Does the NRL really have room to bring back a midweek cup? PVL thinks so

The NRL competition has changed radically under the reign of Peter V’landys – and the tinkering won’t stop any time soon.

We’ve had new teams introduced , many rule changes – some overdue, others that have drastically altered the game – talk of a grand final week festival of rugby league that would include a third-place play-off, a mooted Global Round and, of course, the Las Vegas season-opener.

V’landys’ latest idea is to revive the old Amco Cup, the midweek knock-out competition that entertained us on winter nights from 1974 to 1989.

The much-loved competition pitched Sydney clubs against sides from around the country, including Brisbane teams, then a Brisbane rep team (in the pre-Broncos era), Western Division (which won the first Cup in 1974), Monaro and Newcastle.

Matches were always played at Leichhardt Oval and the competition became iconic, featuring special balls with white hoops to make them more visible and players smearing boot polish under their eyes to stop the glare from the lights.

The initial reaction to V’landys’ scheme is likely to be one of disbelief, because the season is already too busy for the players. But there is method to his madness.

The interim NRL executive chairman appeared on Mark Bouris ′ Straight Talk podcast for a 67-minute chat earlier in the week, and spoke through many issues.

Two of them were expansion and the length of the season, which, at 27 rounds – with teams playing 24 games and having three byes – is too demanding on the players, especially when you throw in finals, State of Origin and Test matches.

V’landys explained that he thought the optimum number of teams was 22 eventually, which would allow for a home-and-away season of 21 matches, with teams playing each other once.

The problem with that is it leaves broadcasters short of content, as there would be three fewer matches per team. After spending more than $5 billion combined for the broadcasting rights , Nine Entertainment (the publisher of this masthead) and Foxtel will expect as many matches as they paid for.

“At the moment, with some teams playing each other twice and others only once, you can argue it’s unfair,” he said.

“Twenty-two teams and 21 rounds opens up more opportunity. You can have conferences, and each team plays each other once. We can have flexibility around State of Origin and Test matches.

“And the other thing is, we can bring the Amco Cup back. With less demand on the players, there is room for that. It was a great competition, I loved it back when it was played midweek. Everyone did.”

One of the big problems in the game is the seven-week Origin period, which leaves club teams weakened. If the NRL is paused during Origin, weekends are free.