Wednesday Best of The Run Home · The Run Home with Joel & Fletch · Radar

NRL Wildcard Weekend1:02 – 5:19

1:02

It's an NRL news update.

1:05

Ah, kick your shoes off, folks.

1:07

Sit yourself on the lounge.

1:08

Get yourself comfortable because this is good news.

1:10

Not for everyone because I'll tell you what this is going to cue.

1:14

Oh, you're rewarding mediocrity.

1:16

The NRL is discussing the introduction of a wildcard weekend with clubs and broadcasters and could fast-track the concept for the 2027 season.

1:24

NRL Commission Chairman Peter V'Landys has reported sought feedback from clubs ahead of the release of next year's draw.

1:32

The idea gained momentum after the AFL introduced its own wildcard weekend in 2026 with strong interest and positive feedback.

1:40

The timing coincides with the NRL's expansion to 18 teams in 2027 with the arrival of the Perth Bears before PNG joined in 2028.

1:47

So under the proposal, additional teams would qualify for the final series giving clubs finishing just outside the eight a chance to play their way into September.

1:58

Reward mediocrity.

1:59

I don't think it does actually.

2:00

It punishes mediocrity.

2:01

It makes it harder for teams seven and eight.

2:03

But anyway, that's another long-winded story.

2:06

This year's ninth and tenth teams were Manly and Melbourne who would have qualified under a wildcard system.

2:11

And keeping in mind, Manly trounced the Knights late in the year.

Scott SattlerPanelist

2:17

Yeah, about four weeks to go.

2:18

Who went on to a grand final.

2:20

Manly, they were officially gone in the last round heading into the finals because it came down to a field goal that the Cowboys kicked on them.

2:29

So that was the four-point swing.

2:31

So come the final round, Manly were done.

2:34

Whereas the Cowboys had assured themselves a top eight.

2:36

So all down to that field goal.

NRL Wildcard Weekend1:02 – 5:19

1:02

It's an NRL news update.

1:05

Ah, kick your shoes off, folks.

1:07

Sit yourself on the lounge.

1:08

Get yourself comfortable because this is good news.

1:10

Not for everyone because I'll tell you what this is going to cue.

1:14

Oh, you're rewarding mediocrity.

1:16

The NRL is discussing the introduction of a wildcard weekend with clubs and broadcasters and could fast-track the concept for the 2027 season.

1:24

NRL Commission Chairman Peter V'Landys has reported sought feedback from clubs ahead of the release of next year's draw.

1:32

The idea gained momentum after the AFL introduced its own wildcard weekend in 2026 with strong interest and positive feedback.

1:40

The timing coincides with the NRL's expansion to 18 teams in 2027 with the arrival of the Perth Bears before PNG joined in 2028.

1:47

So under the proposal, additional teams would qualify for the final series giving clubs finishing just outside the eight a chance to play their way into September.

1:58

Reward mediocrity.

1:59

I don't think it does actually.

2:00

It punishes mediocrity.

2:01

It makes it harder for teams seven and eight.

2:03

But anyway, that's another long-winded story.

2:06

This year's ninth and tenth teams were Manly and Melbourne who would have qualified under a wildcard system.

2:11

And keeping in mind, Manly trounced the Knights late in the year.

Scott SattlerPanelist

2:17

Yeah, about four weeks to go.

2:18

Who went on to a grand final.

2:20

Manly, they were officially gone in the last round heading into the finals because it came down to a field goal that the Cowboys kicked on them.

2:29

So that was the four-point swing.

2:31

So come the final round, Manly were done.

2:34

Whereas the Cowboys had assured themselves a top eight.

2:36

So all down to that field goal.