National Rugby League CEO David Gallop at a press conference at NRL headquarters. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
After yet another player controversy, this time involving the Penrith club, it’s time for the leader of the NRL to be held accountable. No sport has had to endure the negative off-field headlines that the NRL has under the reign of David Gallop since 2002.
Despite this string of incidents, never at any stage has Gallop been made accountable or held to his responsibility for the image of the code. However, he has regularly been credited with the game’s successes, including record crowd figures five years ago.
As Chief Executive of the NRL, Gallop is the figure responsible for the actions of the sixteen NRL clubs and the players in those clubs, and for the performance of match officials, crowd figures, sponsorship, popularity, and the like.
But his responses to player misbehaviour have been inconsistent, reactive, and at times hysterical.
He has given no impression of leadership on the issue, and clubs haven’t felt empowered to tackle problems themselves.
When the NRL de-registered Greg Bird and Todd Carney from playing the 2009 season, it was one of the NRL’s harsher penalties, but the ineffectiveness of the response is now seen with each weekend bringing a new drama.
One of the reasons drinking and anti-social behaviour amongst rugby league players generates so many headlines is because a reactive Gallop has regularly allowed molehills to be turned into mountains.
Leading player representatives have previous highlighted this apparent willingness to make a public show on player behaviour issues, rather than being tough but fair.
In the case of Dane Tilse, who was banned from the game in 2005 after a university dormitory rampage, Rugby League Professionals’ Association president Butterfield questioned whether Tilse had received “procedural fairness” because of the “enormous pressure [on the Knights] from the NRL.”
Similarly, when Sonny Bill Williams was arrested for relieving himself behind a tree in 2007, Gallop gave the sort of running commentary expected from a talkback host, rather than the constructive comments of a leader.
“He is inches from enough is enough … he needs to be placed on a formal program to deal with his problems,” he said.
If Gallop left the problem to the clubs, then the hysteria and fanfare wouldn’t be so significant or dramatic, and the clubs could deal with the problems effectively.
People will blame the newspapers but when they turn to Gallop for a comment, he delivers with interest.
The punishment of Manly’s Brett Stewart was another example of Gallop’s hysteria.
Stewart, at the most, should have been stood down for one game, only to clear the air. Four weeks – which Gallop admitted was punishment for Stewart’s drunkenness – was far too much.
Stewart has pleaded not guilty in court.
The Australian way has always been innocent before guilty. But in the NRL, it seems it’s guilty before being innocent.
Gallop’s inconsistency is not just in matters of player behaviour.
The handling of the Bulldogs two points issue – in which they were stripped for having fourteen players on the field – took over four weeks to ‘resolve’. But a precedent was set by Gallop in 2004, 2007 and 2008 that fines, not loss of points, are the punishment for an extra player on the field.
Phil Gould in the Sun Herald more than a week ago stated that the Bulldogs should be fined and that in no way was the incident a form of cheating.
Rugby league is the best sport in the world, but it’s also the worst administered.
The game needs a vibrant, strong and positive leader with vision, but also someone with an understanding of the game’s traditions in New South Wales and Queensland who can take the game into a new era and stand up to the vested media interests clouding the game.
But Gallop hasn’t been able to stand up to these interests, seen in poorly handled contract negotiations at all levels, the under-selling of the game’s TV and new media rights, and not allowing the game to have full reach through radio and free to air television in Australia.
For off-field incidents that bring the game into disrepute, an independent judiciary should be set up to decide suspensions, much like the way the judiciary decides penalties for high tackles.
The onus to make decisions should be taken away from the clubs, unless they break the internal code of conduct, like the case of former Bulldog lock Reni Maitua. The leader of the game certainly shouldn’t be making comments. He should be leaving things to the clubs and the independent judiciary panel.
Players today live in fantasyland from a young age. Player welfare is extremely important. But of greater importance is the leadership within our game.
The Penrith incident is the latest example of how the leadership is failing young players, and should be the final straw.
Changes must now take place.
Matthew O’Neill is an expert columnist with www.rleague.com.
Crosscoder
Guest
JohnQ. Please read what I stated. It is not a case of me believing anything.News told me nothing. I am reporting on an article written by Roy Masters in the SMH repeat the SMH not the Terrorgraph.,who is not exactly a News fan. He stated News would be prepared to get out,once an independent commission was set up,and they had a private consortium interested in buying the Storm.The private consortium as stated by Masters,would not be interested in buying into a comp,50% owned by a public company. The ARL according to Michael Searle (who desn't work for News but is CEO of the Titans0,stated the ARL were the ones delaying.Carr of the ARL maintains he has seen nothing concrete. My own view is an independent commission with business peple and football people on baord ,with no ties materially to any club.I want News out of the equation.if that is sheep mentality simply reporting a Master's story .Baaaaaa!
JohnQ
Guest
Crosscoder, you believe that News Ltd want to stop controlling Rugby League because they tell you they do. Easily herded sheep.
Rusty
Guest
Everytime Gallop speaks you can see John Hartigan's lips moving. Replacing Gallop won't do a thing, a new frontman will be selected and the ventriloquism will continue. Something I would like to see changed is the apparent masterstroke of having two incompetent blokes with whistles running the game. Supporters are saying that's it's speeding up the ruck (I just saw Hartigan's lips move) but I think it's done nothing but make the game as over-officiated as rugby. Now 80 minutes of league is dominated by refs saying things like - "Dominant...hold, hold, hold, movement now. You're offside, stay out of it. I just want to check the grounding, the offside, the possible obstruction." One more thing, can we launch a campaign to stop commentators, ex-players and the like using the patronising term "Our game" because it's not.
Crosscoder
Guest
In fact the media,particularly News Ltd and ch 9 has blown some of the events involving league players out of proportion eg the Seymour incident.Public drunkeness nothing more. What is the CEO of the NRL supposed to do ,ignore it when sponsors are ringing him,and the media vultures are hovering to get his and the NRL's reaction. Players are responsible for their own actions (a no brainer),they are employed by the clubs not the NRL. Gallop is viewed by some people as being weak, because he does not have this imposing statue and umms and aaghs.Gee I could direct them to some poltiticians and captains in industry who lack physical presence and do likewise.A Richard Branson he is not. I agree that having News own 50% of the game and 2 clubs is not a good look,especially when contracts for TV and radio are up for negotiation.The flashing lights"conflict of interest" shine like a beacon. The next TV contract must, repeat must, reflect true value and the game should not be undersold. Anycase from a report by Roy Masters stated,News wants to get out of the game as part owner,wants an independent commisssion running it.According to Masters,the CEO of the Titans Michael Searle said that this is the case,and it is in fact the ARL that is holding things back to make this happen. Part of News Lltd (NRL) pofits ATM are being directed toward funding the Storm and assist funding junior rl development in Victoria.News is prepared to sell the Storm to a private consortium(involving private individuals from Vic/NSW) ,if there is an independent commission. Will be glad to see an independent commission ,with News Ltd out of the game(just owning the Broncos).IMO given the circumstances and the fact that Gallop is answerable to a board,he does a fair job,which at times is thankless. Super league was the biggest gimmee for other codes in NSW and Qld.They didn't need it to expand the game overseas,it is happening now anyway, in some of the most unlikely places ,without the SL hype or bs.
JohnQ
Guest
The Man - Why would there be a public reaction to SuperLeague? Before Superleague the game owned the game, now a corporate media company does. Before all profits were channelled back into the game, now half go to News Ltd and their investments. Before there was an even playing field, now News Ltd own the game and 100% own two clubs, who happen to be by far the two most successful clubs in the game since this arrangement occurred. Coincidence? Before the League could negotiate for the best deal with TV rights deals, now the NRL (News Ltd) negotiate with FoxSports (News Ltd), and other media companies (Nine) who have convenient "arrangements" with News Ltd. Before the game was profitable as were the clubs, now clubs (News Ltd clubs aside) increasingly survive year-to-year whilst racking up millions in losses. And much of the public was sucked into the SuperLeague story, spun by Ribot and News Ltd, that News Ltd's Superleague would ensure millions of Asians would be glued to their TV screens eagerly awaiting the next round of NRL games, making Rugby League a true world game. Now why would the media think the public were easily herded sheep if the public could be made to believe that little story?
Billo
Guest
Matthew, this is an excellent article. Gallop invites negative headlines by the way he reacts to even minor stories about player misdemeanors, always blowing them up out of all proportion and creating a terrible image for league. The ARU showed how it should be done by the way they reacted recently to Wyclif Palu's problems (driving while suspended). With so many young men between the ages of 18 and 30 playing league there are bound to be problems with alcohol and testosterone fuelled behavior from time to time, but Gallop seems to think they should all behave like a combination of children and Saints. I mean, put your hand up if you've never urinated down a side street! Then there is the NRL's strange approach to consolidation and expansion of the game, which in fact doesn't seem to be any approach at all, as well as its inability to take advantage of its viewing figures to extract good TV deals. Gallop has a lamentable record.
The man
Guest
John Q - surely given the public reaction and resistance to News corps "vision" in attempting to take over the game duiring the superleague "war" they could hardly view the rugby league public as easily herded sheep!
Col the Bear
Guest
Mate I could have run it after Whittaker and Moffett, there'a couple of guys..Hey thats an idea, I could of had every club in the Red and Black and called the Bears, sure to take out that long awaited premiership then... Hmm the Hong Kong Sun Bears.. :-)
JohnQ
Guest
Consider who is Gallop serving - rugby league or the media? Let's see ... Gallop played a central role in tearing the game apart during the News Ltd takeover, when he worked for News Ltd. Then News Ltd ensured their man was put in charge of the NRL. Now that the NRL is a subsidiary of News Ltd (50% owned), and advertising attached to news is where they make their money, consider whether News Ltd want their man in charge of the NRL to support their damaging stories or not. And who controls public opinion about his performance in the role? The media of course. News Ltd sees Rugby League fans as puppets and easily-herded sheep to farm for their corporate profit.
Macarthur Saints
Guest
The media should be the ones to face the gunfire. Not Mr Gallop. David has addressed these issues in the way his solicitors have said he is allowed to. The media are becoming more and more invasive by the way the portray a story. This country is allowed to have freedom of speech but the media are pushing the boundaries of false story telling sometimes. People, stop buying the papers and they'll soon learn to change there approach to story telling. BTW: Most of us also are to blame, we appear to love the gossip articles..
Midfielder
Guest
Col Hong Kong are relocating to the CC ... to be called CC Hong Kong ... just a rumor heard...
oikee
Guest
You think league has problems, here have some of this reported today in NZ. Mr Sorensen said the NZRU was "incredibly frustrated and extremely disappointed" at ongoing incidents of misconduct involving its professional players. "We have had far too many incidents recently and, frankly, enough is enough
The man
Guest
PS as for the Bulldogs - they got what they deserved for cheating - again!
The man
Guest
Talk about drawing a long bow blaming Gallop for player behaviour and your list of problems with rugby league (you share having this type of list tucked away in your quiver with many sports jurnos) The NRL's stand on the Stewart incident should have been commended. Whilst caring some SL bagage, I would argue he has guided the slow moving supertanker of rugby league reasonably well through the minefield of issues - from the off field stuff, to union poaching etc. I think being the boss of the code is a no win position - akin to a ref - damned if you are seen to have done poorly and nothing said when things go well (like the success of Titans for instance). Given the strategic challenges facing Gallop with the rules attempt to enter RL heartland in Western Sydney, further poaching by union and need for further expansion - it is handling of these issues on which he should be judged and not if a couple of players enjoy a night off a bit too well.
Chris Beck
Guest
"No sport has had to endure the negative off-field headlines that the NRL has . . . ." I don't know about that. I would argue that the relatively recent doping problems in Major League Baseball and the continual doping problems in the world of cycling both far eclipse the NRL's problems, the foremost of which appears to be that some players like their alcohol a bit too much.
ianC
Guest
Great article mate. Gallop is an incompetent puppet of News Limited who has undersold the game for years. No other organisation has such an inept leader. A renowned knee-jerker who has the charisma of an actuary and the personality of a Trappist monk.
oikee
Guest
Some good games this week-end, not much happening off the feild, its getting like netball news.
John
Guest
How thick are people here? Don't you get it? Players aren't misbehaving more than before. Any misbehaviour is being blown up by the media more - and Gallop is providing fuel to the fire with every comment he makes. He has legitimized trial by media.
True Tah
Guest
Matthew I think its a bit far to blame Gallop for players misbehaving. It was hardly as if Gallop was pouring grog down the player in questions throat and egging them on was he?
JohnQ
Guest
Gallop is indeed a media stooge, having come through News Ltd ranks. And the media love his modus operandi of knee-jerk reactions, moral lectures, and of inflaming situations to give negative press the maximum exposure.