Quote: ging "It's a load of rubbish is what it is. You'll need to be an athlete / sprinter to beat whomever it is or have half a pitch start at least. Novelty period wore off already after two matches..'"
I wouldn't go that far, but I do agree it is a bit too hard.
Not a problem with having tough fan challenges with an accumulating prize pot or whatever, and having an enemy to root against, but the "Wire Flyer" challenge is missing two key elements that make for a good fan challenge.
1. It needs to be more skill/luck than pure athletic prowess.
Pretty much anyone should be capable of winning it. With a goal kicking or pot-shot style challenge - man, woman, old, young, skinny or fat - has a chance of winning it. Maybe not an equal chance, and it may come down to more luck than skill, but a chance nevertheless.
The Wire Flyer relies solely on being faster than a young, super athletic person over 170/200 meters.
2. The prize needs to be proportional to the chance of winning.
The goal kicking comp from a few years ago was tough. The prize was 2 return flights to Aus and tickets to an NRL game of your choice for the first person to do it. Only one (maybe two) people made the kick all year, and it was only in the last couple of games of the season that the prize was won, if memory serves.
The prize for this weeks Wire Flyer was hospitality for the Castleford game and a signed shirt.