If the NRL are serious about the strength of the competition and are over the obsession with securing Sydney, everything should be done to send Daly Cherry-Evans to the Gold Coast Titans.
Is it true that the recent rumours have all come about because of Nate Myles negotiations? Sounds like something from the movie BASEketball.
The NRL should do everything it can to ensure both players are running around Skilled Park next year. The Titans aren’t that far off being a great side and Myles and Cherry-Evans together would have a positive influence for the Titans and rugby league on the Gold Coast.
When has a genuine star signed with a club outside of Sydney – namely Souths, Roosters, Manly and the Bulldogs – in the last 10 years? The media seem to care more about whether Leichhardt Oval will still get a couple of home games a year rather than whether the teams that pay far more for travel arrangements need anything.
Targeting new rugby league supporters seems like it is strictly limited to just talking about it. The Roosters and Souths have so much political and financial clout that some others in the area are fighting for scraps, and such is life. I’m not pushing for expansion, I’m pushing for the promotion of success in clubs outside Sydney that will draw in fresh fans and maximise growth whenever expansion does happen.
The war chest should be used to keep and attract players to clubs with the best prospect for growth in the game and to those without third party advantages. The Broncos, Souths and Roosters should never be allowed anywhere near it. If Roger Tuivasa-Sheck stays at the Roosters the third party situation will need to changed immediately.
Blake Ferguson should have had to return to the NRL with a club that could use a star. Canberra certainly could have done with his services but they did the right thing by the NRL. Now Roosters chairman Nick Politis is seen as a genius for getting him at a bargain.
If the NRL acknowledges that to successfully strengthen the code, it needs to create a situation that promotes maximum long-term growth for the whole code. This means increasing local league competitions in areas where the code isn’t ingrained. To do this Sydney’s talent hoarding needs to stop.
Figures such as Politis, Gus Gould and James Packer must have their influence nullified. A comp where the bottom four sides don’t look capable of matching the top four sides commonly indicates a difference in player quality.
Taking stars to the outposts is what’s best for everyone in the long term and Ferguson and David Carney leaving Canberra only for the Roosters to gain shows just how selfish some are when they supposedly love the sport.
The times they are a changin’. Do the old guard truly care more about where the code will be in 10, 20, or 50 years time, rather than about trying to completely dominate while the NRL splutters?
Rules must come in place to ensure all talent and resources go to teams where the extra attention and promotion provide the greatest long-term return to the code (New Zealand and Western Australia). And also clubs where some success would see them reach potential with the idea of increasing their loyal following and keep kids wanting to play (Gold Coast and Canberra).
We have just seen Queensland totally dominate the State of Origin with that generation growing up with the introduction and success of the Broncos in the NSWRL. Melbourne aside, Sydney clubs have won every premiership for a long time with many teams filled with players who aren’t from NSW.
The salary cap isn’t working so the NRL should be honest and ensure we see a chance of success away from Sydney and the Broncos. Sydney teams already have a huge advantage with travel and prominence in the media. Let’s see how good some clubs really are without them bullying the chips into falling their way. Will they whinge or relish the challenge?
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