Should the NRL move to a 10-team finals system?

David Riccio has given insight into some of the challenges the NRL faces if it implements a 10-team finals system.

Currently, ARLC Chairman Peter V’Landys has confirmed that the competition will undertake a review of the finals system before the Perth Bears enter the competition next season.

One of the ideas gaining traction to replace the existing top eight model is to introduce a top 10.

This would see the NRL follow suit with the AFL, who this season have introduced a Wildcard Finals Round to give more fans hope towards the end of the season.

Considering that the NRL will be at 19 teams in 2028, Riccio notes the need to plan these systems ahead of time to reflect the size of the competition.

But having spoken to others, he acknowledges that there is a negative view of what's proposed.

“The immediate reaction I’ve had is everyone gets a ribbon mentality with a 10-team playoffs,” Riccio said on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“But ultimately, if you expand the comp, I think there is a reasonable argument to expand the finals series.”

With that expansion, it means the competition will be forced to have a five-week finals system, which extends the season further than its current 31-week model.

This could make the challenge to keep fans engaged throughout the season, especially those whose teams are no longer in contention.

“You can’t, it just doesn’t equate,” he added.

“So, it would be a five-week finals series, which again raises an argument within itself around the length of the season and keeping fans of teams that aren’t in finals watching the games for another week.”

The concept of a 10-team finals system is certainly not a foreign one to Rugby League fans.

Following the merger of the ARL and Super League for the 1998 season, the NRL had a top 10 for the 20 clubs competing in its inaugural season.

That famously allowed the 9th-placed Bulldogs to make the Grand Final before being outclassed by the Brisbane Broncos.

A decision will be announced once the NRL has completed its review.