LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NRL is facing backlash over teams potentially "running dead" in the final round of the regular season, leading to renewed calls for the league to adopt simultaneous kick-offs like in football.
This move would ensure all games are played on the same day at the same time, preventing teams from manipulating results to secure their position on the ladder.
The idea is to avoid situations where certain teams rest key players to ensure their fitness for the finals, potentially impacting the outcome of other matches.
In 2012, the benefits of simultaneous kick-offs were evident in football when Manchester City won their first Premier League title in 44 years with a dramatic last-minute goal.
The result denied bitter rivals Manchester United the crown and created a captivating moment in sporting history.
The images of Man U players, coaching staff, and fans anxiously awaiting updates from the City game showcased the excitement and disappointment that can come with simultaneous kick-offs.
The NRL is currently facing a situation where top-four sides Brisbane, Penrith, the Warriors, and Melbourne have all indicated their intention to rest key players in the final round.
Fifth-placed Newcastle, who are already guaranteed a home final in week one, will also be keeping several players on the sidelines.
This strategy allows these teams to prioritize the fitness and well-being of their players ahead of the finals.
However, this approach has raised concerns about the integrity of the competition, as teams playing later in the round will have the advantage of knowing exactly what is required from them to secure certain ladder positions.
This could lead to further withdrawals and potentially impact the fairness of the competition.
By implementing simultaneous kick-offs, the NRL could ensure that all teams play their final regular-season games at the same time, removing the opportunity for manipulation and guaranteeing a level playing field.
This would create a more exciting and fair competition, similar to what is seen in major football leagues around the world.
The NRL is now under pressure to address this issue and consider making a major change to their scheduling.
The aim is to maintain the integrity of the competition and prevent teams from running dead in the final round.
Simultaneous kick-offs would create a thrilling finale to the regular season, with all teams fighting for their positions simultaneously and leaving no room for strategic resting of players.