The rugby league season is well under way and we’ve seen plenty of drama, some in golden point, the merits of which fans have now debated.
Midway through Round Four, Super League has seen three matches go to golden point with the most recent of those being played for a full 90 minutes meaning rugby league fans got plenty of action.
That game between Hull FC and Leigh Leopards at the MKM Stadium on Thursday night ended in a 22-22 draw with the teams unable to be split after 80 minutes of normal time and ten minutes of golden point.
Leigh had won the first game of the season in golden point against Wigan and there was plenty of debate after that game that the losing side should pick up one point, with the winner claiming the two.
After Thursday’s extra ten minutes still couldn’t separate the sides and saw them both head home with one point a piece, Serious About Rugby League asked fans if all drawn games in Super League should just be settled as a draw with golden point scrapped.
It sparked a wide spread and healthy debate, which you can see here, but there was a general consensus and we picked out some of the best responses.
Rugby League fans debate golden point after controversial Hull FC Leigh draw
What. A. Game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/J3A4p3VXmx
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) March 6, 2025
Jason Mclean: “I hate golden point. Might be a rush for the winning team and fans but it goes against the integrity of sport. It’s fine if extra time is played in a final and scores are still tied but not a regular season game where competition points are hard earned. The only way I’d be happy it stayed was if both teams got a point…and the winning team in Golden point gets the extra point. No team drawing a game in regulation time should ever go away with nothing.”
Les Oldfield: “I’ve watched rugby league for over 70ys I’ve seen anything as farcical in my life, the golden point diminishes the effort the losing team have put in for the last 80 minutes.”
Katie Ute: “As much as it’s exciting I don’t think it’s fair on the players to have to play an already tough sport, any longer. Why can’t it be a draw, they’ve both worked hard enough to win. A draw is fair imo, which will already have had drama in trying to get the drop goal. Defo scrap it.”
Some argued that it should only be used in knockout games.
Brenda Dalton: “Definitely,both teams normally have worked hard and deserve a point. Agree for one off matches at end of season and challenge cup where you definitely need a winner.”
Ian Lionel Mark Rutter: “It should never have been introduced, if after 80 minutes scores are level, the points should be shared. It works in most sports. Golden point should only exist in cup games where there has to be a winner.”
A couple of fans pointed out the player welfare aspect of playing a further potential ten minutes.
Jamie Simpson: “Golden point should be saved for playoffs and finals. Gotta look after the players a bit it’s such a hard tough sport.”
Yvonne Baillie: “Absolutely. If they are looking out for players welfare they shouldn’t have to play extra time to make the game more interesting. Sometimes a draw is a fair result.”
One fan who opposed those and was for golden point argued that the tension and excitement it brings merits it, something that our sport does pride itself on.
Jim Campbell: “No. You might disagree with it, but it is hard to argue that GP doesn’t add excitement, tension and drama to the end of the game. As a neutral, do you really not prefer an extra 10 minutes nail-biting tension at the end of a close game than for everyone to just shake hands and walk off?”
