it's all unknown. If you asked me what I would want in 3 years.

Less clubs financial troubles than the past 3 years.
More FT players.
A growth in the geographical spread of the game.

Before people say well it won't because x y or z. Or it wil because x,y or z.

We don't know! If you say you do, you are guessing. You maybe right, you maybe wrong. But saying it does not make it so.

Agreed.

The new structure is fantastic news for the game.

I expect clubs like Oxford and Bristol will really rev up their enthusiasm, sponsorship backing and player development now there is a clear and pretty short route to the top of the Rugby League pyramid in this country.

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:50 am  

The other factor that I haven't heard discussed yet is how points will be awarded in matches at each stage...obviously currently 3 points for win,2 for a draw plus the bonus point rule in the Championships...will these be retained for the first part of the season and then scrapped in the Middle 8? Or will they go back to 2 points for a win etc and no bonus point from the outset? Or will everyone adopt the current Championship system?

Personally I would prefer the last option...don't think that will happen though...bonus point rule might add some more uncertainty to the play-offs..

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:13 am  

These are the same clubs before franchising that could get in super league or even stay in super league we just had a yo-yo effect. FANS ASSUMING( Beware of the shadows) that now a silly promotion system is in place clubs will start gaining enough fans to generate enough revenue, Which they never could before franchising, Sponsors miraculously will never be interested and that super league actually has enough money to support 24 teams.

"you can't have it all your own way now" halifax fan, tell me about it the RFL will keep trying to provide to the needy. Its like a Sporting Branch of Labour.

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:22 am  

For the "needy" do you mean the bail out clubs like Bradford and Wakefield? You know, those SL clubs that have done all the hard work?

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:34 am  

littlerich wrote:

For the "needy" do you mean the bail out clubs like Bradford and Wakefield? You know, those SL clubs that have done all the hard work?

Funny you mention that majority of people agreed that super league needs to go to 12 so there is more money not in effect go to 24.

Bradford average attendance is far greater that any of the championship as well and in the past decade they produced far more academy players than any championship team. So they have far more to offer super league in there current plight than any championship team will over spend to keep up with any super league club.

[Dick Jones]

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:44 am  

SIMMSFAXTEDDY wrote:

Maybe it was the London players trying harder in that game?! They actually had something to play for, for a change!!

Sheffield were poor tht day compared to how they had been performing in the championship.

Also didn't London fly Out Jamie Soward the week before?!

I forget how London them got on in the next round vs SL opposition? Live on the bbc? Cricket score?

Some of you SL fans really do need to get a grip and support the sport as a whole rather than your obviously overgrown egos!

A couple of years ago Leigh would have beat Catalans but for bent referring and have beaten Salford in the cup . .....

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:22 am  

It's a start.

At least all the clubs have something to play for.

Whether these changes will increase attendances initially has to be seen. If interest is increased because of the new structures likewise.

I suppose because of this system there will have to be a playoff system because of not being able to play each team home and away under this proposal, but if it has to be it should be a top 4 round robin, I suggest to ensure that clubs do not aspire to the mediocrity that 8th place is success.

Anyway it's a new situation, let's hope it is the success that everyone who follows this great sport would like.

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:40 am  

Worzel wrote:

Sounds like a Socialist Super League IMHO. Little clubs getting the benefit from those who have been doing all the hard work....

You've clearly got a thing about socialism haven't you. And equally clearly you obviously know sweet FA about it.

Re: Today's big decision : Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:54 am  

Worzel wrote:

Sounds like a Socialist Super League IMHO. Little clubs getting the benefit from those who have been doing all the hard work....

Oh please do explain this.

I wait with bated breath for your explanation at whatever level or section you wish to answer on.

Here are few you could reply to

Financial acumen, Reserve sides, Development, recruitment policy, marketing, to be going on with.

This is a genuine request for an explanation if you believe that the sport is currently all inclusive.