Could the NRL introduce a wildcard weekend?
Debate has once again erupted regarding whether rugby league powerbrokers should re-work the current eight team series to include another week of finals football.
In 2019, the NRL briefed clubs on a proposal that would see a wildcard round introduced as early as 2020 before they backflipped on the move following public outrage.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Now the concept has come in focus once again, with The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio explaining how it could work next season on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
“Teams seventh through 10th play in a sudden death final. Seventh plays ten, eight plays nine and you’re knocked out,” Riccio said.
“You’re dragging nine and ten teams into the finals.”
In November last year, the AFL announced wildcard finals would be introduced into their competition in 2026, taking the place of the traditional pre-finals bye.
Over the weekend, 10th placed Carlton downed Melbourne who finished the regular season in seventh, while eighth seed Western Bulldogs bested Collingwood.
The team that finished fifth (Geelong) now plays Carlton, the lowest-ranked winner, while sixth (Adelaide) plays the highest-ranked winner out of wildcard weekend.
However, NRL360 host Braith Anasta raised the pressing question.
“Why are we rewarding mediocrity would be my question? Some teams would lose just as much as they win and still be playing finals,” Anasta said.
Looking at the current NRL ladder, the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs, the teams in ninth and 10th, would play post-season football with a losing record of 11 wins and 12 losses.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
“Even top eight, some people think that’s too many. But at least usually you have a 50/50 record,” Crawley said.
