The refusal by the NRL to acknowledge the concerns raised by the Rugby League Players Association would seem to suggest that they have more pressing issues that need to be dealt with.
Some of rugby league’s elite players such as Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston are the spokesmen for our game. For them to voice their concerns, it shows how important the issues regarding player welfare, annual leave and retirement are to them.
If, as reported, these issues were raised back at the start of the season why hasn’t the NRL acted and resolved them?
If the NRL has a duty of care to ensure that player welfare is paramount why is it then that the demands that are being placed on the players is increasing year after year?
There is the threat that players will boycott the game’s night of nights, which would be a terrible look for the NRL.
The NRL only has to look at the increased number of serious injuries that are occurring to realise that the stress and fatigue placed on the players is increasing. This is in no small part due to the schedule that sees them start pre-season training in November and culminates with eight teams playing in the finals series in September and two teams in the grand final on the first weekend in October.
That does not even take into account international commitments, increasing the strain on the game’s best players.
Until the NRL is far more transparent to the players, clubs and fans and takes player demands more seriously, then the perception that it’s all about revenue and TV rights will only continue.
It is time for the NRL to listen to those who we turn up to see each week.
Niall
Guest
Rugby League players are not in the army though. The pre-season battering is counter-productive.
At work
Roar Rookie
Agreed, if they don't like the conditions in the NRL they can go play in the Super League, oh wait... That's right, the Super League play more mid weeks games with less rest than we offer here in Aus
Stevo
Guest
If the players don't like their pay and conditions they can always retire and get a real job like most of the population. I'm so sick of over paid footballers crying about how tough things are for them to play one game a week. Boo friggin hoo.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I understood that there had been a study conducted into injuries of NRL's players and the results were published. I may be wrong as this memory of mine gets a flogging each weekend. I also understood the players on the fringes of first grade are due for a considerable pay increase. How else to have more depth on a clubs roster? These younger guys are having to work full time jobs and try to fit in the training required to increase their skills. It's bloody difficult to achieve so the more money spent the better.
Hosea
Roar Pro
Where did I specify crowd attendance? More games would mean more tv revenue as well right?
Jimmmy
Guest
I think the players have some genuine concerns. Professional RL is an incredibly tough sport. Having eight weeks off between seasons does not seem excessive .to me and I think getting rid of the five days turn around is also a good thing. These guys get smashed in a lot of games. My body would need 6 months between games to recover. The thing I don't like are talks of bans or boycotts etc. this is always counter-productive. They put fans and sponsors off side and are against player interests in the long term. Negotiate with Smith. He is a business man . That's what he has spent his life doing. Players may not get everything they want, but I am sure the NRL will give some ground.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I know a few, some current, most retired. It’s no worse than army boot camp, except you are getting paid way more and aren’t being sent to war. Those retired don’t see it as unnecessary, they understand the purpose of it
Numbers Man
Guest
Can of Worms
At work
Roar Rookie
That's true - Take away the phenomenal AFL crowds and the NRL don’t look too bad. If you look at the majority of the European football leagues, their averages aren’t any bigger than the NRL: http://soccerlens.com/the-top-15-leagues-in-europe/39185/ That would put the NRL in 7th spot
jamesb
Guest
I think for Thurston and Smith, they want those demands to be included ASAP. When the next tv deal commences, both would've retired. As for your question, I have no idea.
Niall
Guest
Does anybody know any top class rugby league players? If so, ask them about the unnecessary physical and mental flogging that they undertake every pre-season.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
And why weren't they included in the current CBA, or wait to have them included in the next CBA?
jamesb
Guest
I think the current NRL admin has done more for player welfare then any other past administrations. A couple of examples are the banning of the shoulder charge and introduction of concussion policy. Also in the new TV deal, there will be an origin match played on a Sunday. I would like to see players other then Thurston and Smith have an opinion on this subject. Also why didn't the RLPA raised these issues when the current tv deal commenced three years ago, especially around the issue of the five day turnarounds. Don't they realise that the broadcasters set the draw, not the NRL.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I'd take Cameron Smith's comments with a grain of salt. He's a greedy little so and so. Have injuries risen? Do you have stats to back that up? What type of injuries have risen? Are they result of fatigue, poor/mis diagnosis, poor recovery, poor treatment, accident? is it variance? Do you blame the NRL and ignore the clubs and coaches for poor roster management? How about clubs assist the NRL in the study of effects of the game and release their GPS data to the NRL? For some stupid reason they all refuse to.
pat malone
Guest
please explain to me the so called rise in injuries? do you have any stats? or just baseless claims. players are bet looked after and recuperated and play less games than ever before. Careers are much longer than ever before. 18 of the top 20 games played asre by modern players as they play more seasons as they are better looked after than in the old days
peeeko
Roar Guru
abhorrent - you wmight want to check the NRL crowds when compared to similar size countries in football leagues all around the world as for the TV rights - the more games on TV the more money the players get. .admins are doing as much as possible to make the salary cap as big as possible for players.
RT
Guest
Frankly players are disorganised rabble. The risks they accept for the rewards they get would be an unacceptable risk in any other industry. If your average player makes say $150k per year that simply isn't enough for the chance of injury. Miners get more and their safety is paramount.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The main revenue that the NRL gets is from their TV rights and most certainly NOT FROM CROWD ATTENDANCE! lol The crowds in the NRL are despicable and abhorrent when you look at the ADL and even Soccer. The NRL don't give a s**t about the welfare of the players, these so called treasurers and administrators at the NRL head office are like the nouveau riche, counting the dollars but forgetting about the cents and that is what is going to bring them undone!
Mike Dugg
Roar Rookie
Players should boycott the finals
Mick the clown
Guest
If the players are serious in their claims they will not be represented by the RLPA. The RLPA currently is funded by the NRL. It needs to be disbanded and the salary cap increased by the funding going to rlpa. This would enable the players independent representation. Currently Newton and co will not push the NRL too hard as the rlpa funding is given direct by the nrl. To date we have a bunch of sound bites. I am yet to see in black and white what the "players" want? A cap on number of games? Does this mean Thurston and smith won't back up from origin or don't want to be selected for Australia because they've already reached their quota? They want a shorter season because of rep games and finals? This then screws the journeyman who will only ever play for his club as it decreases the number of games he plays. Notice the superstars have no support from their non superstar colleagues? What do they actually want? Answer is ultimately one of self interest and more money but will be dressed up as "player welfare"