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Issues the NRL will be watching closely in 2014

Dave Smith promised proactive leadership. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Rookie
5th March, 2014
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Optimism in the NRL is at an all-time high. The announcement of a 2013 $50 million profit and the successful introduction of the Auckland Nines are two prime examples.

And while David Smith has been talking up the game a lot recently, let’s not forget crowds and ratings dipped last year.

Here are the biggest issues the ARL Commission will be looking at closely in 2014.

The salary cap: What is the problem?
It seems every couple of years a rival code snatches a few of rugby league’s biggest stars. In 2014 nothing has changed.

Sam Burgess and Sonny Bill Williams, although the latter was expected, will not be playing the game in 2015. Andrew Fifita may soon join them.

There are two issues.

One is the salary cap. A marquee player allowance is needed more than ever, and it seems the NRL commission is aware of this. Fans want to see star players stay in their codes and play for their teams. It’s a problem that seemingly only happens to rugby league players, which leads to issue two.

The NRL cannot compete with a truly international code such as rugby union. The incentive of a competitive World Cup or an Olympic medal must make an offer too good to refuse.

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With the loss of Burgess and Sonny Bill, their respective international teams in league have grown weaker, while only furthering their strength in union.

At least the AFL has seemingly ended its rugby league experiment.

The increasingly crowded off season schedule: How does it get fixed?
The Auckland Nines was a wildcard. Clubs opposed it, fans didn’t quite know what to expect, and some star players avoided it or were forced to skip it.

By all accounts it was a great success. Crowds flocked to it, players endorsed it, and fans got to enjoy a taste of NRL a month earlier than usual.

Cowboys fans even got their first trophy.

We now have international Tests (World Cup/Four Nations), the Auckland Nines, the All Stars tournament and the World Club Challenge.

While fans of the game will not complain, the problem is players and coaches seems to agree the season is already too long, with too much strain on player fitness.

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Does the NRL season need to be shortened? There is a lull in attendances and quality mid-season in the NRL. State of Origin is the major cause.

A stand-alone weekend? Something has to give.

The ASADA investigation: When will it end?
It must surely be over soon right? As Dave Chappelle said, wrap it up.

This year we must find out what will happen to those players and clubs involved. It cannot drag out any longer.

While correct on its ethical basing, I do not believe any of these players, AFL or NRL, would have taken these substances had they truly believed they were breaking laws.

What this investigation has proven is the increasing role of sports science in training and development is an area that needs to be heavily monitored by clubs and administrators to ensure this type of thing does not happen again.

Expansion: Where, when, why?
It has to happen eventually, the question is where and when?

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Papua New Guinea have started playing in the Queensland Cup, Queensland consortiums are circling, the Central Coast keeps begging to be reinstated, New Zealand could be on the horizon, while Adelaide and Perth are the remaining cogs for the game to become truly national.

Wherever is eventually chosen, it needs to be sustainable long term.

Players misbehaving and reneging on contracts: An inevitable cycle?
Of course we all know by now there will be a handful of rugby league players facing our judicial system over the next year. This will never be avoided.

Young people and copious amounts of alcohol will always cause problems and, role models or not, this is a wider cultural problem.

Also at least one player will not be at the club they said or thought they would be in 2015. Whether it be Anthony Milford staying in Canberra or Josh Hoffman leaving for the Bulldogs, someone will surprise us.

Generation Y love to change jobs and NRL players are no different. A transfer window perhaps?

Ratings/average attendances/memberships: Will they grow?
Who knows? Nothing really suggests a boom period for the NRL.

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While the financial stability of the code and its clubs is welcoming, it will be years for any real positive effects or growth to be known.

What we do know is that rugby league in Australia is in the best shape it has ever been in and I cannot wait for the first kick-off of 2014.

Let the game begin.

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