Don't disagree, but its part of the problem. Defence has improved, but there's no creativity anymore, and the game is just a series of players running into each other. The trend of most SL clubs is a diminishing number of punters through the turnstyles, with the next Sky TV deal being widely reported as being less (and that was pre Covid9). For me, the product we have now is just boring, and we need to find a ways of livening it up. The shot clocks and other tweaks have not really made any difference, and the lying on with three defenders is killing the game.
If you're happy with the way things are, that's great, it's your choice and I don't have a problem with that.
Apologies for being pedantic but that’s what it was to begin with. Creativity has not died out the game, to insinuate that is ridiculous.
I’m not a fan of the shot clock, it adds little and is just a pointless exercise IMO.
I don’t deny things need to be changed to bring fans through the door but I don’t think it’s all to do with the actual product. More to do with the inept RFL mismanagement of the game for years, disillusioning fans and driving them away. The product has evolved whereas the RFL have gone backwards and devolved. That’s where the problem is IMO.
I respect your opinion on how the game was. I was born the back end of the 80’s and other than watching the odd 80’s game can’t offer an expert or experienced opinion whereas you (I’m assuming) can. Regardless of that, we’ll agree to disagree on this.
Correct, but trying telling it to those who have only started watching the game in more recent times.
You only have to watch some of the games on Wigan TV Match Archive to see how there was more creativity and skill by not just the odd two or three in a team, but most of a team which in many cases included top players at their peak from both the NRL like Brett Kenny, Mel Meninga, Gene Miles, Wally Lewis etc from the NRL and Billy Boston, Lewis Jones, Tom Van Vollenhoven, Jonathan Davies etc from Rugby Union.
Most of those players were playing at a time when the game was Semi Professional and in front of far bigger crowds and better atmospheres than what there is now.
As the song goes, things ain't what they used to be!
Through nostalgia, people cherry pick out the good moments in the past. There were some awful, boring games during those times too and some poor players. As someone has already mentioned, defences were also shocking.
Leeds fans probably look back on 06-09 as their most skilful, exciting times as that's when they were most success. For us they we had some of the worst teams and worst matches we watched (excl. 2006 and some Barrett moments).
You've picked out 8 players that span 30-40 years of RL. So it's only fair to look at the same timelines. Then you can include players like Vainikolo, Fielden, Farrell, Robinson, Sculthorpe, Lammy, Renouf, Peacock, Lyon, Burrow, McGuire, Tomkins, Barrett, Richards, Graham, Menzies, Roby, Lockers, Denny Solomona (for a season), Barba, Roby.
Most of these players were exciting, creative, skilful and most will go down as legends of RL and performed consistently in SL recently.
If you want players from the last couple of seasons then Tomkins, Maloney, Makinson, Johnstone, Lomax, Marshall, Williams, Hurrell, Folau, Thompson, Austin, Hastings, Kelly, Walmsley, McGillvary, Lockers, Kasiano. Most of these are world class players or exciting in SL or will go onto become a legend.
Don't disagree, but its part of the problem. Defence has improved, but there's no creativity anymore, and the game is just a series of players running into each other. The trend of most SL clubs is a diminishing number of punters through the turnstyles, with the next Sky TV deal being widely reported as being less (and that was pre Covid9). For me, the product we have now is just boring, and we need to find a ways of livening it up. The shot clocks and other tweaks have not really made any difference, and the lying on with three defenders is killing the game.
If you're happy with the way things are, that's great, it's your choice and I don't have a problem with that.
there is creativity but they dont get the time like they used to a slip through massive holes that poor defenses created
there is creativity but they dont get the time like they used to a slip through massive holes that poor defenses created
This. Just needed to watch the challenge cup today between saints and Bradford. Even I could have made breaks given the shocking defence set up by both teams
Apologies for being pedantic but that’s what it was to begin with. Creativity has not died out the game, to insinuate that is ridiculous.
I’m not a fan of the shot clock, it adds little and is just a pointless exercise IMO.
I don’t deny things need to be changed to bring fans through the door but I don’t think it’s all to do with the actual product. More to do with the inept RFL mismanagement of the game for years, disillusioning fans and driving them away. The product has evolved whereas the RFL have gone backwards and devolved. That’s where the problem is IMO.
I respect your opinion on how the game was. I was born the back end of the 80’s and other than watching the odd 80’s game can’t offer an expert or experienced opinion whereas you (I’m assuming) can. Regardless of that, we’ll agree to disagree on this.
I'm not insinuating anything, as I clearly gave my opinion that the standard of creativity in SL as a sport and individually, has plummeted over the past 20 years. Hardly a ridiculous opinion given the decline in punters through the terraces and the issues to come with the next Sky deal.
there is creativity but they dont get the time like they used to a slip through massive holes that poor defenses created
There isn't creativity, as it's all been coached out of the players by a procession of Australian coaches. Nobody's willing to try anything anymore, for fear of a rollicking in the dressing room as it's all field position and percentage plays these days. For me our game in now robotic and dull.
I'm not insinuating anything, as I clearly gave my opinion that the standard of creativity in SL as a sport and individually, has plummeted over the past 20 years. Hardly a ridiculous opinion given the decline in punters through the terraces and the issues to come with the next Sky deal.
The decline is through years of RFL mismanagement not the creativity. That’s as alive and well as it was in the era you’re harping on about.
If you watched the CC documentary on BBC yesterday you’d see the poor defensive structures teams had. It wasn’t hard to create something that looked for all the world unbelievable when you have bus sized holes and a dog leg defensive line.
There isn't creativity, as it's all been coached out of the players by a procession of Australian coaches. Nobody's willing to try anything anymore, for fear of a rollicking in the dressing room as it's all field position and percentage plays these days. For me our game in now robotic and dull.
I do think the quality has been watered down somewhat. The Wigan side of 2000 would have beaten the 2013 double winners IMO and the 2006 Saints side was far better than the current model.
With regards to punters, the constant changing of formats hasn't helped.