Of all the bad publicity that rugby league has suffered, surely this is the lowest ebb. Rightly or wrongly, you can pass off drunken escapades as moronic boys being moronic boys.
You can pass off salary cap scandals as hyper-competitive clubs trying to cut corners and take risks to achieve success and riches.
Even the ugly, brawling scenes from two weeks ago can be palmed off as a high-aggression, contact sport, boiling over.
However, having the CEO – the game’s top dog and public face – to come out and liken passion to terrorism is an ill-advised, thoughtless (the fact that it was said on the 10th anniversary of 2001 attacks on the US boggles the mind), act that makes his position untenable.
It completely undermines the support aspect of the game, makes a mockery of the NRL’s own marketing of State of Origin, and alienates all fans who don’t attend, to sit down and shut up.
David Gallop has spat on the graves of everyone who have lost their lives to terrorism, and makes a mockery of our troops risking their lives abroad.
He isn’t some meat-head, ex-player media pundit, prone to the odd brain snap on camera or microphone.
He is a trained lawyer, who of all people, should know the ramifications of wrongly chosen words and think very carefully about the damage those words can do.
It is lazy opinion forming, to assume that the boos at AAMI Park were as a direct result of the punishment for the salary-cap rorting, as Gallop himself seems to have done.
Gallop was not a well-liked man, south of the boarder prior to 2010.
The primary reason is the ‘Melbourne is a footballing outpost’ mentality of the NRL and the rugby league media, and the general sense of abandonment that rugby league fans, down south feel.
Victorian rugby league fans have had to sit and watch the AFL muscle in, firstly on Sydney and Brisbane, and now doubling their presence in those towns, saving no expense.
Exemptions, concessions and direct investment in grassroots and marketing all liberally, dished out to make the move work.
We can thumb our noses at them, all we like, but the reality is that they are doing it and the NRL aren’t.
Never once has Gallop backed rugby league in Victoria, acting in the NRL’s best interests in the state. Having to exist in a saturated AFL market only highlights what the NRL aren’t doing in the same situations, further breeding the ‘Sydney hates us’ mentality of rugby league fans down south.
The cost of promoting grassroots football comes out of the Storm’s pocket – there is no QRL or NSWRL to pick up the tab down there – however the AFL has it’s centrally-funded AusKick program.
The most damming of all is television coverage of the game in Victoria.
It is an indictment of the NRL’s priorities when it remains a mystery as to whether or not State of Origin or finals matches will be shown live in Melbourne, let alone the regular Friday night and Sunday afternoon clashes.
The football codes have experienced an unprecedented commercial boom in the last decade, and the NRL hasn’t capitalised on this at all.
By not expanding the game into new markets and adopting an aggressive campaign to cement the N part of the NRL, rugby league has been treading water.
Don’t flatter yourselves, the front line of the code war isn’t Western Sydney, it’s Melbourne. The Holy Grail is to take on the AFL in their own back yard, and win.
The A-League has proven that you can have a very strong presence, and even steal the limelight during AFL finals week!
They have been successful enough to do in five years what the NRL hasn’t in nearly 15, and expand to a second team.
However, the starkest example is that of the Melbourne Rebels. With a similar base, and a similar colloquial attitude of the game, they are elbowing their way in, making lots of noise and attracting new people to the game.
While all of this happens, Storm fans read in their papers, and see on the news the way the AFL expands, how the FFA and ARU have expanded into Melbourne and begin to feel like the paupers of the Melbourne ‘outpost’ community.
This is why Gallop was booed.
Lost Earthling
Guest
Storm encourage an 'us against the world' mentality but so do many other successful sporting teams. Look at the Broncos, Sea Eagles, Collingwood, St Kilda just to name a few. Maybe that's the way to go to galvanise the playing group and have them thinking everyone who doesn't support them is against them and give them excuses for losses/suspensions or anything else that doesn't go the way they want.
eclipz1
Guest
I agree with Jamesb. Gallop wasn't actually calling Storm fans terrorists, but I'm certainly no fan of his. No sir. Still, if he can stitch up a better deal than the crappy 2am late night night repeats we get on free to air, then more power to him.
mike from PNG
Guest
The NRL have not helped the QRL or the Redcliffe Juniors, but we dont winge, what a load of codswallop this article is, if you cheat you suffer Gallop did not cheat so he should have been treated with respect not distain.
Boomshanka
Guest
Jeff I'm with you. Channel Nine will not show the NRL on a friday night because it would split the advertising dollar for Eddie McGuire and Jeff Brownes beloved AFL. Programmers know this and the rating excuse is exactly that - a poor excuse. Interesting to see that yesterday Nine gained an exemption for this weekends rugby union Ireland vs Australia so they can show that game on their multi channel GEM. The thing that pi..ses me off is the league will "rate" better than union in Melbourne (Talking here a Storm versus Wallabies) yet the effort for Nine to apply for an exemption (as the AFL, Netball, V8s and union has achieved) and show the rugby league (also ESL, NRL, Tests and Origin) is the same, yet they steadfastly refuse to do so. Senator Conroy is happy to sign off on the deal and we'll no doubt see him at the AFL grand final with McGuire as a result. The anti siphoning legislation is to protect Australian access to sport of significance, yet all it is doing is serving the very networks that hoard sport and allowing them to treat us like fools. In this day and age. if they buy the rights to sport they are morally obliged to show them live or near live (an 8 hr delay is not live) or sell them to someone who will. Channel Nines coverage of the RWC is a discussion point across the ditch as well; http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10750277 http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/teams/australia/5585744/Aussie-TV-prefers-Friends-over-All-Blacks
Al from ctown
Guest
Bilbo, wether he resigns or continues to be the leader of the greatest code in the country it doesn't matter... Just over these whinging articles already! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Billo
Guest
"I for one have had just about enough of the Gallop bashing articles," says Al from Ctown. I've had enough of them too, and I wish David Gallop would put us all out of our misery and resign. The article made some very good points. Any league fan who doesn't realise that Gallop is a disaster for the NRL is very naive. His ridiculous comments, if he didn't realise what their effects would be, confirm that he is far too stupid to run a national sport. I would like to see David Gallop's employment contract, to know who employs him and who he is accountable to.
League_Coach101
Guest
Can I suggest that Gallops statement was ill timed (it being the September 11th anniversary) and really the only reason it's made headlines is because he says stupid things so rarely... Gallop has done a great job over the past nine years and I think NRL fans have no idea how lucky they are. Besides - everyone makes stupid statements from time to time. Our Prime Minister said "there will be no Carbon Tax under a Government I lead." Our Opposition leader said "you can't be sure I'm telling the truth unless it's written down." Like I said, everyone makes stupid comments. Maybe this situation could have been a lot better if a few people HAD asked some difficult questions and made some controversial statements. Such as... " Gee I know I'm being pad this much and I know you're worth as much as me.... I wonder how come we're still under the salary cap?"
Football United
Guest
wide world of flogs banned me as well
Al from ctown
Guest
I for one have had just about enoughof the gallop bashing articles, the game hasn't been this strong in a long time, the games are fantastic so to me that says the cap is working ( when being followed by the rules) with the IC and the new tv deal, it will only get bigger.... Afl and nrl will co exsist in Melbourne and greater western sydney, it's only the media that beats this up. The sooner articles like this remain where they should be ( unwritten) and the sooner Melbourne fans and manly fans/ club get over the fact that they did wrong and that's why they are treated differently the better... Accept the punishment and get on with it and you might see a bit more so called "support" from gallop even tho it's a myth that you don't get the same treatment as any other club. Best way to prove yourselves is to vet on with it, follow the rules and build a fanbase that channel 9 will not have a choice but to show league live in Melbourne... Too much negativity from Melbourne and manly supporters is the only thing holding your clubs back... Just get over it and enjoy the footy for christs sake!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Kjin
Guest
Like Gillard Gallop should go!! Anyone with half a brain or more knows not only are they both hopeless, neither of them believe in what they lead. In Gallop's case league in GIllards case Australia. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Tigranes
Guest
didnt realize there were that many Victorian league fans?
Jeff
Guest
Will. Channel 9 are not sticking to their contract, of course David can't stop the games being played at a decent time in Mexico, but, he could insist (and I believe he has done last week) on Ch 9 honouring the agreement. If you look at the programmes that they show instead, you would agree that 'ratings' is a very poor excuse for not showing NRL games. *** please note that I said NRL games, not just Storm games, I love league and it really bugs me that on Friday night, I cannot watch both games without staying awake until 3-30am, even though I subscribe to Foxtel who advertise that they show all games LIVE. We should not have to wait for the new agreement when the clause for earlier broadcasting is already in the present one. The NRL (Whoever they are), should have acted on this lots earlier . we fans (OF LEAGUE), just want a fair deal and if ???? the clause is already written in, then someone should insist on it being adhered to. for the sake of promoting our game and giving the fans a break. Sorry, I promised no more comments, but this subject has irked me for ten years and all my official complaints have been totally ignored by NRL and Channel 9. The latter being rude enough to not even reply to my concerns and even Blocking me (and several hundred Storm fans) from their facebook page for asking for a reply. any reply!!!/
Jeff
Guest
Hey Cool. What about someone writing an article about Manly being a well loved team with a great support base, That would certainly be against the flow of recent (Past 10 yrs) articles and comments... I was considering dropping off this forum after being 'bashed' for a few weeks. But, I love to give a bit of stick in return. so what would I do with spare time between weekends!!.!!
Meesta Cool
Guest
Good one Boydy That one hasn't really 'bugged me' but yup, I think it would take some swallowing if I were living where it does get coverage. especially this week for Dragons fans. Thanks Renegade, I only just realised how sucked in I get to most of these articles + the comments of pseudo hatred for my team I am sure that other posters are as sick of my repeated comments that I am of theirs. So I will make a concerted effort not to be drawn in again.
Renegade
Guest
Meesta Cool, That's the best post i've read today ;)
Boydy
Guest
The articles I mentioned Danny me old mate were referenced to make a point. Yes, you indeed have had many articles published but as far as I can tell (and I'm sure you will correct me if I'm wrong) only 5 or 6 of them are about rugby league and they all have a distinctly Melbourne Storm flavour about them. Even in the one positive article of yours that I've read "Toyota Cup is a great alternative to a draft" there is a thinly veiled reference to how the Storm were penalised for having a high focus on player development. You say you know a fair bit about writing, well then prove it. Write something positive about our great game instead of wearing out your keyboard by banging-on about how the Storm are picked on and hated by everyone north of Albury-Wodonga. And before you write any more hate mail about David Gallop just remember one thing. It wasn't him who got caught with his hand in the salary-cap cookie jar mate. If you Storm fans want to be angry with anyone then you needn't look any further than your players and their managers who signed two sets of contracts and to the club management who hatched the whole sordid plot in the first place!
oikee
Guest
Melbourne Storm have only been around for what, 12 years, they are doing fine, have some nice rivalries and the only problem they really have is tv coverage, and maybe another team so they have a derby, But Brisbane has only 1 team. Every team is our derby. :) Mate, i would be over the moon if i lived in Melbourne, had this beautiful stadium all to myself, and would be a member so i would have perfect seats. They will keep growing, no big deal. As for Gallop, he has only made a slight booboo, and the commish will be in place soon to help him out, plus a tv deal to improve grassroots down south hopefully. Things are looking good, and i hope the Storm play their next game at AAMI not Etihad. Anyhow, sit back and watch how a club who has been around for what 26 years, the Broncos, and this is what you have to look forward to, a sellout for Saturday nite live baby, live. Storm are getting their, and this is all part of the journey. Brisbane has never trusted NSW rugby league either, we were the first super league club off the rank. :)
oikee
Guest
Melbourne storm under 20's made the finals, and i think they won the state comp as well. NRL players dont grow on trees. We are still looking for Victorians big enough and ugly enough to play our game :) . Fervola is the only player i think would be good, maybe one or 2 others so far.
clipper
Guest
Will, you're right, next TV deal they can do something about it, forgo a few million so Ch 9 will show the game. This happened with the US Open - virtually no coverage by Ch 9, and the Final only got played because Sam was in it, and that would've rated better than RL in Melbourne. The Rugby coverage has been woeful as well - look at Ch9 screening the opening after the RL, as they thought they would lose viewers having it on Gem in opposition - especially all the Kiwis, SA, Brits etc who would've watched that instead.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Never once, anywhere in the article have I said that Gallop likened the Storm fans to terrorists. The whole issue is about passionate support, and given some of the visceral - and very personal - attacks I've recieved for this article, he is talking about YOU. I have tried to give a passionate, and reasonable view of the event. I stand by every word (except the single spelling mistake, which isn't actually a spelling mistake, rather an incorrect choice of word). I think that the comment belittles victims of terror and undermines our efforts to combat it. I think that it is horribly ill advised, and if the CEO of any company, or a politician had made a similar comment, resignations would have been demanded. Agree or disagree, that is how I feel. The second half of the article was an analysis of the percieved injustices that Storm fans feel. Yes, I am a Storm fan, I grew up in Melbourne (although I don't live there now), but to migrant parents and have no interest in AFL. It gives me a unique prisim through which to view the way the NRL has expanded, as a 13yo boy, I was the target audience. My experience of going through that time, while having the AFL's expansion constantly thrust in my face growing up is how I have formed my view. Could the NRL have done more? Yes, in my opinion they could. The only expansion since the Storm has been a safe bet return to the Gold Coast, however if the NRL is serious about expansion into frontier territories, then the issues I've mentioned need to be addressed. I'm not going to be bitter that a Perth team got something that the Storm didn't, it shows that progress is being made, thats all that fans in Melbourne, and I would wager NRL fans generally want. To address some of the other criticisms: The current TV deal was negotiated during Gallops time as CEO, why didn't he make demands regarding at least State of Origin and Finals matches? I don't think it is a big ask. NRL/SoO actually rates very well when shown live in Melbourne, and the fact that the Storm are constantly amongst the highest rating teams on Fox would tend to back this up. I am quite happy to admit that I am a Storm fan, but frankly, in the last 12 months that has been something of an occupational hazard. I don't apprecaite the vitriol and personal attacks that I've seen and experienced here and on other forums. Frankly it isn't worth it. It is disheartening to have your opinion dismissed without even actually reading the article, which appears to have happened here. Whilst I'm not a journalist, I know a thing or two about writing, and I've tried to leave my biases to the side as much as possible, however this is an opinion site, and my experiences will influence my writing. Finally to Boydy, taking the titles of three of my previous articles (I've had 18 published on this site) and dumping them out of context is simply lazy, and only highlights that it is you that has the agenda against me. “Are Melbourne Storm the NRL’s Barcelona?” was an article to discuss the fact that players seem to be able to move in and out of the Storm side interchangably, regardless as to whether or not they were washed up has beens, untried teenagers or big money superstars. “What’s the future of NRL salary cap auditing?” was an article written by a fan who felt betrayed by both his club for cheating the system and the NRL's auditors for failing to detect it for five years, and looking for ways for the NRL to ensure that nobody has to experience the heartache of having some of the most memorable events of your life (attending the 2007 Grand Final) be absolutely meaningless. “Inglis has nobody to blame but himself”, I think that this article is the one that I've written that treads closest to the line, however given the context of the Storm's efforts to keep him and the wrangling over the unpaid legal bills, I think that my opinion was reasonable. If the the story was about another player leaving another club, I would have the same view of it.