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:
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.
Troy
Guest
The biggest issue I see is the lack of action taken against clubs cheating, these are Sydney clubs, salary cap, pep tids steriods, human growth hormones, both clubs in the finals could have breaches for drugs and banned for bringing the game into disriput. What would have the out cry if it was the broncos or the storm. Until the powers to become equal representation from all states, there will always be distrust of the NRL and NSWRL
john badseed
Guest
As for the GF reffing....we all knew it was coming..."Dharrrls, I think a trophy would look uber in the Paddo terrace".
Steve
Guest
Well I guess he means in comparison to Union. To be fair to Union, their love of complexity sees them change the game's rules every few years in the hope they'll eventually find a set of rules that works. Hasn't happened yet, but maybe one day....
A1
Guest
Can't believe there was a petition. Ever heard of taking it on the chin?
Ken
Guest
Can some one tell me why and I'll add my opinion on conspiracy theories why qld and storm teams in the finals were spanked in the penalty counts early on and for some miracle once the damage was done the refs seemed to want to hide their bias by evening up the penalty counts near the end of the game to hide the lop sided count....e.g Hayne penalised the storm 6 times consequetively and once the team was buggered against Souths near the end he seemed to find some penaltys in their favour so the initial lop sided count was hidden...you don't see a bias but we outside of NSW are seeing it a lot,if it walks like a duck quacks like a duck ..... Guys it's a duck.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Interesting post-script to this story. Below is the follow-up email to those that signed the petition to have North Queensland re-instated into the NRL Finals: Hi everyone! Firstly, thank you so much for so passionately getting behind this cause and signing the petition. In just over 48 hours we reached over 30,000 signatures and now we sit at just over 34,000. The response has been incredible, and because of your support the petition received huge media coverage, both in newspapers, radio and television. Yesterday the NRL returned my calls and I spoke to one of the Manager's at the head offices. Unfortunately, the news isn't what we wanted to hear. He assured me that even though there has been an inundation of support and protest, there is nothing they can do to reverse what has already taken place. I still believe that these are just convenient excuses, but it does seem like there is now no chance that the Cowboys will be reinstated into the competition this year. I'm extremely disappointed that this has been the outcome despite our best efforts, however I certainly don't believe that this was all in vain. I've had plenty of emails telling me that I am wasting my time and that this petition will do nothing, and even though it has not achieved our ideal outcome, it has sent a very clear message to the NRL that we will not stand for this any longer. At the very least it has achieved some reform in the way the referees must count tackles, and it has also helped in the decision for the 6 refs that were refereeing the Cowboys vs Sharks match to be stood down for the rest of the NRL season this year. I know this is no consolation for us as it still doesn't change the outcome for the Cowboys, but hopefully it will mean that it will never happen again. And if for some reason it does, the NRL will have no chance of ignoring us again. The fans are what make the NRL, and over the past few days we've been able to send that message strongly. Hopefully the NRL will start to realise this and pay more attention to us in the future. However, even though we haven't received our desired outcome, I by no means think we should give up. For the future of the game and its integrity, we need to continue to put pressure on the NRL and not let them forget that the fans are the heart of the sport. If you have a spare few minutes I would encourage you to continue to email, call and send letters to the NRL expressing how you feel about the decision that was made in the Cowboys v Sharks game, and how it affects the future of the game. If you could also continue to alert them to the petition that would be much appreciated. Here are some links with various contact details: - http://www.nrl.com/NRLHome/ContacttheNRL/tabid/10925/Default.aspx - www.nrl.com/NRLHQ/ReferenceCentre/ContactDetails/tabid/10863/Default.aspx Also, please continue to support the North Queensland Cowboys through memberships, messages of support and encouraging them into the 2014 season. I can't wait for their first home game next year, it would be great to totally pack out 1300 Smiles Stadium and send another clear message to the NRL. With over 34,000 of us, this is definitely possible. Thank you again to everyone for signing the petition and showing your support, and please don't give up! The NRL expect us to forget about the situation and let them off the hook, we need to make sure that doesn't happen. Thank you, and ride em' cowboys!
A1
Guest
Your logic has no place amongst these nut jobs!
Alex
Guest
Haha. My actual thoughts are the NRL have made every effort, whether successful or not,to expand viewership, attendance and marketability of the game. A conspiracy to effect games and teams in the final cannot exist simply because the game would die if it came out that was the case. Can you imagine the amount of people who would give up following the sport if they found out the final was predetermined. No matter how much an all Sydney GF could bring to the game it would not out way the damage that would be done to the game if a conspiracy came to light.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
If you've read some of the replies, you would know why!
Rick Karaitiana
Guest
Hi Scott Regards to Smith, after the South Sydney game can you blame him. But then they were beaten by a better team the next week.
belrose eagle
Guest
part of the problem is we use to have black and white rules now so many have been change to interpretation and anyones can be different and its open to easy manipulation with no one really responsible bring back the old ways that worked add the tech stop changing fundamentals of the game every year they have tried to fix things that weren't broken and the result is its never been more broken
belrose eagle
Guest
I have never read so much crap from one person oikee broncos getting to play every Friday no conspiracy there the reason the broncos r going backwards is because there fans only support if winning when your losing u don't want to know and this is what we get its all a big conspiracy to hold u back u QLDERS were saying the same thing in the early 2000s when u were getting lapped in origin now look u win 8 in a row is that a con or was it all skill hang on there were some dodgy calls that cost NSW must have been a CONSPIRACY fact broncos have not been the same since lockyer retired he was irreplaceable like jhons at Newcastle unlucky with yow yeh made really bad decisions in recruitment and retention that is why they suck for now not because of the NRL or anyone else u have a city of millions to back u when some Sydney clubs would be lucky to have half a million fans if that isn't a leg up on every other team in the entire comp then what is so plz stop repeating the same stuff on how hard done by the broncos are or QLD every single comment thread think logically before u comment and u only hate manly cause there so good if they sucked u wouldn't care and don't worry the broncos will come good sooner or later
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I'll take most criticism on the chin, and any time someone strongly disagrees with me, I'll take it on-board and reflect upon what I wrote/said. It doesn't mean I'll always end up agreeing with them, but I respect all Roarers enough to at least ask myself the question. But I think labelling this article a 'cheap shot' is out of line, and just plain false. By all means disagree with what I wrote; say I'm biased; say I live in the Sydney bubble. But it was certainly not a cheap shot, nor was it meant to be inflammatory or antagonistic. I don't like sensationalistic, trashy or cheap coverage of the game, and aim never to lower myself to that standard. And I don't think this piece goes anywhere remotely close to that.
AlanKC
Guest
I'm still wondering why you bothered to write the article.
V.O.R.
Guest
Actually the pro Queensland Brisbane media has been diluted thanks to the long arm of Murdoch...most of what we are fed is just rehashed from the Southern media. Personally I get all my media online, from Sydney or Melbourne, so my views are not shaped by Brisbane media. I do have a set of eyes however that allows me to distinguish hypocrisy and double standards no matter where I see it. "No question the power brokers are upsetting a lot of people, and crowd numbers did drop this season – but moreso in Sydney than anyone else right?" Not sure exactly what you are trying to suggest with this question. I simply stated that your energies would be better served writing about something that you perhaps have knowledge in and that you can treat impartially...for example a focus on the top 11 failings of the game and what can be done about it. This article is just a cheap shot for you and I think you can deliver better.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
V.O.R, language, tone and intent aside, I see nothing in your last comment that I vehemently disagree with. Heaven forbid that you and I should find any shred of common ground!
A1
Guest
Read below guys! Plenty of Queensland nutters still believe in the conspiracy!
V.O.R.
Guest
"it seems the real power of the ‘conspiracy theory’ and/or bias doesn’t come from whether it truly exists or not, but whether Queenslanders believe it exists or not." Ryan, take it from a Queenslander, you have the cart before the horse mate. You know the history to State of Origin right..the reason for its conception? ...and you have been watching since then? Taking a step back from it all, there is no reason why you should have an understanding of the very real bias that exists against QLD teams and players, because it does not affect you negatively. As much as you would like to delude yourself that it is the case, Queenslander's do not consciously take advantage of conspiracy and bias to motivate themselves when it comes to interstate rivalry as you suggest, instead their motivation comes from, as 'No Cigar' suggests the fact that the N in NRL stand for NSW...and that my NSW mouthpiece is quite enough.
Felix
Guest
Thanks mate, it put my work day back half an hour but you know what, some things are worth it.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Just to clarify what may have looked like a contradiction to you, when I said “But I believe it has far less impact and influence than you would have me and others believe”, you left "Kind of" off the end of the quote. Kind of important, don't you think? Because I meant in terms of the NRL actually influencing games - because I don't think they do. The influence and impact comes from what Queenslanders believe, and their response to it - the galvanising of an entire state. As for who I spoke to, one was Brisbane Times Sports Editor Phil Lutton, someone more than qualified to discuss Queensland, and their attitudes and beliefs. And he said Queensland will look for any edge they can get mentally, and the bias against them doesn't need to be real, it can be perceived. And that's what he thinks it is: perceived, with elements of truth. As for everything else, in many regards you're just aggressively agreeing with me, which falls back on good old fashioned state rivalry. No more, no less. But whatever floats your boat. Or works!