The Serve

Sunday night league a winner

Have we possibly found yet another timeslot for a rugby league match? TV executives in this country seem to be trying to find new timeslots for sport in the same way heavies at pizza companies look for new areas of the pie to stuff cheese. You think the possibilities have been exhausted, but lo and behold, there’s always a hidden pocket.

Sunday night’s league clash between Newcastle and Brisbane was always going to be a little less ordinary. A forced move because of the ANZAC test, Nine got a free shot to experiment in televisions most explosive laboratory. Johns against Lockyer was a worthy enough hook, until a fortnight ago. When Johns retired, the Bunsen burner blew up in Nine’s face, until he agreed to a night of pageantry. He may have been busy eating in a corporate box when the game kicked off, but his job was done. A lap of honour and a stand named after him. The audience was in.

A terrific contest, with more than a hint of fatigue amongst the elite. The ratings will be quite intriguing. Particularly given the numbers for CSI, Nine’s regular Sunday show, have been soft. A game not decided until the end, but then again a contest not containing a team from Sydney. It is a big ask to expect the more casual fan to get excited about Friday nights, Saturday nights, Sunday afternoon and then back up for another dose in the evening, not to mention Monday Nights. We await the results.

The weekly format may have been agreed to by all and sundry when the latest television deal was signed, but let’s not underestimate the power of Nine. If tonight is a hit and they want Sunday night football, they shall have it. The free to air channel gets the first two bites of the cherry each week, so they could still have their live match on Friday and instead of the replay straight after, save a marquee match for Sunday night. Take for instance next Friday’s grand final rematch. It is a crime that the Storm and the Broncos gets second billing in New South Wales to the Bulldogs against the Tigers. It’s a crime it gets second billing to anything.

A perfect candidate for a Sunday Night special.

The match itself was a microcosm of where these teams are at. Newcastle are young and enthusiastic, which in the end became their hindrance. The Knights only trailed by four for the final nineteen minutes, but they played as if the margin was ten. Newcastle’s exuberance demanded they score on every set and there was no sense of composure. For Brisbane, it was exactly the opposite. The type of game Darren Lockyer has been in a hundred times. The Broncos were not sparkling, however they got down and dirty, with Lockyer’s driving boot a calming influence. They needed to win and they did so, and no more. Good enough.

As for Sunday Nights, it’s the time where TV’s greatest stars come out to shine. The same would have to go for the quality of football. There is also the reality of the non-league states. It would be a nightmare to co-ordinate a regular show, such as CSI, over different nights in different markets. Basically networks in this country don’t do it. When Nine reverted to Monday night games in 1996, The big wigs down south came up with In Melbourne Tonight, a sad reincarnation of televisions glory days, hosted by Frankie J. Holden. Not the sort of fare that would worry Seven on a Sunday.

Perhaps Sunday Nights should be just used for special occasions.