Shute Shield Points System

[quasi-coach]

The Interesting thing about the points system, is that it is aimed at redistributing the talent to clubs that aren't performing well. In the two years that it has been in play, the top 6 teams have barely changed, with Randwick, Manly, Easts, Uni and Eastwood staying at the top. Players go to these clubs because they are run well, have good coaching and have a history of success. They are talking about trying to lower the points system further, to try to 'level the playing field', but the players are not about to move to poorly run clubs and potetnially risk their development and playing futures. We should be encouraging clubs to improve their programs and coaching, not forcing players to be spread out acrross clubs through administrative decisons. The club comp needs everyone striving to be better, not coming back to the middle ground all the time.
When Randick won seven in a row and 26 premierships accross 3 decades no one changed the rules then, nor should they now.

 

[wamberal]

and do people think it is a good thing that there are huge number of players (about 50 First Grade players in 2010) transferring between clubs?

I do not understand the logic of allowing players to transfer between clubs within the same season. Mark Frost of Eastwood, for example, played a bit of First Grade for Parramatta earlier this season, and now he is back at Eastwood. Not sure, but I suspect that he also trialled - maybe even played - with Eastwood at the beginning of the season.


A bit of history. Not all that long ago (within my lifetime:), each club had a territory (except Uni, presumably) and all their players had to reside within that territory. Of course, this rule was widely rorted. But it is an interesting sidebar to the current debates.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Communism and Socialism are very laudable ideals. Unfortunately as George Orwell observed while all animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others.

The objective of the points system is designed to make all animals equal but.......

What aspiring Wallaby/Waratah/Sydney rep player is going to willingly register with a team/club that will not advance their prospects to achieve that players aspirations for higher level success?

Rugby is a career option for many people. These individuals do not give a tinkers cuss about "level playing fields" and "traditions of honour". They have mortgages to pay, reputations to develop and protect, and a very limited time to exercise their skills in the marketplace. Can you blame the players for trying to maximise their earnings?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Well said Quasi and HJ. Nearly every attempt to "level the playing field" in organised sports ultimately fails to live up to its promise. As has been said before, the most successful sporting organisations are the ones with the best talent identification, player development, coaching and management. They all feed off each other and contribute to wins on the paddock. As much as any kind of equalisation technique tries to spread the wins out, the best run clubs will almost always still win premierships. Good clubs often stay that way for a long time.

It's also easy to forget that Uni didn't win a premiership for nearly 30 years before their current run.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

What happens to a team if they breach the points system?

Competition points, fine, or a thrashing with a lettuce leaf, or any or all three of these?

 

[Lindommer]

What happens to a team if they breach the points system? Competition points, fine, or a thrashing with a lettuce leaf, or any or all three of these?

The infinging team loses competition points. To date this year Easts 2nds have been fined 5 competition points for a points breach; they seem to be the only offenders.

 

[inthestands]

I think this afternoon's game was the perfect example of why promising players go straight to big name clubs and why big name clubs will do whatever they can to accomodate them under whatever restrictive system is placed on the comp.

This is one of the few times of the year when Test players might play club footy. Someone like Berrick is not only fighting to get back in the starting XV at Test level, but possibly even to stay in the 22. Performances like his today are assuring to him and selectors.

Similarly, simply playing at this time of year gets you noticed. McCalman and Dennis were the two 'bolters' in the pre-tour squad last year. Dennis toured, McCalman played Test footy this year. How did it start? Performing in September when Shute Shield was the only show in town.

 

[Gnostic]

Players will also gravitate to the club that plays the style they feel most at home with. eg. Barnes to Uni, Beale & Mitchell to the Wicks

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Players will also gravitate to the club that plays the style they feel most at home with. eg. Barnes to Uni, Beale & Mitchell to the Wicks

Isn't Mitchell registered with Balmain Subbies along with Giteau?

Is this an attempt to rort the points system?

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Isn't Mitchell registered with Balmain Subbies along with Giteau?

Is this an attempt to rort the points system?

No, this does not change his points when he plays. A third party sponsor who is linked to Balmain played a critical role in bringing him to the Tahs.