Two leading NRL executives have thrown their support behind a \u2018Wildcard Weekend\u2019 being added to the finals series once the competition expands to 18 teams. <\/p>\n
In the wake of Penrith\u2019s decision to rest 16 players for last Thursday\u2019s clash against the Bulldogs, veteran journalist Phil Rothfield floated the idea of an additional week of finals to Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy and Souths CEO Blake Solly.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n The proposed idea would see the top six teams on the ladder enjoy a week off following the conclusion of the regular season. In that week, the 7th team will host the 10th team and the 8th would host the 9th in a pair of elimination finals. <\/p>\n In Rothfield\u2019s view, the added incentive of a potential week off would deter teams from mass resting their players.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the top six teams getting the first weekend of the finals off, it would stop this sort of thing from happening,\u201d Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast. <\/p>\n \u201cI really hope they do introduce it in the very near future. I don\u2019t know, we\u2019ll wait until Perth Bears come into the comp and it\u2019ll take away the incentive for coaches to rest players and rob us of a blockbuster like Thursday night.<\/p>\n \u201cCanterbury were gifted two competition points \u2026 I just don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ciraldo gives worrying Kiraz update | 05:44<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018DO I LOOK LIKE IT?\u2019: Hasler\u2019s testy reply on future as Titans bid to avoid spoon<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018HAVEN\u2019T GOT A NUMBER\u2019: Raiders set for resting ploy \u2026 it could gift a rival <\/a><\/p>\n \u2018DON\u2019T WANT TO\u2019: O\u2019Brien grilled on future as Knights star opens up on response<\/a><\/p>\n