The NRL has often been accused of not looking at the ‘big picture’, or the greater good of the game. The NRL’s ‘vision’ – or lack thereof – has received criticism, and the organisation has been labelled everything from reactive to stagnant.
I’m not in a position to comment on whether those criticisms carry serious merit, however, when I look at one of the NRL‘s biggest competitors – the AFL – one can’t help but be envious of the way it has a clear ambition for its game, and ruthlessly adheres to that plan.
Eradicating suburban grounds in Melbourne, aggressive expansion with new clubs, strong grassroots development, its own media department, a 24/7 pay TV channel, and ensuring high profile players are based in regions that are important to the code’s profile, are all just some of the examples that prove the AFL has a strategy in place to ensure it’s long-term growth and success.
The AFL makes decisions through the lens of what’s right for the entire game, not just individual clubs. The by-product being that the majority of stakeholders involved in the sport will ideally be better off in the long run from the development decisions the governing body makes.
From a player perspective, the AFL played a role in getting Buddy Franklin to Sydney, Israel Folau to Western Sydney, along with Karmichael Hunt and Gary Ablett Jr to the Gold Coast, because it believed said moves would holistically benefit the AFL.
It’s with that understanding that I therefore proclaim that I actually hope the NRL did help get superstar Daly Cherry-Evans to the Gold Coast Titans, as announced last Friday night.
For the uninitiated, the Titans were recently placed in voluntary administration by its board, after it admitted the club could no longer meet its financial obligations, including employee salaries.
The NRL stepped in, terminated the club’s license, and took over the running of the franchise.
That ensured that when the news broke that the club had signed Cherry-Evans to a four year, $4 million contract, it was met with dismay in some quarters, with accusations the NRL had orchestrated the deal.
When it comes to accusations, that’s on par with accusing Johnathan Thurston of being a good player. If the NRL is running the club… then of course they orchestrated the deal. I’m not really sure why that would be a surprise.
Furthermore, how is it a bad thing?
Let’s be clear: any club worth it’s salt should be chasing a free agent of Cherry-Evans’ ability. I’d be more worried if a club wasn’t looking to sign him.
Considering the NRL should now be acting in the best interests of the Gold Coast Titans, signing Cherry-Evans just proves they’re astute judges of talent.
Therefore, the fact the NRL now runs the club is irrelevant, in my opinion.
Yet I suspect the criticism aimed at the NRL isn’t because signing Cherry-Evans is in the best interests of the Titans, but because it’s in the best interests of the NRL.
The governing body is essentially being accused of being self-serving.
Though if the NRL were acting in the best interests of itself, I actually admire them for it.
Should the Gold Coast region be deemed of vital strategic importance to rugby league and the NRL competition, and the long term viability and success of the Titans is important to the growth of the overall game, then I applaud the NRL for orchestrating a player move that may help achieve that success.
To be clear, I actually don’t think the NRL played much of a role in the Titans securing Cherry-Evans anyway. The club was already negotiating with the halfback before the NRL took over control of the franchise. I believe the only influence that the NRL had in this matter was assuring Cherry-Evans and his manager that the club wasn’t going anywhere.
However, a part of me hopes that the conspiracy theorists are right, and there is something ‘underhanded’ about the Titans securing Cherry-Evans signature, while they are under the control of the NRL.
It would be proof that the NRL has a strategic plan, and is willing to take steps to implement it.
Just like the AFL.
john badseed
Guest
Like Manly, Souths and easts are now successful clubs. Isn't it time for the NRL to start dismantling their rosters for the "good" of the Game?
E-Meter
Guest
Gods country Kirk. Yeah sure the shops all close when it's gets dark on the southside, but we don't mind. Faced with a choice between Currumbin and Cairns, I'll stick with Currumbin thanks.
Kirk
Guest
its not even close to a dump. Gold Coast just has a bad reputation due to crap like schoolies and shows like gold coast cops. But once you get a bit south of all the glitz and tackiness of Surfers. Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Kirra and Coolangatta are all very nice spots. At least far nicer than western sydney, canberra or newcastle...
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Hahah I actually agree with both of you, but I thought calling the GC a 'dump' was a bit much.
AR
Guest
In 2014, the AFL gave the 18 clubs over $216M in grants. It's important to remember that the budgeting for the Suns and Giants was done *before* the AFL signed its $1.25B broadcast deal. So in answer to your question, the money is there, and is part of a longterm strategy.
apaway
Roar Guru
He already lived near some of the best beaches in the world on the Peninsula. I really don't think being near the beach entered into his head as much as about a million other reasons.
oldtimer
Guest
Gee ya got me there, wally never won in the present comp, and it wasn't until Bennett got rid of him and bought Lazarus that the Bronco's won either, and in any case why would people in Sydney care about Wynnum or Redcliffe, cheers.
E-Meter
Guest
I'm on the southside Gold Coast and there's kids everywhere wearing Titans jerseys, plus there are a lot of Titans school bags getting around. There's also plenty of mention of the club amongst the people I talk to. May not mean much with no empirical evidence but that's just my observations. It's a watershed time for the Titans. I hope they can return strongly and sponsors eventually come back on board.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's not true though Jay. The Broncos, Knights and Gold Coast all joined the NSWRL in 1988. No, that doesn't matter any more. And yes, Queensland had a thriving RL tradition before 1988. But the fact is the Broncs joined the NSWRL in 1988.
oldtimer
Guest
But they didn't did they, instead the visionary then NSWRL expanded the game to QLD and other places in fact the present competition is made up of those teams plus Melbourne with a few merged teams. You have all got to take a deep breath and come to the realisation that because of these earlier initiatives players don't have to leave home to earn good money and kids that dream t of playing for Easts, Souths, or whatever now want to play for the Bronc's etc. I am not doubting the calibre of the QLD players or traditions, but your dreaming if you imagine that your competition was as professional or had the media appeal of the Sydney comp. I do get a little annoyed at people in QLD waffling on about what they should do in Sydney though, given that it wasn't till the eighties that the northern visionaries gave Ipswich a team in the local comp.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah but.... TPAs aren't owed money, they pay money. How is it within a week (and a pretty disruptive week at that) the Titans are a brand that sponsors want to be associated with?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Light hearted banter my old timey friend. Try not to take it to heart.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I don't agree to that.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Such is the cost of existing in the left hand column Ryan.
oldtimer
Guest
Glossing over your imagined superior knowledge on all things rugby league, you still haven't told us all the good things the titans etc have done for the game, please don't imagine that I am saying that they have done anything wrong but I wonder about the good. I didn't attack your character I simply pointed out to you that in your original post your main concern was the Bronco's, therefore I don't think you are in a position to call into question others self interest when you said, some people are way too caught up in their own team to have any concern for the greater good. You can say that makes no sense if you wish but I wouldn't have thought it was that hard to understand, we have to agree to disagree.
planko
Guest
DOW I am realist I don't care that the NRL appears to be more involved in this move than they will ever admit. I am not one of the fans that is concerned about this. I don't think any club can survive, stay under the cap and pay 2 players CIRCA a 7 figures with the current cap. I do think they have a massive say in whether the GC can trade. They need to allow the Coke 5 to play otherwise GC will be a little short on players. I think DCE is worth 2 players. Or one player and some moolah which a club in administration may need some help with ... From the NRL... Hence why I say they are involved.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Makes perfect sense to me, if all parties are willing to make that happen.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I will reciprocate these feelings in kind. Though I will attempt to be objective with my writing, I'll be throwing daggers in your eyes in my mind.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Well it's not up to the NRL to organise, that's between clubs, and as long as the transfer happens before the cut off date, there will be no problems. Gold Coast is under the salary cap now, so taking up DCE's contract wouldn't be a problem, it then allows Manly to upgrade Foran's contract immediately, and possibly then spread the pain of the upgrade out a little further. So there is a win for Manly in that they might not lose both players, but they would have to roll the dice in that Foran is happy to stay at Manly for the right money, and his decision to go to Parra wasn't about other things happening at the club.
planko
Guest
Ryan do you think the NRL will help the GC an immediate transfer ? Gee it is a tough call but Manly should probably play there best card moving forward. In FOOTBALL you trade players whilst they are still under contract to you to get a transfer fee. Whilst this does not happen in rugby league offically yet. Clubs do get induced occasionally to release. I suspect that the NRL wants Manly to do this to help "save" the GC so Manly needs to decide what they want and are the GC willing to pay the price. Personally I would going for Kane Elgey, Aidan Sezer and or Greg Bird (Provided he is given another chance). The NRL may let him play again to get Manly over the line. I am very sceptical in the NRL's position of power on this and their ability to push this through.