Round 1 of the NRL regular season is just over two weeks away, and rugby league debate is currently dominated by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Yet sadly, the narrative is not about the Bunnies defending their 2014 premiership, nor their tournament victory in the Auckland Nines.
Instead, all talk is about an incident that occurred late last year while the club was in Arizona for an altitude training camp.
As I’m sure everyone is aware by now, John Sutton and Luke Burgess were arrested after an altercation at a bar, however the news only came to light last week, suggesting a cover-up had taken place.
The fact that Shane Richardson was chief executive of Souths at the time of the incident, and has since been given a high-profile job at the NRL, made the story juicer and whispers of a cover-up louder.
Yet my potentially unpopular opinion on the story is that I don’t care. I honestly don’t.
I’m not completely aware of where my apathy towards this particular story originates from, but I have very little interest in whatever Sutton and Burgess did or didn’t do, and whether or not there was a cover-up.
It has been suggested to me by some people that because I am paid to write about rugby league, that I should be interested in the story; that I even have an obligation to be interested in it.
I respectfully disagree.
I am a sportswriter, not a sports journalist. There is a clear distinction between the two, the most notable being the fact that journalists deserve the respect and kudos that go hand-in-hand with attending university to learn that craft, rather than being a two-bit hack like me who can occasionally string the odd sentence together.
I am a fan first and foremost. I don’t have any obligation other than enjoying the game.
As such, I haven’t felt the need to write about what happened in Arizona, nor the subsequent fall-out. Yet even if I did feel the need, those types of off-field stories are in much better hands when journalists cover them, as opposed to fans.
In any case, that opinion is just a smokescreen for my real motivation for ignoring the story. The actual reason I haven’t written about the incident and the alleged cover-up is because I’m Harvey Norman.
As in, ‘no interest’.
Perhaps it’s fatigue from the number of similar incidents every NRL season. Perhaps, due to the Cricket World Cup and NBA, I’m not fully immersed in rugby league for 2015 just yet. Perhaps I just wish to concentrate on the actual footy on the park, not the ‘scandals’ off of it.
Whatever the reason, I simply can’t bring myself to care about this story.
If it’s a choice between reading about the Souths incident, Kyle Korver’s historic shooting season, Shane Watson’s footwork, or the impact of Brett Morris’ arrival at the Bulldogs, I choose to ignore the first option seven days a week, and twice on Sunday.
Don’t mistake this for some type of ‘holier than thou’ attitude when it comes to off-field stories though, for I wrote a piece a few weeks ago lamenting the fact Twitter wasn’t around for some of the biggest scandals in sports history. So I clearly enjoy off-field drama, occasionally.
If off-field incidents really interest you, that’s your prerogative. I certainly don’t begrudge your choice, nor judge you. To each their own. Ditto for those journalists who cover them. It is, after all, a fairly significant part of your job, so no complaints from me.
In fact, it is strange to hear people complain about these types of stories, while simultaneously seeing them in the ‘most read’ section. Clearly there is an appetite for such sports news.
It’s the same reason that for all the flak that reality TV, McDonalds, the Liberal Party, sensationalist newspapers, The Big Bang Theory and Pitbull receive: they all clearly have a ‘market’ – and fairly large ones at that.
They exist and thrive for a reason: a lot of people enjoy them. And for the most part, the public gets what the public wants, right?
When it comes to off-field NRL incidents, even though I have little interest in them at present, it appears I may be in the minority – which is certainly uncommon ground for a straight, white, middle-class male.
However, it’s a happy minority. One blissfully looking forward to Round 1 in a couple of weeks’ time.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
No sledge intended, humour is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I have a similar relationship with Mr Bean. He just doesn't make me laugh, but I get why people like it and some scenes, like the falling asleep in the church make me chuckle, but a movie? No thanks. You asked why it rates, I gave you some ideas. I believe the main actors have have negotiated to be paid a million dollars an episode. The Wolfowitz robotic arm gives a few insights into why. I liked Armageddon. Liv Tyler. Woof.
3 Hats
Guest
There was nothing in it at all. They broke curfew, the Bouncer hassled Sutton and then Luke Burgess was sticking up for his mate... this happens every Saturday night in every City in the whole World. Rothfields agenda spilling over against the Premiers again... that's all Jealousy is a curse! Ha, I look forward with baited breath when an incident involving your Bulldogs comes to fruition again,,, And it is only a matter of time! I Cant wait to see what you type Barry.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
so many valid points, and Im with Ryan on this. Speaking for myself now, guys, I like souths - A LOT. But I just dont care about this incident. Yeh they were meant to be at a high performance thing except they were sinking the fermented juice mix, and it disgusts me. I'd rather see the back of sutton, i do like inglis but think his managers a . guess they got to put a team on the feild. ability first i just dont care. I want to know who's playing this season. who gives a about arizona and what happened there. the dude got satisfaction. its a hop skip and a jump down to texas. satisfaction was acheived. The story about arizona however does provide for me no satisfaction. and the media is brain dead on this
Jay C
Roar Guru
Google defines an expert as; a person who is very knowledgeable about or skilful in a particular area. And a guru as; an influential teacher or popular expert. So we're really just experts that people like.....
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Brilliant!
Claude
Guest
Another RL atrocity swept under the carpet...Richo is blessed...
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Writer, not journo. Let's give someone who went to uni to hone their craft the respect they deserve. And don't worry, I've only written one A-League story in my life!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Hey!
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I suggest you expand you're thinking.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
If you still think this piece is about the 'dead horse', then you've missed the point entirely. Though that's to be expected when you don't read the article, I guess. I do find it amusing and bemusing that you can have a point-of-view on a point-of-view you didn't read?! You have no interest in a piece that's about having no interest? What is this, Inception?!
Elma Dudd
Guest
You've certainly created a lot of interest by flogging this dead horse Ryan.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ryan - that's exactly what I expect from and love about the roar.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Benedict - that's really insightful. Sorry for the delay in responding I've been distracted. I've been working on the theory that the IU was set up to ensure consistency and transparency. Since it's been formed nothing has changed other than a layer of official sanction has been added. The only problem is that is as far from good governance as you can get, which Dave Smith has promised since day one. Really if that's their purpose they may as well disband the IU now. The NRL doesn't need to be seen to be complicit in this rubbish.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I just need to pull you up on one thing there: I never said it was 'pointless' or 'boring'. I'm not 100% sure where my lack of interest in the story comes from, but I certainly don't think it's because it's pointless. And though I mentioned I may be fatigued from these types of stories, I think 'boring' is a slightly more subjective call than I'd be willing to make. Astute readers will know my exact motivation for writing this piece has been achieved: conversation has been stimulated and I've seen different viewpoints to mine raised. Some people think that means 'generating lots of comments'. It doesn't, and that's a narrow perspective. Though I still struggle to be fully engaged in this particular story, I have a better understanding of it's enormity and why some people are very interested in it. A lot of people put sh*t on this site for the simple reason that other people don't agree with their opinion, but for me that's the beauty of The Roar. I try not to enter any debate unless I'm willing to change my own opinion - otherwise, what's the point? That's not a debate at all. I sometimes naively expect others to do the same. The truth is, there are nuances to every story, and nuances to every opinion. Or there should be. I enjoy throwing an opinion out there - while still ensuring it's one I believe - and then seeing what people think. This piece, which may have appeared as if it was really about nothing, has done that. And I'm thankful to Roarers like The Barry and others for having opposing views, and expressing them. It makes for good banter, and sometimes even enlightenment.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
He was due a slight regression to the mean. The Hawks will be glad it came in a 3 point competition rather than the real stuff!
The Barry
Roar Guru
And don't whinge about people going on the attack...you systematically went through here yesterday afternoon and replied to every post I'd written one after the other.
Jay C
Roar Guru
You seem desperate to convince us that 1 and 1 are 3 Slarti but I just don't see it. If it walks like a duck.... The American courts are a funny one as well. The person assaulted needs to press charges or the cops just pretend it didn't happen. They do this so the wealthy don't have to go to jail. It's a clever strategy to make sure the poor stay that way. What we know is they were arrested, they were accused of assault, some money exchanged hands and they were no longer accused. I'm not a detective but I'm quietly confident the answer is 2 ducks.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Love your work.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I love this... "I've been trying to make people understand..." You've been raving about Martians and bananas and weird stories about drunks that are spitting on bouncers and driving cars killing people but are actually having a stroke. Everyone understands your point it's just that it's fatuous, incorrect and borderline incoherent. Laws aren't broken until determined by a court?!?! It's the sort of thing you'd correct a 5th grader for saying... "It's clear people will believe want they want to believe." Mate - the fact that Burgess and Sutton assaulted staff and were arrested isn't in dispute by anyone other than you. You're the one believing what you want to believe. Souths have already punished both players. You are inventing all this stuff about people loving gossip. Get it through your head people that are interested in this aren't interested in the gossip side of it, they're interested in souths poor handling of the matter and NRL processes designed to prevent this from happening falling over. The impact of how this is handled impacts every club. There's a complete lack of governance from souths and the NRL. Corporate governance was the main thing David smith promised when he got the top job. This isn't about gossip. This concept is fundamental to running a successful business. You're mocking me for believing everything I read but I've read and listened to reports from a variety of sources. I've seen footage of the aftermath. I'm making my own informed opinion based on the evidence in front of me. You're trying to tell everyone it didn't happen and that assault isn't a major incident and that it was really a banana or an alien. But the point you miss time and time again is that it's not even the incident that is the most important part of this it's the inappropriate response from souths and the NRL. Then to finish off with this sanctimonious "I give up, I've tried to make them understand" garbage....wow. Hallelujah, holy s**t, where's the Tylenol.
Slartibartfast
Guest
Tend to agree with you Ryan I have been trying to make people understand how pointless and boring it is. Have been arguing about what some people perceive to be true and what might actually be true but to no avail. People don't care about that stuff. It seems people love the gossip and scandal and drama more than the game itself and the bigger the scandal the more they get out of it and the more they go on the attack. I think your not caring about it is the right way to go about this. I too have given up. I just want the on field sport not the off field politics. It seems people no longer can think for themselves they need newspapers to tell em what to think. Sure they have a right to their opinions as we all do. One thing is sure, Whatever the NRL do regardless they can't please everyone and the attacks will start all over again. I hope they can get to place where we don't have to hear about every incident players do and they do take a lot of this away from the media limelight. More on the actual game and less about the politics surrounding the game. It's all become quite boring. It's clear People will believe what they want to believe or at least what the media tells them to. The Arizona thing will pass another will take its place.