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Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns believes it’s finally time for the NRL to introduce an AFL-style bye round before the finals series begins.
There have been calls for a week off before the finals to be introduced for several seasons, particularly given the increase in top clubs resting their front-line stars to field essentially a second string side in the final week of the competition.
The fallout means final-round upsets could throw the battle for the lower end of the competition out of kilter.
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Both the Broncos and Storm named a second-string 17 for Thursday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium, and the Knights have also rested several of their in-form stars for their clash against the Dragons.
The Panthers, meanwhile, who will play the Cowboys on Saturday afternoon have named more or less a full-strength side, having rested several players for their loss to the Eels last weekend.
With the opportunity to clinch a minor premiership brought about after the Broncos were beaten by the Storm on Thursday night, it’s now likely Penrith’s stars will play.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
Johns said for this reason – and the potential for concussion protocols to rule players out for finals clashes – a bye round makes sense.
The AFL introduced a bye round – which takes place this weekend – before their finals series for the 2016 season.
NRL Highlights: Broncos v Storm – Round 27
He said another incentive for sides to play full-strength squads in the final round of competition could be an increase in prize money for the minor premiership.
The prize pool for the minor premiership was doubled to $200,000 for 2023, but Johns said it should be much higher than that, with a chunk to go straight to players.
“I think if they bumped it up (to) $1 million for the club and $1 million for the players to split amongst themselves, the tight arses out there would go ‘right, I’m gonna get fifty grand, I’ve got a corked thigh, I’m playing, I don’t care’,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
Johns said he could also get around the idea of a wildcard round to settle the bottom two spots in the top eight.
It could see the top six sides given a rest, and the bottom seven eliminated, leaving seventh place to play tenth, and eighth to play ninth for the final two spots in the finals.
