The NRL needs to decide what sort of game they want

The code is not limiting itself to the so called working class,whatever that means these days. The very reason for removal of shoulder charges,the biff,and tough decsions on offfield idiots.You have to sell the sport not only to the fathers but the mothers more so. That is why there are more girls playing rugby league historically and that area of the code, grew at the fastest rate in 2013.

It may well have been marketed that way back in the early 1890s,but for many decades the northern states looked at it and watched it as the VFL. The name change to the AFL to encompass the nation so to speak, was later used as a nationally played & covered game,unless i am reading it incorrectly. Anycase Golf,Tennis,Rugby codes,Soccer,Baseball,Basketball,Surfboard riding (with the Hawaian Duke) are all well entrenched in this country .All have decent and sometimes large followings and as their names suggest not restricted boundarywise.

"Not that I noticed". Excellent.

Whilst the numbers have dropped indeed as have other codes in the UK that is a given. The facts are rugby league was the only team sport to register an increase across the 12month period Oct 2012/Oct 2013.This prior to RLWC 2013,which they expect to have further increases. Those playing a code at least once a week. http://www.londonrl.com/article/11245/numbers-grow-in-rl-participation As to the so called only working class following rugby league, the survey conducted by Torque in 2004 suggests otherwise http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/archive/index.php/t-65414.html And if people are not happy to use that site ,google around perhaps "what is the richest sport by fan base" Torque survey.' The whole issue of working class/middle class is blurred.Have alook at the people behind the Roosters/the Bronocs/the Sharks,even Parramatta and the Sea Eagles.Hell is Harry Trigaboff working class,or Lachlan Murdoch,or Damien Keogh,Mark Bouris. Accounting and legal firms have boxes and sponsor. Many of the current crop of NRL players have completed or completing tertiary studies from Farah,to Copely to King to Wilson to Ben Creagh to name a few. Even many of the cheerleaders are uni students.Not that I noticed . It was not that long ago another survey noted the Macquarie Bank's most popular tipping comp was rugby league. This is 2014 not the 70s or 80s.When you see BMW,Volvos and even the odd Merc at NRL games car park eg the Shire ,someone has money. .

Fandom? In Latin American we call fan groups "hinchadas". It comes from a Nacional de Montevideo fan, who happened to be the team's ball inflator ("hinchapelotas").

I'm using working class in the same sense that Marketers use it. Defining it by behavioural characteristics such as those that I listed, rather than by income. I hope that clarifies things.

Your last two paragraphs are especially excellent JH. Everyone is quick to label players as "grubs" but then whinge about these grubs tactics being rubbed out because it supposedly diminishes the toughness of the game. I'd rather see a good hard tackle where the defender makes contact around the middle and puts the attacked on his back. Guaranteed the attacker will be rattled and there is nothing illegal about it. Just a good solid tackle.

Well said Epiq, for what its worth. I think there's a battle going on at the moment for Rugby League's soul, for lack of a better term, between traditionalists and progressives. And I think that, like all politics everywhere, Rugby League is trying to attract support from the middle whilst at the same time not alientating its base. My position in this is on record - I want to be able to still watch this game in a few decades time and would hate for it to go the way of the NBL. I'd like Mums and Dads all over the place to not be wary of allowing their kids to play Rugby League, just because of the Carneys, Dugans and Gallens of the world. Like it or not, there's an image problem here that needs addressing. On field, shoulder charges were the tip of the ice-berg: we should also have unnecessary roughness violations (or whatever else you want to call it) for elbows in the eye socket, forearms to the throat and so forth while players are tackled. And it should be policed ruthlessly - it will stop after the first two penalties in any given game, I can almost guarantee it. I just shake my head at those who think that getting rid of this conduct diminishes the "toughness" of the game. Toughness comes from making three tackles in a row, taking the hitup that no-one wants, covering the middle from marker and having the smallest bloke in the defensive line putting his body on a bigger opponent time and time again over the course of the game. It isn't punching people in the face, grabbing players' testicles or trying to forcibly remove the sitches from an opponent's face. That's not toughness. It is thuggery.

Maybe you're right about union and it's changed recently. My sum total of union viewing over the past decade was about 15 minutes of a Wallabies vs All Black test a year or two back and I reckon the ball was lucky to have been in play for 5 minutes. There were three attempts to re-pack a scrum before a penalty was awarded, someone went down injured and the game stopped for a few minutes, plus with half a dozen of the usual kick - catch - kick - trudge to the line out etc etc. I couldn't stand anymore than the 15 minutes so switched off. Comparing league and union, I think there have been many studies showing the ball is in play longer in union, but this is beside the point. The point is that the constant referral to the video in league is slowing it down and making the game less entertaining. Plus it has the terrible side-effect of making all refs second-guess themselves and so they completely lack confidence. Bill Harrigan was arrogant (still is actually) but at least he made a decision. The only one in the current mob who does is Henry Peranara (?).

Interesting you link rugby union/ NFL. Surely rugby league stops at every tackle? I mean the ball is dead isn't it? That to me is a stoppage, which means rugby league will never flow like soccer, or in my opinion, rugby union, games in which the ball is contestable. But I get your point about the video referees which I think should go.

We perhaps need to define what 'working class' is? I don't necessarily see all working class people as having a lack of sophistication. Also just because you have money doesn't mean you are sophisticated (and doesn't mean you are going to try an imported beer or be open minded about things).

Maybe it's just a way of selling higher profit items to more people!

Sorry, SVB, meant to say úp north'- there was a strong league following there that has diminished somewhat over the decades - have a look at 'this sporting life' (a great English film in the '50's) and the changes become more obvious. Agree with your comment that being at an event'' is more important to many than actually being at the event.

I agree clip, and it's sort of what I meant. Working class was once celebrated, but is now is somewhat derided. I disagree with SVB though. I don't believe it is because we have become more materialistic, it is because we have become more sophisticated. There are certain negative connotations that come with being "working class" that people no longer see as desirable traits. Imagine 20 years ago when someone ordering an imported beer was enough have them labelled a sissy. Look at our culture now. The types of movies and music we used to enjoy has changed and RL needs to as well.

Australian football was called the Australian game in headings in newspapers as far back as the 1890's in NSW and QLD (and elsewhere) The AFL did not start it, was in motiion over 100 years ago.

Australian football was marketed as the Australian game as far back as the early 1890's. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/19631612?searchTerm=australian game&searchLimits= http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15861039?searchTerm=australian game&searchLimits=

Football was always king in England. It was always loved by the working class. Still is. The working class mantle has lost it's appeal due to the fact that our society is more materialistic than it once ever was. Community clubs have been replaced by businesses. People are now more or less consumers rather than supporters.For most people going to a big sporting event is about telling people they were there or getting their photo taken and putting it on Facebook. I don't always see it as a good thing. Middle class and working class is always a blurry line. Most people in Australia can afford a lot of things. It is just if they ever lose their job that they would be in a lot of trouble.

Epiquin - I don't think it's the working class that is shrinking, rather that no one wants to be known as working class anymore and have greater aspirations. Once upon a time, especially in England, the 'working class' mantle was one you wore with pride, but that seems to have changed, and may explain how Football has essentially taken over in England. Just look at suburbs here like Castle or Pendle Hills or think of themselves as anything but being from the Western Suburbs and how you can call yourself Moore Park east instead of Redfern and instantly your property is worth more.

Disagree with this article. You do realise that the AFL labelled it 'Australia's game' due to the fact that it is the only football code that originated in Australia? Nothing to do with changing the brand. Even they aren't as dumb as to limit themselves to Australia only. (Even though it is remote that it will ever take off overseas) So why on earth would the NRL limit themselves to blue collar 'working man' status?

For me, the working class image needs to be shafted. The so called "working class" as we know it is shrinking and our middle class is burgeoning. Furthermore, the "Blue Collars" are the least likely to have disposable income to spend on tickets, merchandise etc. Of course, this is not to say that RL is ONLY followed by the blue collars, as that is clearly not the case. But it does have that image. I can't tell you how many times I've heard mums scoff at the way players talk and behave. Think about it, if you're a mum trying to decide on a sport for your child to play, do you go with the one with the players who can't talk and who are always in trouble? The sport that is likely to get them a scholarship at a prestigious private school or that will allow them to mingle with the upper crust? Or the sport that is not aligned with any particular class at all? To improve this, RL needs to work on its image. They shouldn't let a player within cooee of a camera or microphone until they can use correct grammar and pronunciation. They should come down hard on players who misbehave on and off the field. Perhaps even a university league would work, especially since they are looking at overhauling the development system. The dinosaurs will call it softening up the game or say "Just let em play footy. That's what they get paid for." But the game has to evolve as Australia evolves with it.