NRL exploring NFL-style rule to replace golden point

A potential NFL-style "right of reply" in golden-point extra time will be tabled among a multitude of ideas at next Thursday's NRL Competition Committee meeting.

The likes of NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, incoming ARL Commission chairman Peter V'Landys and his predecessor Peter Beattie, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and club counterparts Ivan Cleary and Paul Green form part of the 12-man committee that will assemble next week, where any and all ideas will be explored in the name of improving the game.

NRL.com understands extra time will be a key focus of the meeting, with several options to be discussed around golden point.

One notion up for debate is the possible adoption of the NFL's "sudden death" play, where each team has the chance to possess the ball and score.

If a team scores first with a field goal the opposition is given a chance to answer in kind, unless a touchdown is scored which automatically decides the game.

In rugby league terms this would translate to an opposing team having a set of six to answer a field goal or penalty goal scored in extra time.

Other options around the golden point rule include replacing it with 10 minutes of extra time or introducing a golden try.

Along with how drawn matches are decided after full-time, ideas such as the five-minute sin bin and on-field captain's challenge will also be discussed.

NRL.com has been told there is no defined expectation for any ideas to be taken to the ARL Commission for consideration, with this year's Competition Committee meeting more of an open forum style agenda than previous occasions.

The game's players will be represented at the meeting by RLPA representative Clint Newton, with the union preparing a submission on the 2019 season.

The NRL has also collated feedback from clubs and the refereeing ranks, along with the results of NRL.com's recent fan survey, which attracted more than 20,000 respondents.

Elsewhere the introduction of Hawkeye technology and simulated offside lines to rule on tries from kicks has been put on the backburner for next season.

Trials of new advancements in the technology have been conducted since midway through the year, and will continue with an eye to potentially being introduced in 2021.