Hugh McGahan: Narrow gap between glory and gloom

Why is the NRL so close this year? Is the salary cap finally working? Are the game breakers in every team having more influence?

There is no doubt that the competition has kept fans of the 12 teams still in contention for a top eight place interested with five rounds to play.

Prior seasons have generally seen only about 10 teams in with a chance - and then it was usually more a matter of finishing order and which team to avoid playing in the first round of the semifinals.

What makes this year interesting is that, prior to last night's game against the Eels, the Warriors were better placed at 11th than teams above up to seventh. Points differential could be a major factor in the final placings. The Sea Eagles, Sharks, Bulldogs and Raiders will be looking over their shoulders at the Warriors with a positive differential and the bye to come in the last round.

If the Warriors can get to 28 points, unlikely after last night's loss to the Eels, they could make the playoffs because of their favourable points differential. Other games need to fall in their favour - but, of their three remaining games, only the Storm hold the greatest challenge.

The Knights, despite their late end-of-season flurry, should not upset the home side with too much emotion around Stacey Jones' last game for the club.

Manly shouldn't hold too many problems for them and, as I mentioned earlier this year, they have done better than even they would have expected to and should fall off the radar.


The top eight was a format brought in when the competition numbered 20 teams.

Remember when Norths, Illawarra, Gold Coast, Balmain and Wests were separate entities?

The McIntyre System was introduced to accommodate 20 teams but I can no longer see the need for it.

If we look at the teams that could make the eight, there is a fierce fight for the last few spots. But these teams have lost more games than they have won and also have a negative points differential.

How can a team that may scrape into the top eight, then have a lucky streak and win four games in a row win the grand final? There is no reward for the teams that have been consistent performers throughout the season.

It's not right.

I would like to see the format changed to one of two options: Revert back to a top five which will reward consistency, or reward the most consistent team of the year and have the first-past-the-post winner, as in English football.

Unfortunately, money talks, with the revenue generated from the playoffs a goldmine for the NRL. It will not readily turn its back on that.

I admit to being engrossed in the finals but I know what it takes for teams to perform at this level and what the mind, as well as the body, has to go through. It's an excruciating process to prepare week in, week out when winning is not guaranteed. I can't see that sort of preparation from teams sitting between seventh and 12th on the table so don't believe they deserve the mantle of 2005 NRL Premiers.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY