Peter V'landys proposes NRL third-place play-off

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is proposing the addition of a third-place play-off fixture to the NRL season to fill the "grand final week vacuum." To encourage player and club participation, V’landys suggested that "massive amounts of prizemoney" would be offered, potentially increasing the current prize pools for premiers and runners-up.

The proposal faces opposition from the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA). RLPA chief Clint Newton indicated that the union would likely be unsupportive due to the existing heavy schedule and the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, which is set to begin just two weeks after the NRL grand final.

V’landys, who is also acting as the NRL chief executive, noted that the idea was inspired by similar fixtures in soccer tournaments. Despite concerns regarding player welfare and potential fan disinterest, he believes financial incentives could mitigate these issues.