Golden point of ContentionThe recent spate of golden point extra time matches in the National Rugby League has again created vigorous debate as to whether or not it should be scrapped in favour of a fairer system for determining regular time deadlocks, and one that is conducive to more entertaining climaxes.
On Sunday, Canberra Raiders clawed their way back from a 24-0 deficit after 65 minutes against Brisbane Broncos, to level at 24-all after 80 minutes of normal time, but lost in extra time via a Peter Wallace field goal.
Round 13 featured two games that went into extra time; the former finishing in a 14-all draw between St George-Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels after golden point extra time, with both sides missing several field goal attempts; and the latter, finishing with a Robbie Farah field goal in the 87th minute, to give the Wests Tigers a scrappy 17-16 victory over Newcastle Knights.
Players and coaches have weighed into the debate, with opinions divided as to whether the system should be changed.
Tigers coach, Tim Sheens, and Sea Eagles coach, Des Hasler, have been opponents of the concept since its implementation in the NRL in 2003. Even though the Tigers won its recent golden point match, Sheens used that particular post match press conference to reiterate his disapproval of the system.
Wayne Bennett also joined the list of those to speak out against the system, after his sides draw against Eels.
"I'm reading about all the supposed changes we should be making, and I'm sitting there watching them go another ten minutes tonight and I'm thinking, 'are we kidding ourselves or what?'
I'm happy with the draw, I've always been happy with the draw,” Bennett said.
On the flip side, there has been support for the system.
In the aftermath of their Round 13 deadlock, Eels prop, Tim Mannah, said the system should remain in place to increase the chances of a result being achieved.
“I can understand why the fans would be for it, even the players – we felt, after a draw that there was a bit of an empty feeling after the game,” Mannah said.
There is little questioning the fact that NRL fans, by and large, support the concept of extra time in settling deadlocks after the allotted 80 minutes; but has the NRL got it right by continuing with a golden point system which has thrown up its fair share of controversies over the years?
A particular golden point match between the Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers in 2006, where Todd Carney kicked a field goal to give the Raiders a 19-18 victory, is perhaps most remembered by Tigers supporters and players alike for two missed field goal attempts in the extra time period by their half-back, Scott Prince, in which he appeared to be hampered by offside defenders. It drew harsh criticism from Tigers coach, Tim Sheens, and several rugby league commentators.
However, defenders putting themselves in offside positions when rushing to put pressure on players going for field goals at the end of tight contests, has become common practice in the NRL. This is due to an obvious reluctance for NRL referees to blow penalties in situations where it may directly or indirectly contribute to deciding the result of a game.
The suggestion has been thrown up numerous times, and given the scrappy, conservative and anti-climactic rugby league consistently displayed in golden point periods, a golden try system could prove to be a beneficial alternative.
Golden point rugby league is conducive to conservative tactics to gain good field position, so teams can get into a decent spot to kick a field goal. A golden try system, where the first team to score a try wins the match, would encourage teams to throw caution to the wind without the lingering concern of potentially leaving the opposition in a decent field goal position through an error. It would also give referees more leeway to give penalties during the extra time period.
The NRL could also tinker with the idea of playing until a result is reached, irrespective of how long a match goes for. It as an idea that would gather staunch criticism from critics that argue that extra time in rugby league contributes to player burnout, but there is no question that from the fans point of view, it would lend to entertaining climaxes. Furthermore, it guarantees there will be a result either way, making the exercise of having an extra time period worthwhile 100% of the time.
An unlimited golden try system could be the answer to revitalise the extra time period in rugby league, and could rid the game of a system that lends to anti-climactic finishes to matches, and seemingly attracts nothing but controversies.
Source: League Unlimited
Topic: Golden point of Contention
