Manly are demanding an explanation over the 2016 NRL premiership draw, adamant it will place their players’ safety in jeopardy.
The Sea Eagles claim four five-day turnarounds in the opening nine rounds of the competition are “dangerous and unacceptable”.
Of particular concern is a run of three matches in 10 days against heavyweights Cronulla, the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney.
CEO Joe Kelly has written to NRL head of football Todd Greenberg urging a meeting over the issue and detailing the club’s grievances.
“At the moment, we are concerned with an adverse reaction to the draw from our members and we are fully supportive of the view they are expressing,” Kelly said in the missive.
“I can assure them we will be taking up those issues when management gets an opportunity to meet with the NRL face to face.”
Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett has also singled out Greenberg for an explanation and says the welfare concerns are supported by club medical and fitness staff.
“This club and its players and supporters thrive on adversity but the game is tough enough without having serious player welfare issues put in front of us,” Barrett said in a statement issued on Saturday.
“Some clubs have extra hurdles placed in front of them and other clubs have none.
“This has to be addressed now – not after a player is seriously affected by the unrealistic workload placed upon them by virtue of a draw which smacks of dramatic inconsistency.”
Manly’s chief medical officer, Dr Luke Inman, warned that shortened recovery time raised the spectre of cumulative muscle damage.
“What we can say is that with heavy loads and inadequate recovery, there is an increase in injury risk. Independent of the muscle damage scores, the injury risk is increased up to three-four weeks following the period of increased exertion,” he said.
Dr Inman said he was also worried the clubs most affected by five-day back-ups would have key players missing in the period because of concussion issues.
Players’ Association president Clint Newton also joined with Manly in highlighting the draw’s safety implications.
“Manly’s 2016 schedule highlights the issues we have raised regarding five-day breaks and the cumulative impact this will have on the players from a performance perspective, together with their health and wellbeing throughout the season,” he said.
On Friday, ARL commission chairman John Grant said the league was working towards a more-equitable draw and was sensitive to player welfare.
“In setting up the draw in 2016, in what is a transition year, our objective is to not have any more five-day turnarounds than what there is in this current year.
“In 2017, we’re targeting a reduction of 30-plus per cent in the number of five-day turnarounds,” Grant said.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah and then Manly could maybe also find their own way to fund a club rather than accepting the NRL's grant at the start of the year..... I suggest they simply invest in some concrete.
pete bloor
Guest
I think that would have some pretty serious ramifications for Manly. I'd imagine their own contractual agreement with the NRL/ARLC would have something compelling them to field a team if it is possible so they may forfeit all or part of their club grant.
Haz
Guest
One option would just be to forfeit a match. Rather than a potential loss and risk injury, forfeit the middle game in the 10-day run, lose the two points, and make the broadcasters pay attention. It sounds ridiculous, but think about it. The threat of losing one game would make the broadcasters sit up and take note and force the NRL to reconsider the draw. The NRL would be unable to meet it's contractual obligations. The club could take high moral ground and talk about player safety. It'd be backed by the RLPA.
marco
Guest
Once again the Broncos get a gift of a favourable draw. How can the powers that be sleep at night with rigging the draw in their favour. This happens every year and you can understand why other clubs and their supporters get pissed off.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Not a Manly fan never have been, but it's an injustice the Bronco's get the same gun run along the rail's season in season out. How they got a start as a Loser of the 2016, facing play off teams 13 times was summed up with this "however" comment, 'While they will have the benefits of regular turnarounds from Thursday and Friday nights'. To hell with the Friday night ratings, a level playing field needs to be sorted. How many sides do the Bronco's face in season 2016 with 'level' turnaround times between games??
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Silvertails? Sorry, it's the year 2015. What does Manly never giving a stuff about player welfare if another club got a tough draw have to do with the veracity of the argument?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I like Mr Woodward's plan, not often are genuine solutions aired and I applaud you. I also want to see a balanced comp' and with what Manly have copped I can't see any fairness.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm no manly fan but I struggle to believe that people are calling them whingers for raising this. There's clear objective inequity between how different teams are treated within the draw. That's not whinging. "They recruited poorly. They shouldn't play their best team every week. Rotate players" If every team had the same number of five say turnarounds then fine that's the paradigm and clubs need to plan around it. But why should manly (or anyone else) have to field weakened teams when their opponents do not because of inequities of the draw. The NRL was very clear that they were going to cut five day turnarounds right back. Now one club has four in nine rounds. I don't particularly want to see manly succeed but I want to see a fair comp and I want them to have an equal chance at success.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The horse has bolted so no pointed in complaining and threatening to go on strike. Like all Player Managers reps, the NRL think they are toothless tigers and they treat them (and the players) accordingly to ensure they have maximum TV viewers. Something more important than TV viewers is the quality of the game and for the last few years now all clubs have suffered attrition as we approach the semis. RL is not the greatest game of all but it is probably the toughest and 5 day turnarounds is crazy. Four Storm players will have a 2 day turn around after Origin. Did I say its crazy? It's crazy! The solution? Any team that has a 5 day turnaround should be granted unlimited bench exchanges along with the team they are playing. That is a win/win/ It solves the back up problem and allows the team fresh players. Easy!
Doug Graves
Guest
Typical Silvertails. Biggest hypocrites in the game, always whinging when they don't get everything to their liking. Manly never have and never would give a stuff about player welfare if another club got a tough draw. Hopefully the NRL doesn't give in and Manly learn to harden up.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yea exactly. Manly recruited poorly.
Parrafan
Guest
Well if you blokes have the same run of injuries in 2016 as you did in 2015 i'm not sure you would be able to field 17 without breaching 2nd tier. Friendly warning from someone who's team has been in the same position. No need to get your knickers in a knot.
Parrafan
Guest
As I mentioned earlier Manly have recruited a good 13 but not much beyond that. Manly also finish the season with 7 games in Sydney, Take the good with the bad.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or the coaching staff could rotate their played instead of aiming to play their best 17 every single week. Slight rotation week to week will keep players fresh.
Russ
Guest
"It’s interesting that some people simply jump on the Manly whinging mantra." This is something Manners have earned over time but as I said they're not the only ones and it is a matter of practicing what you preach. I think they have a point but they also need to ensure players aren't out on the field when they shouldn't be over a season and then I would have more sympathy! This would include all NRL and SL clubs not just the Sea Beagles.
Russ
Guest
Nothing wrong with a bit of highbrow, now and again, nopuritan! Manly have a history but they're not the only moaners. I'd have more sympathy if coaches and players didn't play through injury and then need surgery at the end of a season! Player wefare is what it says on the tin and not something you can dip in and out of when you feel like!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Just run out a weak team for a couple of the FTA games.. would show the ridiculous nature of the draw better than any commentary.
Tom Oakley
Guest
Grow up Manly
Samtwocan
Guest
Manly should be forced to play games blind folded and with one arm tied behind their backs .....then they'd have something to whine about .. And the Roosters should play ever game at Alliance with at least seven days between each game .
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
Totally agree. Manly should have a whinge about this, they have been hard done by. Once again the Bronco's are favoured with Friday night games, no five day turnarounds, Why is so hard to even up the draw?