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NRL CEOs divided on wildcard weekend

3 minute read

NRL club bosses are split on a proposal to introduce a wildcard weekend to the finals, with a decision unlikely until July.

A proposal to change the NRL finals format and introduce a wildcard weekend is receiving a mixed response from club bosses.

The idea of extending the finals series by a week in what would essentially be a 10-team format was discussed during a meeting of NRL club chief executives in Brisbane on Friday.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the proposal will be revisited later in the year with some clubs unconvinced.

"There's some people who think it's a great innovation and we should be prepared to do it differently, and there's some other people who say that we don't want that many teams being eligible for finals footy," Greenberg said.

"To be fair, I can see both forms of that argument."

The plan, under which teams one through six will be given the first weekend off while those ranked 7-10 play off for the final two spots, would be the biggest shake of the finals system since the scrapping of the McIntyre system in 2011.

Greenberg said the NRL would now seek written submissions from clubs on the concept before a final decision is made by the ARL commission in July.

"Like a lot of things in rugby league everyone has a view, we'll listen to all of them and then ultimately we'll bring down a decision," he said.

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