SEN’s Scott Sattler and Andrew Webster have discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the NRL expanding to a 20-team competition.<\/p>\n
It was recently reported by the Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas that the NRL was sitting down with broadcast partners about what the competition would look like with that arrangement.<\/p>\n
If it were to go ahead as Chammas reported, it would see the 20 teams split into four conferences based on geographical location and play a total of 23 games a season.<\/p>\n
This means that each team would play each other once, with the four remaining matches being against their divisional rivals again.<\/p>\n
Webster believes that if the ARLC decides to bring in a 20th team into the NRL, it will allow for a fairer competition amongst the sides.<\/p>\n
“I was less worried about the conference system as the 20-team competition,” Webster said on SEN.<\/p>\n
“I mean, the fact we would have 20 teams, and you can shorten the season. It’s a fairer draw because everyone plays each other once.<\/p>\n
“But for mine, anyone who loves watching the game long enough, we all love Rugby League to death.<\/p>\n
“But you can love something to death if you have too much of it. I think the (current) season is too long; a 20-team competition allows you to shorten that season.”<\/p>\n
But Sattler feels having 20 teams in the competition will dilute its quality and effect the finals, using the 1998 season as an example.<\/p>\n
“PVL (Peter V’Landys) says 20 teams is the right number,” Sattler noted.<\/p>\n
“Now, I played in a 20-team comp back in 1998.<\/p>\n
“It was ugly at times.<\/p>\n
“It was a top 10 and Doggies fans would remember that you came from ninth that year to get to the grand final against the Brisbane Broncos.<\/p>\n
“So, what it would mean with a ten-team finals system is that you would have clubs with a losing season. What I mean by that is you’ve lost more games than you’ve won.<\/p>\n
“It’s a very NFL-style system.”<\/p>\n