The need for change

[cos789]

The Bulldogs and the Storm were 2 and 3 in attack this year and easily the two best teams to watch from that POV. Yea we could probably do with a bit more scoring, but it was the Grand Final.

GFs are tradionally a lot tighter than seasons games.
Perhaps it's easier to tighten defences than to pull off spectacular offensive moves.
Still IMO it's better to watch attacking flair rather than repetitive defense;
or watching some team making their destiny as against waiting for somebody to make an error.

 

[Aucklander]

GFs are tradionally a lot tighter than seasons games.
Perhaps it's easier to tighten defences than to pull off spectacular offensive moves.
Still IMO it's better to watch attacking flair rather than repetitive defense;
or watching some team making their destiny as against waiting for somebody to make an error.

This thread just doesn't make any sense. You want spectacular offensive moves while supporting an AFL team whose greatest asset is shutting down the attacking prowess of other teams.

How many NRL games did you actually watch this year?

 

[papabear]

Canterbury played quite a bit of footy especially in the second half, they were just unlucky none of it came off.

Just because the scoreline is low doesnt mean the attack wasn't good, it obviously means a very good defence but it can also come down to other things, like the bounce of the ball VR decisions etc.

 

[cos789]

This thread just doesn't make any sense.?

I think the article speaks for itself.

How many NRL games did you actually watch this year?

GEM has rl live now so I did look at games.

 

[Mint Condition]

Paul Kent's follow up article makes a better argument:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...paul-kent-writes/story-fn2mcuj6-1226489611468

The stats on the slowing down of the game are pretty telling.

 

[pantskyle]

And that was the point of the article.
The best attacking side in the competiton couldn;t score.

We were the best attacking side. We scored fine.

 

[Aucklander]

We were the best attacking side. We scored fine.

Actually, the Cowboys were, but both were great to watch.

I'd have no issue with a 3 sec PTB, but would hate to see interchanges anymore than they are now and certainly not unlimited.

 

[pantskyle]

Actually, the Cowboys were, but both were great to watch.

I'd have no issue with a 3 sec PTB, but would hate to see interchanges anymore than they are now and certainly not unlimited.

Home and Away sure but for the year we were.

 

[cos789]

Paul Kent's follow up article makes a better argument:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...paul-kent-writes/story-fn2mcuj6-1226489611468

The stats on the slowing down of the game are pretty telling.

He makes a good case though I'd like to see a greater selection of games for comaprison.

.

 

[moto748]

Yes, an interesting piece, but as the comments pointed out, comparing one game now with one game twenty years ago doesn't prove anything. That's not to say that a full analysis *might* not prove him right, though.

 

[Mint Condition]

My guess is that the number of PTB's in a game would have peaked around the super league era when there was unlimited interchange and no wrestling etc. I think the slowing down would have really begun when they introduced the dominant tackle rule. As I said previously I think there's a healthy middle ground where rugby league is at its best and that right now it's a little too far on the slow side. It's not like it's way off or anything though.

It would be better to get more analysis but I think by picking a game 20 years ago makes it pretty stark. The players are definitely more athletic and fitter than they were then, and there's no contest for possession at the scrum or PTB...yet there were far less PTB's in this year's GF. Needs more evidence but I do think that is pretty telling.

 

[cos789]

The players are definitely more athletic and fitter than they were then,

And most of that gets channelled into better defensive efforts.

.

 

[CooperCronk]

I wonder why paul kent didn't write a similar story when the Dragons won the 2010 premiership?
Melb and the Dragons had a very similar defensive structure in place.

 

[Feraligatr]

The article gave me a headache.

 

[storm fan]

This is a funny thread. Rugby League is the best on-field product in the world, while some areas need tuning up here and there to move with the times, these claims are just silly and show a lack of understanding of the sport.

Yes, we managed to shut down the best attacking team in the competition and yes that team had trouble scoring but it wasn't through a lack of opportunities, it was because each opportunity the Bulldogs had was handled by the Storm.

If the article had any shred of truth, we wouldn't see the end to end games of Rugby League that are played year in, year out.

 

[cos789]

these claims are just silly and show a lack of understanding of the sport.

I don't think so.
It's about what appeals to different people.
Why did they change from 5m to 10m?

.

 

[storm fan]

GEM has rl live now so I did look at games.

There is a big difference between looking at games and watching games.

I don't think so.
It's about what appeals to different people.
Why did they change from 5m to 10m?

If you a game as open as Rugby League currently is, isn't a spectacle then Rugby League isn't the game for you or you don't really watch the games each week.

The more likely scenario here though, is a strictly AFL fan who for one reason or another (I won't mention the real reason to prevent a off-topic argument) hates Rugby League has found what he/she conceives as a anti-RL article and posted it up in order to get a reaction from RL fans.

 

[cos789]

If you a game as open as Rugby League currently is, isn't a spectacle then Rugby League isn't the game for you or you don't really watch the games each week.

Well thankyou for that. Much appreciated.
I watch American Football. I prefer it when they throw the ball as against running it.
Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the running game.
I just find the throwing game more interesting.

.

 

[CooperCronk]

Cos I am glad your appreciate rugby league..do you have a team?

 

[cos789]

Cos I am glad your appreciate rugby league..do you have a team?

of course, Easts.

 

[CooperCronk]

Very glad to read that Cos. IMO that had a very unlucky year, lots of potential for next season so you should be looking forward to it.

 

[storm fan]

Well thankyou for that. Much appreciated.
I watch American Football. I prefer it when they throw the ball as against running it.
Doesn't mean I don't appreciate the running game.
I just find the throwing game more interesting.

.

Rugby League and American Football "same game, different rules".

 

[cos789]

Rugby League and American Football "same game, different rules".

Both came from Rugby.
Amazing thar one rule change can alter things so much.
.

 

[storm fan]

All football codes came from the same place - a discussion for another time, another thread.

It's more then just one rule though.

 

[papabear]

They have one thing that I really enjoy in common, the players absolutely do everything in the power to try and keep the opposing team out of their backfield with ball in hand.

The attacking players on the other hand keep grinding away try to find a weakness to get that ball in the backfield.