Why the play-offs need to use extra time instead of golden point

In 2016, the NRL chose to replace golden point with extra time in the play-offs and Grand Final.

The decision came following discussions with all of the stakeholders after North Queensland won the 2015 Grand Final in golden point. They subsequently moved forward with the decision to play two halves of extra time five minutes each way in all play-off games. Then, if the scores are still level, golden point takes over once again.

I’ve spoken before about the advantages of extra time over golden point. In extra time, teams have the freedom to play more rugby rather than looking to nail the drop goal again and again. Meanwhile, it feels somewhat unfair to the side who concede the drop goal after all that can all come down to luck and little else.

Moreover, golden point can literally end within a minute before one side has even had an opportunity to have the ball and try and score themselves which is somewhat unfair. They’ve lost by the flip of a coin.

In extra time, if you concede a drop goal, you’d have a slim chance of turning the tables and nicking a try to claim the win or level the game with a one-pointer yourself just as we see in the regulation 80 minutes. To me that makes much more sense and is a lot fairer. On top of this, it means we get to see more intense and dramatic rugby league which can only be a good thing especially where the play-offs are concerned.

Thus, to me Super League needs to follow in the footsteps of the NRL by replacing golden point with extra time in the play-offs. I have no issue with the continued use of golden point in regular league fixtures – although I must say, what is the problem with a good old-fashioned draw – but in play-off games where seasons are defined or end, it seems unfair to persist with golden point. You could lose the final in golden point without touching the ball after the 80 minutes and without being handed a chance to turn the tables and battle back.

Imagine the pain of losing a Grand Final based on luck without the opportunity to come back and level the scores or steal the win? That’s exactly what we need to avoid in Super League if we want to ensure a better, fairer end to the season and crown the most deserving Champions possible.

We’ve seen it be a success before in this country. Just go back and rewatch the 2003 Challenge Cup semi-final between Leeds and St Helens. That shows how beneficial extra time is to the overall product as it resulted in one of the greatest semi-final tries the sport has seen. Without extra time, such a moment would never have happened and ultimately that’s what extra time does. It literally provides extra time for amazing moments, season-defining plays and drama whilst being a fairer alternative to golden point.