If the NRL are serious about the strength of the competition and are over the obsession with securing Sydney, everything should be done to send Daly Cherry-Evans to the Gold Coast Titans.
Is it true that the recent rumours have all come about because of Nate Myles negotiations? Sounds like something from the movie BASEketball.
The NRL should do everything it can to ensure both players are running around Skilled Park next year. The Titans aren’t that far off being a great side and Myles and Cherry-Evans together would have a positive influence for the Titans and rugby league on the Gold Coast.
When has a genuine star signed with a club outside of Sydney – namely Souths, Roosters, Manly and the Bulldogs – in the last 10 years? The media seem to care more about whether Leichhardt Oval will still get a couple of home games a year rather than whether the teams that pay far more for travel arrangements need anything.
Targeting new rugby league supporters seems like it is strictly limited to just talking about it. The Roosters and Souths have so much political and financial clout that some others in the area are fighting for scraps, and such is life. I’m not pushing for expansion, I’m pushing for the promotion of success in clubs outside Sydney that will draw in fresh fans and maximise growth whenever expansion does happen.
The war chest should be used to keep and attract players to clubs with the best prospect for growth in the game and to those without third party advantages. The Broncos, Souths and Roosters should never be allowed anywhere near it. If Roger Tuivasa-Sheck stays at the Roosters the third party situation will need to changed immediately.
Blake Ferguson should have had to return to the NRL with a club that could use a star. Canberra certainly could have done with his services but they did the right thing by the NRL. Now Roosters chairman Nick Politis is seen as a genius for getting him at a bargain.
If the NRL acknowledges that to successfully strengthen the code, it needs to create a situation that promotes maximum long-term growth for the whole code. This means increasing local league competitions in areas where the code isn’t ingrained. To do this Sydney’s talent hoarding needs to stop.
Figures such as Politis, Gus Gould and James Packer must have their influence nullified. A comp where the bottom four sides don’t look capable of matching the top four sides commonly indicates a difference in player quality.
Taking stars to the outposts is what’s best for everyone in the long term and Ferguson and David Carney leaving Canberra only for the Roosters to gain shows just how selfish some are when they supposedly love the sport.
The times they are a changin’. Do the old guard truly care more about where the code will be in 10, 20, or 50 years time, rather than about trying to completely dominate while the NRL splutters?
Rules must come in place to ensure all talent and resources go to teams where the extra attention and promotion provide the greatest long-term return to the code (New Zealand and Western Australia). And also clubs where some success would see them reach potential with the idea of increasing their loyal following and keep kids wanting to play (Gold Coast and Canberra).
We have just seen Queensland totally dominate the State of Origin with that generation growing up with the introduction and success of the Broncos in the NSWRL. Melbourne aside, Sydney clubs have won every premiership for a long time with many teams filled with players who aren’t from NSW.
The salary cap isn’t working so the NRL should be honest and ensure we see a chance of success away from Sydney and the Broncos. Sydney teams already have a huge advantage with travel and prominence in the media. Let’s see how good some clubs really are without them bullying the chips into falling their way. Will they whinge or relish the challenge?
Irritated By Stupidity
Guest
Most of those players came from sides that weren't in Sydney. And Tom-Leahroyd Lahs is definately no longer a star.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Scoop - Sydney clubs have signed 5 players over the past 5 years... Wow - case closed.
Niall
Roar Pro
'Sydney clubs have won every premiership for a long time with many teams filled with players who aren’t from NSW.' 2014 South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs 2013 Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles 2012 Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs 2011 Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors 2010 St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters 2009 Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels 2008 Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm 2007 Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles 2006 Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm 2005 Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys 6 of the last 10 premierships won by Sydney clubs, though the Dragons are based in Wollongong. Hardly every premiership for a long time. I agree the salary cap needs to be reformed in some way, shape or form so Bulldogs, Broncos, Roosters and Souths don't hoover up all the talent. I'm a Bulldogs fan but would love to see Israel Folau or Greg Inglis start a new era of superstars at Canberra or help kick start a Perth franchise. The Titans have been mismanaged and made some poor buys and extensions for big money. I also agree that the Sydney clubs do have an advantage over other clubs. Sydney is the biggest city in Australia and offers a great amount away from the game. However, some of the biggest stars of this century have never played for a Sydney clubs.
pat malone
Guest
ok because Canberra and Gold Coast have been terribly run and manged everyone else should do them favours? the salary cap has worked with no one repeating in 20 years and clubs going ni and out of the 8. Manly look like they are heading for a well over due time in the cellar, the roosters have missed the 8 for 4 of the last 8 years, Souths have only come good in the last 4 years, the dogs have had some lean years as have the dragons. the titans have had Myles, Ash Harrison, Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Luke Bailey and Luke Douglas in their forward pack recently, maybe they spent too much on luring Scott Prince away from Sydney and have paid the price? the salary cap levels the playing field but you are insisting on communism
fiddlesticks
Guest
NZ have signed Ryan hoffman, RTS and Sam Tomkins of late
fiddlesticks
Guest
you do realise that Feguson left a sydney team (cronulla) to go to the raiders? i would suggest getting out of queensland once in your life time
peeeko
Roar Guru
you really have a huge issue with Sydney and NSW it seems. if anything Brisbane have the biggest advantage and influence in the comp. the NZ warriors have mad some big signings of late and <Melbourne have been owned by News Corp for most of their history with an open cheque book making huge losses. The NRL should be doing favours to the Gold Coast? why because they have been managed poorly?
The Barry
Roar Guru
What does that mean?
Baz
Guest
Ingles. Burgess. Jennings. Marshall. Watmough. Please......
farqueue
Guest
Since 1989 ,non Sydney teams have won 53% of the premierships while only comprising 43% of the teams, so Sydney teams clearly need help, I waited 31 years to see my dragons win, my two best mates are rabbits and tigers fans, they waited 36 years and 43 years respectively. Yeah us supporters of Sydney teams have got a big advantage, not.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Where's the evidence that teams out of Sydney need additional support? Four of the top 8 are non-Sydney teams. Three of the next five teams are from outside Sydney. Sydney teams occupy the bottom three spots on the ladder. The Gold Coast might be struggling financially but there's limited evidence that teams outside of Sydney need more support. There are challenges for clubs outside of Sydney but there are also advantages. There are challenges that Sydney teams face that non-Sydney teams don't have to worry about. When was the last time a star signed for a non-Sydney club? Adam Blair, Darius Boyd, Anthony Milford Ben Hannant Tariq Sims Frank-Paul Nu'uausala, Josh Hodgson, Sia Soliola, Sisa Waqa Dale Finucane, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Ryan Hoffman Josh Hoffman ...all signed with non-Sydney clubs THIS YEAR. You're probably going to tell me they're not stars...but they're all either Origin / Test players or talented emerging players like Sims, Milford, Finucane.
Chui
Guest
Just as a matter of interest, which stars have signed with Manly in the last ten years?
Kirk
Guest
I see what you are saying but it's not like the Cowboys and Warriors have lacked talent in recent years. The Cowboys have been among the favorites to win the premiership for the last 5 or so seasons. The Gold Coast have been strugglers recently but I don't think this can be put down to them unable to attract talent. In fact I would say the only clubs that have been disadvantaged by the salary cap are the Raiders and Knights, these are really the only clubs that can't attract star players. You could also add the Panthers who have never been able to attract star players either and they are a Sydney club.