11 questions for NRL conspiracy theorists to answer

Expert

24th September, 2013

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Johnathan Thurston's Cowboys could be headed towards another decider. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan).

Ryan O'Connell

Expert

24th September, 2013

102

2593 Reads

The conspiracy theorists in rugby league might be having very mixed emotions this week. Not being much of a conspiracy theorist myself, I’m not sure how one feels when there is evidence that provides alleged ‘proof’ said theories might be right.

Do you feel vindicated and therefore pleased? Or do you remain bitter and disillusioned?

Or do you simply move on to another conspiracy theory?

For those that have been hiding under a rock, there have been a number of rugby league individuals – almost exclusively from Queensland – who believe that the NRL, the Sydney media and rugby league referees have all conspired to ensure an all Sydney grand final.

It seems the theory has now been (conveniently) extended slightly to an all-NSW final, in order to accommodate the fact Newcastle, a team from outside Sydney, remains alive and may qualify for the decider on October 6.

The Knights are joined by the Manly Sea Eagles, the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, which means the preliminary finals will be an all-NSW affair, and so to – obviously – the grand final as well.

Though the dream scenario, apparently, remains a Roosters versus Rabbitohs grand final, no matter who wins this weekend.

The NRL premiership will live in NSW for at least twelve months and, if you listen to the theorists, provides the evidence that the NRL has purposely dudded the teams from outside of NSW.

I wrongly assumed this type of talk would have finished last week when emotions and tempers, particularly in Townsville, had calmed down, but it seems many still believe that there is an NRL plot against the interstate teams.

With that being the case, and if you still believe the Cronulla Sharks receiving seven tackles against the North Queensland Cowboys is the ultimate proof of a conspiracy, I have a few legitimate, and what I feel are reasonable, questions:

Why would the NRL want to intentionally extend the Sharks’ season, considering the impending embarrassment of sanctions against the club from the ASADA investigation?
Of all the ways to hand a team an advantage, why would the NRL decide that the most effective method would be to provide a team that averages less than 20 points per game, and was still in its own half, an additional 0.33 percent possession for the match?
If you’re going to blatantly ‘cheat’, why do it that early in the game? Wouldn’t it be smarter to do it late in the game, when the decision can have a real impact and influence on the result?
Did you know that Matt Cecchin, one of the on-field referees for the Cowboys/Sharks game, is a Queenslander?
Is it conceivable – if not more probable – that a monumental error was simply made, in regards to the seventh tackle fiasco?
Brent Tate is one of the classiest individuals in rugby league, who plays and talks with a level head. He has stated that there is no conspiracy theory. Are Queenslanders calling one of their favourite sons a liar?
Wouldn’t the NRL prefer a Queensland team in the finals for as long as possible, so as to improve TV ratings north of the border?
If the referees are willing and capable of affecting the outcome of a match in favour of Sydney teams, why don’t they do it in State of Origin and ensure NSW a long awaited series victory?
If the NRL and the referees are trying to orchestrate a Roosters versus Rabbitohs grand final, why are the Roosters the most penalised team in the competition?
Some have pointed to the treatment of the Gold Coast Titans as further proof of a conspiracy, highlighting that they were wrongly denied a try in an extra-time loss against the the Melbourne Storm, while the New Zealand Warriors defeated them by one point, from a Shaun Johnson try that officials later apologised for as an error. Considering both Melbourne and New Zealand are outside of Sydney, how is that evidence of a conspiracy against interstate teams?
Since the NRL’s inception in 1998, eight of the fifteen premiers have come from outside of Sydney. And Melbourne won last year. So was the conspiracy theory only in play this year?

Living in Sydney, and based within the Sydney-centric media, it has been claimed that I live ‘in the bubble’ and it’s therefore hard for me to recognise that a conspiracy theory exists.

I’m happy to admit there is some logic in that thought process.

Yet unless someone can provide some rational answers to the questions posed above, I’ll struggle to change my opinion that any notion of a conspiracy theory against interstate teams is utterly ridiculous.

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Ryan O'Connell

Expert

Ryan is an ex-representative basketballer who shot too much, and a (very) medium pace bowler. He's been with The Roar as an expert since February 2011, has written for the Seven Network, and been a regular on ABC radio.