Pre-Season Comp in 2023?

[Tennessee Tornado]

Another brilliantly thought out initiative to be proposed by the NRL

A pre-season comp just after a World Cup. Let the tigers and dolphins play it out for the prize money.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl...02-p5buuc.html

[King Salvo]

I don't mind them bringing back the pre-season comp - The Roosters won a few of these in the day

4 Quarter Footy (20 minute halves) and unlimited interchanges or 8 interchanges say

Trouble though is how will this work with 18 teams if they invite St Helens to participate ?

A pre-season comp worked in the day with 12 teams and would work with 16 teams ( 4 divisions of 4 teams ) and or 20 teams ( 4 divisions of 5 teams) - play each team in your division once - winner of each division play in the semi finals and the 2 semi final winners then play the final - 5 week pre-season if 16 and 6 week if 20.

If they go down this path then they will need to reduce the number of games in the Telstra Premiership - Currently 24 games- if they want the pre-season comp to be meaningful and for clubs to field their best squads.

I can see the day if they keep adding sides that the Teams will play each other only once during the Telstra Premiership

I.e if 20 teams - 4 divisions of 5 teams - 19 Telstra Premiership rounds (play each other once) - 5 week 10 team final series - top 2 from each division and a wild card play off between the 3rd placed teams in each division for the final 2 finals positions

Pre-season- same 4 divisions of 5 teams - 4 games plus a 2 week finals series

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

dumb idea, teams will be made up of reserve graders and under 20s

[Rooster R]

I am for a pre season comp but not when there is also a World Cup as well, that is asking to much of our players.

[Mickie Lane]

I like the sound of St Helens playing.
Good judges claim that St Helens would be a top 4 side if they played in the NRL.
I dont think playing Rd 1 in America is a good idea for the Roosters but if the Roosters hierarchy think its a good idea then happy days & hopefully we win.

[Easts75]

Would have zero interest in a pre season comp....even less than the 9's if that is possible

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Great idea to run some young blokes.... of course the world cup players won't play if there is any fatigue.

[Tennessee Tornado]

Trying to introduce this after a World Cup where most of the stars will have only returned to training 3-4 prior is ludicrous.

At least wait until 2024 to introduce it and it might get some traction.