National Rugby League Finals System Explained

slide rule · Aug 20, 2012

sharkyboy said:
Well if in the bottom 4 you are Versing ****tier teams. I'd rather verse the broncos/tigers then the dogs or manly week 1

Yep.

And hypothetically, if we were to win in the first week of the finals (from the bottom 4) and Manly were to lose (from the top 4), we could play them at the SFS.

In that case they wouldn't even have the advantage of playing us at home, because the venue would be totally neutral. And I'd rather be coming off a win than a loss.

Mark^Bastard · Aug 20, 2012

slide rule said:
Yep.

And hypothetically, if we were to win in the first week of the finals (from the bottom 4) and Manly were to lose (from the top 4), we could play them at the SFS.

In that case they wouldn't even have the advantage of playing us at home, because the venue would be totally neutral. And I'd rather be coming off a win than a loss.

Yeah I'd rather come off a win over a crap team than a loss over a good team.

The teams that lose in week 1 will have played a top 4 team trying to set the mood for their finals campaign, surely the loss would take a lot out of them.

Mr Ryan · Aug 20, 2012

I don't see the problem with playing at the SFS or Homebush.

You gotta remember "home" finals have only been around since the NRL formed in 1998.

Before that they were all at the SFS (in 95/96 there was also 1 at Suncorp and 1 at Parra Stadium). This was pre Olympic Stadium of course.

I used love going to semis at the SFS. The Cronulla games were great, but so were the neutral games. You even get a ticket for all the semis for about $200.

I wish we could go back to those days, obviously we can't because its the NRL these days and theres a real chance you end up with Melbourne v Cowboys with 8000 people there.

Big matches at the big stadiums, thats the way its always been for over 100 years (except for 98-2010).

slide rule · Aug 20, 2012

Mr Ryan said:
I don't see the problem with playing at the SFS or Homebush.

You gotta remember "home" finals have only been around since the NRL formed in 1998.

Before that they were all at the SFS (in 95/96 there was also 1 at Suncorp and 1 at Parra Stadium). This was pre Olympic Stadium of course.

I used love going to semis at the SFS. The Cronulla games were great, but so were the neutral games. You even get a ticket for all the semis for about $200.

I wish we could go back to those days, obviously we can't because its the NRL these days and theres a real chance you end up with Melbourne v Cowboys with 8000 people there.

Big matches at the big stadiums, thats the way its always been for over 100 years (except for 98-2010).

We also only had 4 or 5 teams in the finals, not 8.

And 4 or 5 games, not 9.

The first week should be allowed at suburban grounds if the club chooses. IMO.

Mark^Bastard · Aug 20, 2012

They should just use common sense.

Toyota holds 22,000, yet look at its record crowds http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums_crowds.php?id=126

For example our last home final against the Raiders in 2008 was 18,252 people. Why can't a game like that remain at Toyota? Fantastic atmosphere at Toyota, would have been no where near as good at the SFS.

Maybe sell tickets and say the venue will be Toyota, unless we sell more than 22,000 at which point the venue will be moved to the SFS.

GymeaGorilla 72 · Aug 20, 2012

I'm happy playing out of the SFS, in the fair dinkum department there were 16400 at the game on Saturday night and it was 25 mins to get a beer - a bloody disgrace, so I didn't drink which is tough

I want to be able to have a beer and watch the game, not stand in lines waiting for beer and missing half the game. It's a final and if we can't cater for the fans then don't deserve to host a home semi. The game day experience leaves a lot to be desired, i know we are short on cash but it's the reason people stay away from they'd rather watch at home or the pub knowing they can get a quick beer or food.

slide rule · Aug 20, 2012

GymeaGorilla 72 said:
I'm happy playing out of the SFS, in the fair dinkum department there were 16400 at the game on Saturday night and it was 25 mins to get a beer - a bloody disgrace, so I didn't drink which is tough

I want to be able to have a beer and watch the game, not stand in lines waiting for beer and missing half the game. It's a final and if we can't cater for the fans then don't deserve to host a home semi. The game day experience leaves a lot to be desired, i know we are short on cash but it's the reason people stay away from they'd rather watch at home or the pub knowing they can get a quick beer or food.

Yeah Saturday night was really bad for some reason. The lines have generally been much better this year, though they were extremely poor the year before.

I think that's more to do with how many people they have working and which bars they choose to open rather than the grounds capacity or ability to cater for the event.

I think they kinda do it on purpose to prevent people from drinking too much. Which is unsatisfactory, because even if you want one beer, you still have to wait half an hour to get it.

hitman124 · Aug 20, 2012

It really sucks that if the finals were next week, we'd have the Tigers at SFS, and in my opinion we would be completely disadvantaged.

GymeaGorilla 72 · Aug 20, 2012

Exactly Slide Rule, they were expecting a big crowd so why didn't they cater for it? I understand some people drink too much but why disadvantage the majority.

They have security, police and bar staff to monitor the drunks

BurgoShark · Aug 20, 2012

What does all this mean for the Sharkies?

- A win this Friday night from either the Bulldogs (v Raiders) or Manly (v Brisbane) will guarantee a semi final spot

- If both of these teams win on Friday night the Sharks will likely play finals rd1 in Sydney

- If both of those teams win on Friday night and one of these things happen (Sharks win a game or tigers lose a game) the Sharks will definitely be playing finals rd1 in Sydney.

So get out your Manly pom-poms and shake 'em on Friday night!

GymeaGorilla 72 · Aug 20, 2012

As much as it pains i'll be barracking for the dragqueens tonight, if they can knock of the Cowboys we'll only need to beat them at home last round to finish ahead of them.

slide rule · Aug 20, 2012

GymeaGorilla 72 said:
As much as it pains i'll be barracking for the dragqueens tonight, if they can knock of the Cowboys we'll only need to beat them at home last round to finish ahead of them.

Don't worry it will pain the dragqueens fans more to know that if they win tonight they are doing us a massive favour. :cheers

BurgoShark · Aug 20, 2012

GymeaGorilla 72 said:
As much as it pains i'll be barracking for the dragqueens tonight, if they can knock of the Cowboys we'll only need to beat them at home last round to finish ahead of them.

They were saying on ABC radio yesterday that the Dragons have the best home record in the comp. They are a real chance IMO

Tatus · Aug 20, 2012

So if we win the first final coming 5th or 6th do we get a home final against the losing side in the top 4 from the week before?

Mark^Bastard · Aug 20, 2012

Tatus · Aug 20, 2012

Well that is a moment I would like to forget. Checked the table again and it clearly says if we are to win then we are the away side the next week. Quite the fail.

Mr Ryan · Aug 20, 2012

slide rule said:
We also only had 4 or 5 teams in the finals, not 8.

And 4 or 5 games, not 9.

The first week should be allowed at suburban grounds if the club chooses. IMO.

Was a top 8 in 95/96. Same system as will be used this year.

No home finals.

All games at SFS bar 1 at Suncorp, bar 1 at Parra Stadium.

They were probably best finals series I can remember.

The result of that first game in 95 still haunts me, but what an atmosphere at the SFS that day.

thedarkshark · Aug 20, 2012

burgess1978 said:
What does all this mean for the Sharkies?

- A win this Friday night from either the Bulldogs (v Raiders) or Manly (v Brisbane) will guarantee a semi final spot

- If both of these teams win on Friday night the Sharks will likely play finals rd1 in Sydney

- If both of those teams win on Friday night and one of these things happen (Sharks win a game or tigers lose a game) the Sharks will definitely be playing finals rd1 in Sydney.

So get out your Manly pom-poms and shake 'em on Friday night!

If manly loose both remaining games and we win both remaining games we are in the top 4

Tatus · Aug 20, 2012

The way manly are playing I don't see it happening. Here is to hoping Broncos come out firing out of desperation and win and the gold coast takes advantage and makes it back to back loses for manly. That would mean we have to beat Melb and NQ though.:hoping

thedarkshark · Aug 20, 2012

it will be interesting to see who is injured from manly after yesterday...could have a big impact on their run to the finals

National Rugby League Finals System Explained

Jaws

Great White

Bull Shark

Jaws

Great White

Bronze Whaler

Jaws

Jaws

Bronze Whaler

Super Moderator

Bronze Whaler

Jaws

Super Moderator

Not-So-Great White

Great White

Not-So-Great White

Bull Shark

Grey Nurse

Not-So-Great White

Grey Nurse