Rugby league currently finds itself in Australian sports version of no man’s land. It’s a purgatorial style middle ground surrounded on one side by the positive light thrown from the NRL’s unstoppable popularity and resilience.
The game continues to impress on the field by showcasing an era in which a handful of the greatest players to ever play the game operate on a week-to-week basis.
Unfortunately, to the opposite side lies the dark shadow that is being cast by a drugs investigation, lurching the game from negative headline to negative headline.
For this writer and fan it is a confused situation and is one that is proving frightening to even this most hardy of games.
This strange atmosphere currently surrounding the game would not have been out of place in an episode of Rod Serling’s classic supernatural series. Rugby league: welcome to the Twilight Zone.
In this mysterious dimension fans are being asked to continue watching and believing in the game they love, all the while knowing that at any time in the near future the whole thing could come horribly unstuck.
It’s like an inescapable game of Russian Roulette, where each new ASADA linked newspaper headline represents the empty click of the trigger, leading us one step closer to a bullet through the games heart.
The ASADA investigation, with its diligent government processes and confidential, behind closed doors method is confronting to a game built on standing toe to toe against an opponent.
And the confusion and lack of confidence in how to deal with this crisis is becoming ever more apparent.
Stoic rugby league types are jumping at shadows and the mere mention of ASADA is the cue for faces to contort through several different emotions (anger, confusion, sadness) before being met with a shrift ‘if they have evidence, then show us the evidence’.
As the season grinds on this seems less a statement of defiance and more a plea for the circus to end.
Stark examples of this were recently seen during the deflated press conferences of the Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan after his teams past two losses.
The Sharks are at the vanguard of this surrealist tragedy having been singled out as the starting point for the ASADA investigation after the club’s involvement with under suspicion sport scientist Stephen Dank.
Flanagan’s attempts in trying to protect his players from the enormous pressure created by the ASADA strife is one of the more admirable coaching acts of this rugby league season.
But this stressful effort has obviously taken a massive physical and psychological toll.
The strain on the coach’s face portrays the demeanour of a man who understands all to well the horrors that lay ahead for his beleaguered team.
Flanagan and his captain Paul Gallen admitted last week that the ongoing episode continues to sap the life out of their teams week to week preparations and justifiably they see this as a major reason for the team’s sinking fortunes.
Rugby league was a game that was founded and then flourished on a siege mentality, the ‘us versus them’ trope that has been a constant throughout the code’s storied and controversial history.
But this mentality has always required a clearly defined and physically manifested opposition or controversy, like players off field indiscretions or a club’s financial crisis.
The shadowy way in which the drug investigations have been carried out in reference to Cronulla have so far sidelined the NRL and its communities effectiveness in supporting a club under siege.
If journalists and media commentators are to be taken at their word, the ASADA investigation will soon reveal the names and circumstances of the players and officials directly involved in the affair, suddenly plunging the game into the darkness.
The Sharks are all but dead in the water as a competitive force just six weeks into a competition and this only serves to highlight the strangeness of rugby league’s current situation.
Because while all this is playing out the game continues on its merry way, comfortably carrying on like a blissfully innocent child unaware of a looming family tragedy.
As a fan and observer it is an absurd situation, one in which the outcome is uncertain and the effects of which cannot be predicted. Like waiting for a slow-moving flood that is inevitable and promises nothing but heartache and destruction.
Until the NRL can gain clear air and escape the ASADA fuelled purgatory, it’s impossible to watch the completion without thoughts constantly returning to what difficulties the future may hold, all the while betraying this fans enjoyment of watching the greatest game of all.
cos789
Guest
This period in Australia's sporting history is dominated by one huge event . Trial by the media . It has you and all your associates guilty until proven innocent. Of all the inuendo and accusations has there been one charge? Can people or organisations recoup any of the huge monies loss through unsubstantiated accusations?
clipper
Guest
Never commented on that, although it's becoming less so, with Nick Poitis declaring that league was dead in the east last week
Bearfax
Guest
I was a parole officer for 34 years Oikee if you must know, within the courts, the community and gaols and I would suggest I know a little more about the system than you do. In answer, they have known about these problems for years. By the way I also discuss this at length with a very experienced retired solicitor friend, who is also very closely aligned with the Souths club and the behind the scenes issues within the League. His and my positions are in concurrence.
Renegade
Guest
Ýes there is, but it's still RL territory...
clipper
Guest
What's a fowel - is it something a chicken uses to dry itself? - and I presume you won't be coming to the Eastern, Inner City or Northern Suburbs of Sydney either, as there's a fair bit of AFL(and Rugby) there as well.
oikee
Guest
The whole afl community is in denial. It is unhealthy as a community as a whole to not acknowledge such a major issue. The only sensible support that this issue is getting is from renegade Melbourne media. All afl care about is record crowds and telling everyone how drugs dont effect those figures, again it goes to show a society that cares only about sport over major issues. poor form from this code.
oikee
Guest
Look, you are not really understanding the issues and the criminal element involved by your remark here. "This should have been done in the off season",,,???? Oh really, shall we ask theives not to rob us during Xmas season because it is our off season. Should we ask Manchester criminals to have a holiday, it is the off season. ???? Mate, lets agree to disagree, i dont really think you know the issues, what were you in the criminal justice system, holiday's co-ordinator. hehe.
Australian Rules
Guest
Edward, you must be reading different articles from the "Melbourne based AFL media" which show they're "trying" to downplay this whole saga. Such as Caroline Wilson who has led the charge for James Hird to stand down? Or Patrick Smith who has been nothing short of scathing toward the AFL?..as he usually is. I mean, you realize the papers are available on the net these days yeah? So let's look at today's Age...Proszenko writes about the threat of players going to jail if they lie to ASADA...Pierek's article starts with the headline "AFL out of touch"...Lane criticizes the way Hird has been blindly supported by fans...his daughter writes about how coaches have failed as role models...want me to go on? And that's just a quick scan from today...from one paper. By all means, feel free to dislike the AFL, but if you're going to post statements...try clicking your mouse a few more times to do some actual research...rather than spout an oft-repeated but empty crow call. After all, we'd hate for there to be inaccurate or biased reporting...
Bearfax
Guest
Oikee I am not disputing that this is a serious issue and as you meant to say more than ''a storm in a teacup'. We dont even though know at this stage if the principal person said to be behind the problem is guilty of anything, despite his background and the gossip flying around about him. Maybe he is, maybe not. I certainly dont know and at this stage none of us do. I worked for over three decades in the criminal justice system in the middle of such actions and well know the issues here. And one of the main issues is that when you are doing an investigation you show respect to all those who are in some way likely to be affected by the process, and do the least harm in the process. Its not like TV where our hero cop gets everyone in a room and then makes a general accusation of everyone to draw out the bad guy. There is a proper procedure to be followed and ASADA does not appear to be following that procedure as it should. They seem to be blundering about making threats, trying to make deals, implying endemic illicit drug taking and supported by a ravenous media that is speculating all over the place leaving none of us clear as to what is really happening. What happened to showing respect for peoples rights, assuming innocence that requires a court to determine guilt. Their only positive move, that has taken too long, is to start their interviews and to keep the interviewee's identity private. You see Oikee they are detrimentally affecting the income and employment of many because they think they have the goods on a few. They are prolonging the process thereby doing increasing harm to the players, the clubs and the paying customers. And dont tell me that a persons livelihood is in any way less important than the issue being pursued. There are a large number of innocent people being detrimentally affected by this process, that should have been done during the off season to start but in a much more delicate and specifically directed manner. I'm not condoning drug cheats by any stretch and dont want them in the game and in the end we all may think ASADA has done a good job in weeding out the miscreants and cleaning up the game. But Oikee, I'm yet to be convinced that the problem is anywhere near as widespread as suggested. Just because you are accused, doesnt make you guilty. And if you were involved in this, trusting your doctor or someone in authority and knowledgeable about a certain substance you innocently allowed to be given to you orally or intravenously only to now be informed that it may be illegal and that you would be punished, how would you react. And dont tell me that rubbish that you should have known. Most of those playing League are working class kids who wouldnt know the meaning of complex substances. And you trust your doctor to care for you dont you. To me this is a witch hunt and like killing a mosquito with a sledge hammer. And I wonder how concerned those in charge are for the welfare of the players because I'm not convinced that this process hasnt some political impetus behind it as well and that the players are merely the pawns in that process..
uPelican
Guest
Frankly I think this is the usual caper of beaurocrats trying to advance their career at the expense of other people'careers. Are you trying to tell us that professional athletes do things that that they think will advance their athletic performance and earning capacity? Give me a break. People should stop carrying on like schoolgirls.
oikee
Guest
AFL seem to get away with too much and have pulled the wool. It leaves a fowel taste in my mouth and i wont ever be travelling further south than Sydney or across to NZ. I like to be in the real world.
oikee
Guest
This is a serious serious issue. This is not the Storm over the salary cap issue, where they were stripped of titals and the whole affair made public and named and shamed, no this is 10 times more serious. Players and admin staff even docotrs and sports scientists can be jailed for giving wrong evidence. This is a very serious issue and trying to make it anything less is not understanding that there will be no false accusations or comeback for any legal case on behalf of the NRl or clubs. Mate left unchecked, this could have lead to match fixing and all sorts of underground activity. Making light of this is a big mistake. I also dont think manly are in the clear either. The guy at the head of all of this was at this club for way too long. watch this space, it is now the Championship hours. This is where you will see some heads roll. Like i said, it is a criminal activity. Dont stick up for these muppets involved. This is what they want you to do.
fishes
Guest
If the NRL is in the twilight zone they only have themselves to blame. Look at THE TOP. Look at how much better the AFL is handling the situation. James Hird is still coaching, not even stood down. Andrew Demetriou aught to be commended. And this is coming from a one eyed league supporter. But this crisis has shown light years in terms of the management of the 2 codes. Rugby league needs to stand strong. The sooner the end to this, no matter what the outcome, the better. John Grant and David Smith are missing in action. NO crisis is bigger than the league but you wouldn't know it with these guys running the game. It's a disgrace to the code.
Mee
Guest
I'm shocked the media in Melboure are reporting the Demons issues! Usually anything negative gets no air time .
Edward Kelly
Guest
Time will tell. Interestingly just in the last few days there has been stuff coming out about some seriously weird happenings in the AFL, so big even the Melbourne based AFL media can not downplay it (though they try). I tend to think the NRL will just keep on keeping on, without any major ASADA shock, and some NRL players may get some interesting legal proceedings happening!
Tax but no rep
Guest
EK You obviously havent been reading the Sydney herald where the AFL are copping a pasting on questionable evidence. No-one knows where this will end up and I tend to go with ex NRL official Annersley who said the evidence is shocking...
Edward Kelly
Guest
ASADA went rabid when it had that big fishing expedition of a news conference, which if you now look back on, had no real substance to all its doom and gloom of banned drugs and links to organised crime. Added to this the vulture-like culture of the NRL media which swung into full gear with many columns of stuff that was simply made up. It is therefore no surprise that the NRL fans and players are all a bit dazed. Time will probably show that the AFL has far more serious problems with ASADA than does the NRL but your average sports watcher would not get this impression when reading the sports pages. This is where the NRL administration and the NRL media have let fans down.
Bearfax
Guest
I certainly dont want drug use in any sport in Australia. Not only is it dangerous to the players but it is cheating. I think back at Olympic competitors who have strived so hard to achieve success only to be defeated by drug cheats later revealed. Those honest sportspeople must be gut wrenched by not only having lost to a drug cheat but still denied the recognition they should have received had those cheats not competed. Same applies to Rugby League. But I'm confused here with ASADA's procedures. Firstly surely if they have known about problems in league and other sports they could have started the process several months before so that the competition is only minimally affected. What happens if Cronulla/Manly players are totally vindicated. Do they get compensation from the Federal Government for the interference caused to their employment. Does the League as a whole get compensation. Do we the public get compensated for the interference to a loved social activity. Do those who placed bets early get compensated because of the damage caused to teams they selected. This process has done nothing so far to give the public confidence that ASADA is anything but an interfering busy body and rumour monger. This process which I assume has been going on for perhaps years is now several months into interfering with a prominent public sport and has nothing to show for its efforts. All the bluster, threats, innuendos, offered deals, interference has led to not one substantive fact. Now it may be that some players are guilty of illicit drug use and if so, and they were aware of the fact, then they have to face the consequences. But this process compares I feel with an example of a situation where an innovative school teacher comes under scrutiny with allegations that he may have cheated by giving his students an unfair advantage. Inspectors come in and tell the class that there are such allegations and as many as ten of the class may have benefited from that and whether they know about it or not they will be punished. They then proceeded with their investigations interfering with the classes's schooling. Would that be right? There is something fundamentally wrong with his whole process suggesting that the aim is to catch whoever they can, no matter the damage it may cause to the remainder.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Im with you on that one , I feel it everyday and waking to see to the days headlines every morning hoping to read " ASADA MISUNDERSTANDING" so this feeling of despair will dissapear for good. Cronulla finally have the roster and more importantly a solid fullback and were ready to take on the top sides come sept, ankle tapped, before rd1 and even though they showed signs of the side they have last weekend against Manly at Brookvale , the season is getting away from them and it looks like the worst for there 10 players is yet to come. I pray this will be sorted soon for the sake of the game. Lead investigator on this should be demoted for the manner in which it has conducted itself, poorly handled.
oikee
Guest
3 teams seem to be stuck in the twilight zone. Sharks as you mentioned, Parramatta and Tigers. You throw in the Panthers and the Warriors and it looks like a pretty good battle between these clubs. All of these clubs have one thing in common, they have a lot of young guys on their playing lists and coming through. The Broncos were in this group only last year and the one before. Give them time to build, yes the drug issue is a nuisence a pain in the you know what, but we cant do much about that until it gets sorted. Most of the Cronulla players have only recently arrived. So they still will have their core group.