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NRL draw changes for 2008NRL draw changes for 2008Thursday, July 19, 2007 MEDIA RELEASE National Rugby League Chief Executives, senior players and coaches have welcomed changes to the competition structure that will ease the load on players next season. The changes follow weeks of negotiation between the NRL and its Broadcasters who have worked together to introduce a second bye to next year’s competition along with a small reduction of the Monday night schedule. The changes to Monday night will see the City-Country match revert to Friday evening, with no Monday night games preceding either City-Country or the mid-season Test. The clubs agreed today that the extra byes should be scheduled after each game of the Harvey Norman State Of Origin series to ensure that representative players are guaranteed a week’s rest before the finals. The three post-Origin byes will be scheduled to give maximum relief to those clubs who bear the greatest Origin load and could result in their stars playing one match – being an Origin match – in 24 days. “This is an issue we have been working on for some time with our Broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Nine and we certainly appreciate their support over these issues,” NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said today. “We entered some new territory this year with an extra team and a Monday night schedule, both of which have been highly successful for the game. “We also gave a commitment from the start that we would monitor the effects of the changes and we have been doing that since day one. “The Club Chief Executives today were fully supportive of what we are trying to do in 2008.” Australian Rugby League skipper Darren Lockyer today threw his support behind the planned changes. “From my personal experience as a player you really look forward to the bye,” he said. “In today’s environment, with every player so fit and strong, the game is getting more and more demanding. “The extra bye will give an important rest period that will make a difference.” Australian and NSW forward Willie Mason also welcomed the proposal. “That will help elite players prolong their club careers and rep careers,” he said. “I think the clubs will benefit and the players will benefit.” Blues State of Origin halfback Brett Kimmorley echoed the sentiments. “I think it’s a great idea because it allows the Origin guys to enjoy a bye with the rest of the players,” he said. “After that third Origin you get a week off then it it’s about nine weeks to go and you can really get excited about the run into the finals.” Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy added: “Two byes is certainly a good thing,” he said. “Players, especially rep players, need as much rest as they can get. “And City-Country on a Friday night is certainly the way to go.” The Rugby League Professionals Association also threw its support behind the initiatives. “It shows that the game is listening to the needs of the players and I think they will welcome it as a really positive move,” RLPA Chief Executive Matthew Rodwell said today. Clubs today have also agreed to continue with moves to examine ways of moving away from the current seeded pool system to focus on more marquee games in the competition. The draw proposal would retain the principle of each team playing each other once, with the remaining matches taking into account the attractiveness of either traditional contests or regional rivalries. “A sub-committee of clubs is looking for ways to maintain the integrity of the draw while still giving fans matches that they want to see where possible,” NRL Chief Operating Officer Graham Annesley said. “There are key rivalries that fans will want to see twice a year and we are investigating ways of increasing that likelihood while maintaining a fair draw for all clubs.” The CEO’s have agreed that there should be more modeling of the possible ramifications before making a final decision. The 2008 Draw Structure Source: http://www.pando.com.au/sponsorshipnews/releases/release/36330.html |