I have one short little hiatus from The Roar, thinking that surely nothing too major can happen in just two weeks, and instead rugby league once again explodes with massive headlines while I’m away.
I shouldn’t really be too surprised. Rugby league thrives on controversy, negative storylines and sensationalistic reporting. Why would me being overseas change any of that?
Forget the actual football on the park for a second – that’s a mere distraction from the real talking points in rugby league at present.
The Foran fiasco
Irrespective of what happens next, surely Kieran Foran would be crazy to sign with the Eels now? Even if his contract is eventually revised to a state that he is happy with, the whole saga has provided an insight into how the Parramatta club is run.
In short, badly.
Over the past week or so, much has been written about the Eels. Not just in reference to the fiasco involving Foran, but also the long history of blunders that Parramatta has made over the years. It’s all led to some impassioned Eels fans penning pieces about their growing dissatisfaction, to the point of them being completely fed up.
All in all, it surely must send alarm bells ringing in Foran’s head, and make him extremely wary of committing to a mess of a football club.
So if not Parra, then where to for the Kiwi five-eighth?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but providing they can come up with the money to satisfy him, Foran should stay with Manly.
Foran is a classy individual, and gives every indication of being a loyal, fair and honourable man. He deserves to be happy and comfortable, and at this stage of his career the Sea Eagles provide the best situation for him.
He likes the club, has a good relationship with fellow star Daly Cherry-Evans – despite their different personalities and approach to contract negotiations – and he’ll be treated with the respect he deserves.
Stay put, Kieran.
Cocaine rumours
Over the weekend, further stories surfaced about Karmichael Hunt’s drug use.
In a report obtained by the media, Hunt’s admission to police around his drug taking included the names of players with whom he has consumed cocaine with, along with the name of the person that provided Hunt with a drug dealer’s details.
Though the name was withheld, said individual was alleged to be an Australian Kangaroo and State of Origin representative. In other words, a high-profile rugby league player.
The only other detail on this mystery man was that he does not play for the Gold Coast Titans, however that’s all we know.
Yet it’s clear that the media know who this player is, so it’s only a matter of time until the name is leaked and becomes public knowledge.
In other words, get ready for another massive rugby league scandal. Which, let’s be honest, is well overdue. It’s been weeks.
State of Origin scheduling
Des Hasler and Wayne Bennett may very well be two of rugby league’s grumpiest men, but I’d also suggest they happen to posses two of the more astute minds in the game.
So when they proclaim that there is something seriously wrong with rugby league’s calendar, I think they should be listened to.
To be fair, they’re hardly stranded alone on an island together when it comes to their opinion on State of Origin scheduling. Almost everyone in rugby league agrees that the current set-up is sub-optimal, with players missing from club footy, the attention focused away from the NRL, and serious injuries starting to impact a number of teams.
Yet solving the alleged issue is the issue, for while everyone is keen to put the boot into the current scheduling there has yet to be a viable and feasible alternative – that keeps everyone happy – put forward.
I’m told that the NRL are currently reviewing the representative period, and they’re well aware that many people are far from happy with the existing schedule and its impact on the competition and the players.
I put it to Roarers to suggest their own ideas for the optimal way to integrate the State of Origin series into the rugby league calendar, remembering that no solution will be perfect.
To get the ball rolling, here’s my suggestion…
Three consecutive weeks of Origin football on Wednesday nights.
However, on the three weekends in between Origin games, there will be an assortment of football to keep the public interested in rugby league. It could look something like this:
Weekend one
The 9s tournament across three days.
Weekend two
City versus Country
Fiji versus Samoa
NSW versus Queensland Under 23s
Weekend three
New Zealand versus ‘The Best of the Rest’ of the NRL (made up of players that weren’t selected for State of Origin, or are not eligible).
I’m sure this idea has more holes than Swiss cheese, but agree, disagree or fire away with your own suggestions, Roarers.
Doug Graves
Guest
Those 3 weekends are a pretty good idea, certainly far better than what we have now. Weekend One: Great idea but maybe it could be made up of Holden Cup players as a sort of mid season tournament? Give's NRL players a mid season break and would give more exposure to Holden Cup and their players. Weekend Two: Excellent, keep as is. Weekend Three: Again great idea, NZ vs NRL Allstars maybe? Or/also we could have an Aboriginal team vs NZ Maori?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Just one little issue, Doc . . . I never said to play it on the weekend!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Renegade, I'll copy and paste from an early reply I gave: "To be honest, I debated whether to include it, but my reasoning is that the Aust vs NZ game should be played after the Origin series, with the best players from NSW and QLd being selected to play for the Kangaroos. NZ deserve a lead-in game to that match, and I figured a ‘Best of the Rest’ team may be a nice tune-up for them before they play a Kangaroos team." Yep, agreed on City vs Country - but it's already borderline useless anyway! Nice idea on the Challenge Cup though.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I think that's Mission Impossible!
Just a thought
Guest
I wouldn't wAnt to play with someone who raTs on their teaM mates to saVe his own skin .
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
( edit....dont rat out your friends Especially for personal gain)
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Peter I was taught to own your mistakes , dont make pitiful excuses for bad choices made and never sell out your friends for personal gain as opposed to Hunt who learned none of those.... Something that you and Hunt "obviously" have in common.
Dr Yes
Guest
ROC, good article. I'll bite and state the obvious (to me anyway :P ) re SOO schedule. Running it over 3 straight weekends would (a) be much tougher on the players than the current situation (b) significantly diminish the level of contest (c) reduce media impact as we hit an early saturation point, then the 3 weeks fly-by. i.e. it's impossible. Running it on the weekend would (d) reduce the viewing audience and festive feeling of a special occasion. i.e. it might be possible to run on Sat night, but it's not optimal for fan impact and commercial benefits. Running it by any schedule would (e) result in injuries plus wear-and-tear that leaves players at risk of further injuries in any matches played in the next week. i.e. a good, high-intensity series (desired) means injury/burnout (to be minimised). The only way to minimise (e) is careful player management and judicious rest. While rest can be increased by playing on Sat night - that has negative consequences stated. Rest could alternatively be increased by excluding SOO players from games on weekend before AND after - but the clubs won't like that. It's not fair to steal the top players of clubs for 6 weeks of any comp. Which brings us to the real issue... Compensation to clubs is what it's all about. The impact of Origin on clubs can be quite horrendous. How do the Sharks & Storm stomach having Gallen/Slater for less than half of each season? How do the Broncos (and the Dogs, Cowboys and Roosters) cope with missing the top 30-40% of their team each year. Gives teams of internationals like Souths a bit of an advantage. Well, in terms of optimising time-gaps and mixing up byes, the current system is pretty darn good indeed. But, in terms of aligning the benefits of SOO with the large negative impacts, it's quite bad. There are 3 big sub-problems a) SOO is a massive earner to the NRL, but a drain to the clubs supplying stars (revenue & expense quite misaligned) b) Injuries can hit clubs by about 5-10% of cap in a given year (i.e. about one AAA star - as has happenned with Hayne & Farah). c) In a cut-throat competition, where management and coach are at risk of dismissal, they have little wriggle room to cover injuries or manage player needs - such as 2nd tier cap exemptions or, indeed, writing off damage from the primary cap. So you can schedule anything, but it can't change the fact that clubs must still manage players and also cover injuries. And the only way to do that is to pay the clubs in addition to the players (say, 30k per player per game played or game injured, in both cash and cap exemption) so they can do all the self-management required. BTW, once that's done, the current setup is perfect.
Birdy
Guest
Hopefully the NRL looks at all options when the time comes, there's a lot of good ideas out there. No doubt we have a problem with the club comp during origin time and a lot of us , with longer memories, would love to see a challenge or AMCO cup come back and maybe rescue that 6 week period.
scott
Guest
Round 4 this year vs Titans, the Titans had an extra day turnaround.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hahaha. Of course there is. You need a big yard to fit 4 torana shells and your collection of flip flops.
lmm040183
Guest
Tossers. There is plenty of quality real estate in the west of Sydney.
big J
Guest
o
Paul
Roar Rookie
AJ Dean ?
Kirk
Guest
I posted a similar idea for the schedule on another article thread. During the month of June the NRL season stops for 3 weeks and we have the Origin series (3 consecutive wednesday nights) and an assortment of internationals on the weekends. You could even have a nines tournament which includes NRL, NSW cup and QLD cup sides. This could also be a tranfer window and contracts negotiation period.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Ditto Paul, I lived in Mundingburra and North Ward for three and a half years and was a regular at the Cows games. Missing one match of the entire year ain't the end of the world. Thursday night might provide opportunities for those who can't attend on Saturdays - those that work in hospitality are a prime example. Bulldog - you should be planning a half day on Thursday (sweaty palms and a fever - Ferris Bueller style) and a Friday sickie for an extra long-weekend. Just don't get caught on TV catching the ball in the stands!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Just trying to please Wayne, Des, and Bellyache, Ryan.
Paul
Roar Rookie
I used to live in Townsville and I know the geography of the area, I understand there won't be fans that can't go to the game because of the day it is played on. There would be fans in Sydney that couldn't go to a game that was held in Sydney depending on what day it is, let alone out of towners. I just don't get the whole " NSW conspiracy" thing Bulldog.
Bulldog
Guest
Paul - 3500 Cowboys members do not live in Townsville . That is about a third of the total members. Not sure how many Sydney teams have that many members in Country NSW. The Cowboys will have 3 games on either Monday or Thursday nights in Townsville so that is one quarter of the draw that people have to travel to games during the week. It is also greater distances up here. I am four hours away and probably one of the closer ones.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Why is a Cowboys game on a Thursday night any different to another club hosting the game. What about the fans who come from country NSW to watch their team play on the weekend. The Broncos have the biggest advantage with their match scheduling throughout the year than any other team in the competition. How is this any advantage to the Rabbitohs, or any other Sydney team. But hey we all love a good conspiracy theory.