LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
NRL club executives are reportedly reconsidering their stance on the finals format, advocating for a radical change termed a 'Wildcard Weekend'. This initiative aims to alleviate teams' pressures to rest key players, an issue highlighted by the recent Panthers' decision to rest numerous stars. Previously, ARL Chairman Peter V'Landys had mentioned to Yahoo Sport Australia that introducing additional teams into the finals wasn't a priority and likely wouldn't happen soon.
However, according to the Daily Telegraph is reporting that officials are warming to the idea following Penrith's recent lineup changes. The concept has resonated among club leaders, particularly the CEOs of the Broncos and South Sydney, who support this fresh approach.
Under the proposed 'Wildcard Weekend', two additional teams would enter the finals. The system would see the 7th place team face the 10th and the 8th against the 9th, allowing the top six teams a week of rest. Winners from these matchups would then take the 7th and 8th positions in the playoff bracket, with the finals proceeding as traditionally scheduled thereafter.
The Panthers' choice to rest 16 players against the Bulldogs sparked considerable discussion. With a top-four finish appearing unlikely and the benefits of home finals diminished, coach Ivan Cleary decided to rest his first-grade squad as they gear up for the playoffs.
There have been suggestions for the NRL to implement a pre-finals bye week to ease the need for resting players, which could compromise the competition's integrity. However, proponents of the 'Wildcard Weekend' argue that it provides an effective alternative. It allows for two competitive games ahead of the finals, ensuring fans remain engaged.
If the 'Wildcard Weekend' format were in play, the Panthers might not have opted to rest their players, especially with their current seventh-place standing. This change might encourage them to aim for a top-six finish to gain a week off through competitive play instead of resting players. Being in seventh place would mean an unavoidable additional match, raising the stakes to secure a championship title.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly expressed his support for the idea in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. He opined that the 'Wildcard Weekend' should only be considered when the competition expands, stating, "This is definitely worth strong consideration when the competition expands to 18 and 19 teams." Solly also added that such a change could become a valuable commercial opportunity for broadcasters and sponsors, emphasizing that a switch to wildcard playoffs may be necessary as the competition grows to 20 teams.