Hugh McGahan: Golden point loses its lustre with losing team's fans

Despite the excitement of the Bulldogs and Warriors game last week, the NRL should do away with the golden point.

It came about at the instigation of a few coaches, who, after figuring in a number of draws a few years ago, thought they were the better team at fulltime and might have won the game had a few more minutes been available. There was also a thought that a State of Origin series needed to have an eventual winner. Pressure was brought to bear and the rule was introduced without too much objection.

I do not know if it has improved anything or added value to the NRL competition. The team that loses would prefer to have one point, rather than nil for losing, particularly because that one point actually makes the points race a little more interesting.

The golden point is really a marketing tool to engross the fans even more after 80 minutes, although supporters of the losing team may feel aggrieved. I agree that the anticipation of seeing the first points scorers winning a game will keep most spectators on the edge of their seats and it is they who will acknowledge the value of extra time.

But ask any player and they will tell you that they would prefer to take a point from a boring draw, rather than none from an enthralling encounter.

The media have also weighed in on the argument by praising the worth of the golden point and, unfortunately, its influential power has engrained the notion that this aspect is a point of difference and critical to its survival.

I would like the NRL to review the concept of the golden point and evaluate in written form for all to see what it is actually contributing to the game. Can we expect to see this model to continue in perpetuity? Or will we see a change, as we saw in a State of Origin game some years ago, when, after 80 minutes of play, scores were tied and the golden point kicked in. By the time the extra point was scored, 109 minutes had elapsed.

This was seen as overkill and too harsh on players who then had to back up within three to four days for their respective clubs. Player safety took precedence and the rule was changed to have only 10 minutes extra and, if no points were scored a draw was agreed to.

Well, I then ask, what is the point? Let us revert to the system of awarding a draw after normal time during round-robin games and then extra time during the final series and Grand Final.

Give away the notion that golden point is of any value whatsoever. Even though last week's fixture involving the Warriors was exciting, I would still prefer to see them with that extra point and a better chance of a possible top eight spot.