Talking Footy

King-Eliagh wrote:

the tab had Fremantle at 1.03 to win at three quarter time. All and sundry knew that game was well and truly over well before 3/4 time. Xman doesnt cut it as sundry in terms of AFL comp knowledge.

Xman wrote:

As the NRL attempts to sell itself as a $1 billion television product, damning statistics that show why the game is becoming more boring to watch.

In 2012, the NRL's entertainment value has nose-dived because it is being bogged down by a wrestling epidemic, illegal and go-slow tactics that has resulted in fewer tries, fewer offloads and fewer line breaks than ever before.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... 6331029255

So, while our forums RL fans are celebrating the NRL as a more even competition, probably due to lower, closer scores, this has come at the expense of excitement with even fans complaining the game is becoming boring!

No wonder this years crowds for the NRL are lower than any of the last 6 years!

NRL, the boring code!

Has the NRL gone boring this year? Seven rounds into the season it has become a talking point. In the first 56 matches this season, 17 have featured a winning score of 18 or less.
This is roughly 30 percent. Five teams have failed to score a point.
Penrith has just copped consecutive 30-0 defeats at the hands of Manly and Wests Tigers. Looks like Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has a lot of work to do.

Rugby league pundits have called on David Gallop to quash the epidemic of negative tactics plaguing today's game - and Fox Sports commentator Brett Kimmorley says the game's boss should start with the dead-ball rule.

Kicking for space and field position was once an art form mastered by the likes of Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns.

But while the ploy might be privately applauded by some coaches, it's frustrating fans and making some matches almost unwatchable - not ideal at a time when the NRL is attempting to sell itself as a $1 billion television product.

Friday night's clash between St George Illawarra and Newcastle saw Jamie Soward - one of the best kickers in the game - opt to belt the ball dead and concede 20-metre restarts, rather than risk dealing with potent ball-runners Akuila Uate and Darius Boyd.

As a result, the second half deteriorated into what Kimmorley described as "boring".

"The Dragons took Uate and Boyd out of the game by kicking it dead and in the end we saw 20 minutes of no one playing football," Kimmorley said.

"You don't have to be a very good kicker to kick the ball dead every time. To be able to put the ball into a corner or have it go over the sideline takes a fair bit more skill.

"Anyone can kick it dead."

Kimmorley suggested the ARL Commission look at changing the rule for the good of the game.

But along with grappling, wrestling and breaching the defensive 10 metres, the new ploy of intentionally kicking the ball dead has become yet another tactic adopted by teams to slow down the game and reduce the variables.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... 6332976874

King-Eliagh wrote:

Interesting article. Teams will always try on tactics and although i didnt see this game i can see how that would make the game boring. fairly shameful tactic but within the rules. The AFL has long had similar strategies with similar results such as flooding. So really nothing to see here apart from an ex nrl players positive contribution to potential changes for the better.

King-Eliagh wrote:

"still in the grip"?

Ah xman we have it occurring for one half of football, once. Thats all we have. And already we have people picking it up and trying to squash it out of the game.

Unfortunately you are applying AFL speak to the nrl here. I'm well aware the AFL comp was "in the grip of boring defensive play" for years with flooding tactics.

Nice try but this thread is fast turning into a clear pro RL evidence based thread contrary to its intention hahaha hooohohoh ahrrrghhhhahaha hehe haha ahhhh... yes.

All season footy fans have become increasingly frustrated at some of the negative tactics being employed by all teams - and Fulton on Tuesday night declared it was time referees got tough for the good of the game.

"I've seen some of the worst games I've ever seen in my life this year," Fulton said. "Defence at the ruck is ruining the game.