Wayne Bennett has proposed an intriguing alternative to the NRL's suggested Wild Card round, expressing his views after being questioned about it. While he seemed indifferent to the Wild Card idea, he shifted the discussion towards an innovative concept for the league's structure.
"I don't really have a point of view on the wildcard so much," Bennett commented. He emphasized the importance of player management during a lengthy season, noting, "If I'm in the top three or four teams and I need to rest my players, I'll do that." He acknowledged the benefit of three byes throughout the season, suggesting they ease some of the burden.
Bennett then introduced the prospect of a conference system, similar to that of the NFL. He envisioned a framework where teams could be organized into city and country conferences. "Maybe we'll look at the conferences; that might be better than the wildcard," he proposed.
This structure would ensure that Sydney clubs face each other multiple times a season. "The best crowds in the playoffs in Sydney are when [the Sydney teams are playing] - they'll get 60-70,000 people." In his view, integrating teams from outside Sydney, like the Cowboys and Broncos, might result in lesser attendance.
Bennett suggested that a preliminary final featuring two Sydney clubs would create an electric atmosphere, bringing in large crowds similar to those seen in American football playoff games.