Week off Before Finals Start

[King Salvo]

The NRL should emulate the AFL and NSWRL junior reps by having a week off following the conclusion of the regular season before the finals commence.

3 of the 8 Finalists who don't play each other first week of finals are playing today, and luckily it wasn't 4, as who would have played the Friday Night game if that was the case?

Obviously, with concussions, a player would be ruled out of the first week of finals if they were in category 1 or they failed a HIA in these last round games.

The week off would mean those players would be available for the first week of finals under the NRL Concussion Protocols (11-day standdown).

Some will say it's the luck of the draw that Melbourne had the Thursday night game in the last round, but it does give them a leg up against their opponent in week 1 of the finals in having a few extra days off and to prepare.

The week off would be fair to all teams, especially for those required to travel, i.e., North Queensland/Auckland for an example, as basically it's a travel day and one day less to prepare.

Sure, they do this during the regular season, but finals are different.

[RoosterBooster]

It’s too logical for the NRL to introduce it

[Carlos Parra]

What sane person would expect fairness or common sense when it comes to the NRL?

[milanja]

The NRL should emulate the AFL and NSWRL junior reps by having a week off following the conclusion of the regular season before the finals commence.

3 of the 8 Finalists who don't play each other first week of finals are playing today, and luckily it wasn't 4, as who would have played the Friday Night game if that was the case?

Obviously, with concussions, a player would be ruled out of the first week of finals if they were in category 1 or they failed a HIA in these last round games.

The week off would mean those players would be available for the first week of finals under the NRL Concussion Protocols (11-day standdown).

Some will say it's the luck of the draw that Melbourne had the Thursday night game in the last round, but it does give them a leg up against their opponent in week 1 of the finals in having a few extra days off and to prepare.

The week off would be fair to all teams, especially for those required to travel, i.e., North Queensland/Auckland for an example, as basically it's a travel day and one day less to prepare.

Sure, they do this during the regular season, but finals are different.

They could only think about doing that once they have an even number of teams in the comp,

[Bates]

To have a scheduled week off would be grossly unfair to Sportsbet and their bottom line.

[Mickie Lane]

I like it the way it is.
Imagine no footy next week end, no thanks.

[Vasco]

I like it the way it is.
Imagine no footy next week end, no thanks.

AFL supporters don't like it either.

[Bondicigar]

I'm with the NRL on this one

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

The NRL should emulate the AFL and NSWRL junior reps by having a week off following the conclusion of the regular season before the finals commence.

3 of the 8 Finalists who don't play each other first week of finals are playing today, and luckily it wasn't 4, as who would have played the Friday Night game if that was the case?

Obviously, with concussions, a player would be ruled out of the first week of finals if they were in category 1 or they failed a HIA in these last round games.

The week off would mean those players would be available for the first week of finals under the NRL Concussion Protocols (11-day standdown).

Some will say it's the luck of the draw that Melbourne had the Thursday night game in the last round, but it does give them a leg up against their opponent in week 1 of the finals in having a few extra days off and to prepare.

The week off would be fair to all teams, especially for those required to travel, i.e., North Queensland/Auckland for an example, as basically it's a travel day and one day less to prepare.

Sure, they do this during the regular season, but finals are different.

Leave it the way it is. Otherwise if you finish in the top 4 and win week 1 of the finals that means you only play 1 game in 3 weeks.

[King Salvo]

There has a been a few wanting the bye week after the prelims and in the lead up to the Grand final as well - The NRL needs to look at it as this resting players during the latter rounds of the season makes a mockery of the comp and a week off before the finals will have coaches thinking twice about resting players.

[King Salvo]

Leave it the way it is. Otherwise if you finish in the top 4 and win week 1 of the finals that means you only play 1 game in 3 weeks.

Penrith rested their players last round vs Cowboys in 2022 - Played week 1 - Week 2 off - Week 3 was their second game in A month - no different to the top 5 days - Minor Premiers 1st week off - if they won the major semi straight to the GF - The GF would be their 2nd game in 4 weeks as well

[weplayforprems]

It should happen. The cowboys have had free wins three years in a row against Penrith and Melbourne because they’ve already wrapped up first and didn’t want to fly players up for a pointless game. This year it’s given the cows a home final.

You’d reckon they would rest far less players if there was a guaranteed break because you could have a situation where they’ve played 2 games in 5 weeks before a GF

[milanja]

Not ideal if you finish in the top 8 then have a bye in the final round, and then a week off the following week, unless 5 players got HIA 2weeks earlier.

[Waylander]

Penrith rested their players last round vs Cowboys in 2022 - Played week 1 - Week 2 off - Week 3 was their second game in A month - no different to the top 5 days - Minor Premiers 1st week off - if they won the major semi straight to the GF - The GF would be their 2nd game in 4 weeks as well

Which a lot of the players / clubs didn't like. I believe that was one of the drivers for the change.

Busted teams want the week off, healthy teams don't like it. You will never please everyone.

[caz]

i don't know what's best. one unintended consequence would be to make it easier to win outside the top 4. a week off after a long season allows every team to lick their wounds and come out firing