Should the trial games in the nrl be scrap to protects players from injuries befor the start of the season?

Question

i would love to see no trial games before the start of the nrl seasons so all the players are injury free.then we can see the real game and how far those players will last.

Answer 1

i think that they should play every game they can... as long as we can watch... there will be injuries if they play or not... it is just part of sport...

Answer 2

It wouldn't protect the players from injury if you scrapped the trials, I think it would add to their injuries. The reason why is that the players would be having their first serious hit out under full match conditions in the toughest comp in the world. There is too much of a jump from training to an NRL match. The purpose of a trial is to bridge this gap so the players get toughened up again for the rigours of full competition.

If anything the clubs need to be challenged to take these trials for what they are - a preparation for the NRL competition. I feel for the younger players who think they have to play the trials like their careers depend on it. This is when injuries happen, the smarter players hold back just a little and save themselves for when it counts.

Answer 3

Trial games are a necessary evil and are here to stay. Firstly, they allow the players and teams to play their first games under close to match conditions in 3 or 4 months and obtain " match fitness " ( for which there is no substitute aside from playing a match ). Secondly, it helps teams gauge the ability of the younger players to take the next step up into first grade, while also trialling older players to see if they will be a good fit for the club. Thirdly, from a marketing perspective it is a money earner for the clubs, and also allows spectators in areas without a team the chance to see the stars of the game playing.

Its unfortunate that some players get injured in trial games, but if you scrapped them, youre not going to get a reduction in injuries, youre just going to get injuries in games worth competition points. Every major team sport has trial games, and they serve a number of purposes, but the main purpose is to aclimatise players, and get the teams ready for the regular season and have them as close to " match fitness " as possible.

Answer 4

No. It provides a warm up for the play and shows who should and shouldn't be in the top side.

Answer 5

I disagree. The trials are like warm ups,. The players might injure themselves, but will heal before the season is over. Plus they're more prepared to lose (if thats possible) than risk injury. Its just the few guys who don't take it slow. Both sides have a pretty strong case. I'm easy either way.

Answer 6

Injuries can be a problem but they can occur at training also. Coaches need to be able to see how their new signings are fitting in with the style of play at the club and with the other players and build some team chemistry. They need to be able to experiment a little with positions to be able to decide the best positional line up for the comp matches and judge whether players have the ability to play or adapt to multiple positions and situations. Though they have been training you can't compensate for a sneak look at the opposition in a competitive 80 minute structure. They need to be mentally prepared and match fit and new youngsters on the rise need to have some experience in this setting before the competition commences. With anything there is a chance of injury but I think coaches would prefer pre season trial matches to not having them.

Answer 7

Yes and so should the AFL. These pointless games add disproportionately to players injuries. In the case of NRL brain injuries don't count.