I disagree with the argument that David Gallop should go. Gallop has always been an easy target for those looking to bag league. His previous employment with News Ltd is tantamount to a hanging offence for some.
But his biggest regret is probably relying too much on the clubs to sort themselves out.
In the fallout of the Bulldogs Coffs Harbour scandal, the club was fined $500,000 for bringing the game into disrepute, their long serving football manager Gary Hughes was forced from his post, and the club was brought to its knees.
I was reminded of such punishments when the Eagles co-owner Scott Penn talked about the need for consistency.
We’ll forget Penn’s revision of the truth in terms of the Storm immediately standing Inglis down while the Sea Eagles didn’t with their golden boy.
But while we’re on the point of consistency, what about it.
Where are the fines for the Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters so far this year? Sure we’ve heard a lot about “things are changing”; “we are looking into it”. But the papers tell a different story.
If those clubs haven’t brought the game into disrepute this year, then what the bloody hell have they done.
Sure most of the press are a bunch of headline hungry hypocrites, but if nothing goes on then there is nothing to write about. Hammer the clubs early and a tone is set.
The Sharks have talked about looking for players with character. What brought that change of heart on? As if they recruited Reni Maitua and Brett Seymour as a couple of choir boys.
Who was on shift when the Sea Eagles run amok at the start of the season? Why aren’t they looking for new employment?
The same problems occur because the same excuses are accepted: the clubs simply must be held more accountable.
But people can moralise all they want. In sport, if you are good enough, then crime pays.
If a bloke on the fringes of NYC, gets a bit tipsy and stuffs up, then his feet might not touch the ground on his way out the door. But established stars are a law unto themselves.
Look at Mark Gasnier, Sonny Bill Williams, Craig Gower, Karmichael Hunt … do they look like they are paying for their sins off the field?
The fact is that if Inglis is released, then every single NRL club will line up along with the AFL and ARU for his signature. And it won’t come cheap.
When your skills are more than stacking shelves, balancing books and writing prose, then deficiencies in your character will be overlooked. Hell, they’ll even go to court to ensure they don’t reach the public.
But calls to get rid of Gallop, miss the mark. Sure, the education programs don’t appear to be working. But is that his fault?
Have things really gotten that much worse?
Most people I speak to at the clubs seem to think the game has actually gotten better in that regard.
The fact that every misdismeanour now hits the press may skew things, and clearly there is a long way to go, but I don’t think David Gallop can be held to responsible for everything.
In the same way that we wouldn’t praise Gallop for any of the positives that have occurred in league during his tenure, does he have to be tarred by every offence?
Remember, when Gallop took over, rugby league was apparently dead. He has negotiated some pretty tricky waters and must have the patience of a saint.
Maybe the game does need a new leader – it certainly needs a new leadership structure – and if they to go hand in hand, then so be it.
But if David Gallop goes, it shouldn’t be with any guilt for the actions of others.
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