Are some NRL players revolting? You bet they are. I am sick to death of players talking about their entitlements. Let’s hear more about their responsibilities to the game, the fans and their team-mates.
While the player’s managers are busy manipulating their gullible commodities in one ear, let’s all yell in the other that there is more to life, and men, than money.
With the future of league in Australia under threat from rival codes and league and union doing well overseas, my concern is that “marquee” players and their managers may hold the game to ransom.
Mark Gasnier’s defection to French rugby might just be a glimpse into the future. He felt disgruntled, his options were plentiful, and he took advantage.
One gets the impression poor Mark felt the game had let him down, taken advantage of in some way.
Let me tell you, the game does not take advantage of its players. Players take advantage of the game to nurture their talent, develop a profile and display their skill whilst climbing the market ladder.
It seems in these competitive times, as soon as a player’s stock rises so too does the intensity of their managers in pursuing a better deal elsewhere.
These so-called better deals are done at the expense of the very game that developed them and the fans that supported them. And they know it.
Mark Gasnier’s weak attempt to justify his decision by telling us all how hard done by he felt that third party agreements had not been met was pathetic. He then acted the martyr and went to bat for his comrades by saying they should get a cut of the footy card empire, and so on.
Maybe he’s right, maybe they should but to parade a selfish decision as a decision for the greater good is less than pathetic.
I agree that contracts must be met and players should get a fair and equitable slice of the action, what bothers me is the haste in which players are prepared to jump ship at the first sign of rough weather.
He saw the gap (in his contract) and ran like the clappers, without, it seems, one ounce of thought for who and what he was leaving behind and the damage he would leave in his wake.
Footballers don’t decide to be career footballers until they are, until then they play for love and glory.
I have a new revenue stream for the NRL.
All future contracts should include a ‘Nurture’ clause that states:
“If the player mentioned in this contract has been coached and/or undertaken any other form of skills development training provided directly by the NRL, an Associated Training Academy, Junior Leagues Club or Authorised Third Party, the NRL will be entitled to 10 percent of all income that is generated outside NRL salary payments, including future contracts, wages and sponsorship deals.”
Players would be classified as a “Product of the NRL.”
This would secure a residual value for the NRL, a “return on investment” if you will.
This additional revenue could go back to the grass roots and help combat the rival codes some players seem so willing to assist. Although presumptuous, this would help relieve the players guilt, and negate any need for exposing themselves or the game to unnecessary public humiliation.
I have a feeling the war of the codes is about to hot up, as in business, the rich will get richer and the weak will wither away.
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All the team list information for Round 9.
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