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The Roar

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It's time for a Panadol after the NRL media circus

23rd August, 2015
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David Smith is on his way out. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Expert
23rd August, 2015
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3107 Reads

I just read a website story about NRL CEO Dave Smith and was struck by the first two comments from readers posted underneath it.

The first said: “Dave Smith needs to go. No question.”

The second said: “I am a strong supporter of Dave Smith, we need a bean counter at the top after a Century of unqualified ex players took all the money from the sport.”

Two opinions on the same subject that obviously couldn’t be more different. Who is right and who is wrong?

I don’t know. It’s a matter of opinion. The two opinions above could even both be wrong, with the answer lying somewhere in between.

For all those people who believe Smith is doing a bad job, there are those who reckon he is doing a good one. For all those who are adamant he has botched the television rights deal, there are the others who reckon he has made a smart initial move and has plenty of time in which to get the rest of it right.

One thing is for sure, though, the negativity surrounding the game at the moment is hurting it.

Rugby league has always been thick-skinned, but it can still be wounded and right now it’s hard to sit down and watch a game without being distracted by all of the damaging talk about the NRL administration, the television deal, crowds, shoulder charges, or whatever.

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You deadset need to be wearing earmuffs and blinkers. That’s how I’m finding it, anyway. News Limited newspapers have taken the big stick to Smith. Some people agree with the chastisement and some don’t.

The thing about readers’ comment sections and social media is that people get the chance to say what they think on these sort of issues and be heard. How all of the debate is going to end isn’t clear, but surely something has got to give.

It would be good to be a fly on the wall during the meeting via a telephone hook-up between the chairmen of the 16 clubs and Smith that is scheduled for today. But we’re going to have to see what comes out of it, whether that be via official statements from the NRL and/or the clubs, or via leaks – or a combination of both.

There are only two rounds – plus tonight’s game – left before the finals series. Ideally, the accent should be on the battle for top four and top eight spots and to avoid the wooden spoon.

Will the Cowboys finally win a comp? Ditto the Sharks? Will Souths become the first team since Brisbane in 1992-93 to win back-to-back premierships in an all-in competition? Is Wayne Bennett going to take the Broncos straight back to number one?

The injury dramas surrounding star players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce at Sydney Roosters, James Tamou and Michael Morgan at North Queensland and Greg Inglis at South Sydney.

But while these developments, which could potentially have a huge impact on who wins the premiership, are getting attention, it is like a sideshow to the main act.

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There is always drama in rugby league, but usually at this time of year the football overrides everything because we’ve reached the business end of the season.

It doesn’t feel like it’s going to be the same, smooth transition this time around.

Right now, I’m more interested in how Jarryd Hayne fares in his second pre-season match for the San Francisco 49ers against the Dallas Cowboys today than who is going to win the NRL premiership.

That’s because Hayne’s bid is a fascinating sports story you can follow without being distracted by negatives related to other issues.

In other words, it doesn’t give you a headache.

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