How is a match fixed? Who are the villains? Is my club immune? Is there an end in sight?
Sadly, the answers to soul-searching questions like these may never surface. But for NRL fans, the mere humiliation of having to ask might be just as painful as naming the guilty.
For what’s worse, knowing your team is poisoned by match fixers or suffocating amid the rumours of match-fixing’s evil grip?
For supporters, the legitimacy of a playing group is everything. If clouded, visions of success make way for microscopic scrutiny of the suspects.
Is there an aversion to physical contact surrounded by uncharacteristic mistakes? Is there evidence of an emotional disconnect? Prolonged examples tarnish the elation of victory and spread innuendo like wildfire in times of defeat.
Mike Colman in the Sunday Telegraph recalled a conversation he had with David Gallop several years ago where the then NRL CEO explained match-fixing as the one thing the game could not survive.
“If people feel that our game is crooked, that the result is not pure, they will walk away and never come back,” he said.
Walk away?
Imagine that! Swapping lifelong colours for those of a foreign code or heaven forbid, cracking it headlong into a sporting sunset.
Rugby league has lost fans in the past only to welcome them back in better times.
Super League was the first shake-up in my time. Many turned their back on the game or took a back seat monitoring results from afar.
I recall the ugly fallouts but welcomed the game’s extended coverage and as a Manly fan thanked the ARL for not copying Super League’s pastel coloured strips.
Many bitter fans relaxed their stance after reunification. By kick-off to the 2000 season, I’d all but shifted my allegiance to disgruntled rugby league neutral.
Along with the Bears, the Sea Eagles had played their last. The sight of Manly favourite Geoff Toovey leading the merged outfit onto NorthPower Stadium finally convinced me to accept the splash of red and black that was part of the Northern Eagles joint venture.
A fair slice of luck kept me in the mix. Had the boot been on the other foot and Norths taken control in 2003 I doubt I could’ve held on.
If ever a group of fans needed a reason to pack up and walk it’s the Rabbitohs. And that’s exactly what happened when they were axed; only they marched en masse through the heart of Sydney and straight back into the fold.
Rugby league’s resilience led by faithful fans is legendary. Without them, both Melbourne and Cronulla’s rebound from recent scandal wouldn’t have been as swift.
Heartbroken Eels supporters will also find a way through this season’s turmoil.
Traditionally, once right from wrong is defined and the guilty removed it doesn’t take long for the wounds to heal.
Match-fixing though is a totally different beast. One wrong let alone multiple are yet to be proven and until so, alleged conspirators will also be a figment of the imagination.
Without findings either way, the rumours are unlikely to subside. And like most rugby league stories, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
I often wonder if previous player punishments for small time betting are just the edge of a puzzle still missing its biggest piece.
The most harrowing story for me is the demise of former Manly cult hero David Williams. After finishing atop the 2013 try-scoring list the Wolfman apparently went AWOL after a forgettable performance in Manly’s grand final loss to the Roosters.
The winger returned in 2014 down on form and predominantly in the NSW Cup. His charismatic presence replaced by a lost and distracted soul.
The source of his grief surfaced with a season-ending suspension in July 2014 following an admission to betting on NRL matches across three seasons. The glory days never returned and the Wolfman retired in 2015 almost without recognition.
With Williams in mind, thoughts on the two suspicious Manly games in 2015 (note: Williams did not play in either game) naturally wander to greater depths and bigger sharks.
What could be more gut-wrenching than learning members of your favourite team have been smugly counting rewards amid the despair of beaten teammates and supporters?
Most would like to believe the Sea Eagles are guilt free. But without undeniable proof, the more sinister speculation looms as the NRL’s biggest threat.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
"They have no idea that only the love for our clubs keeps us engaged" Rate that Muzz, gave me chills!! A significant point and despite the fight for dollars one that should be considered before eradicating Sydney clubs.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Interesting comments. I share the frustrations listed but prefer to consider it evolution. The game has come along in leaps and bounds over the last 25 years with it's fair share of critics along the way. We are nearing another fork in the road and our frustrated rants are part of pushing the game down the correct route. Apart from match-fixing, I see the biggest threat coming from concusion and impact related injuries. I'm glad to be alive now, the prospect of tackle league in 100 years is low.
Muzz
Guest
Even match fixing is up for interpretation. A player will be rubbed out for life if found guilty yet the NRL manipulates results/the ladder and decides who will feature at the big dance for the betterment of the game/their bottom line and to please the major stake holders. They're out of touch with the average fan! They have no idea that only the love for our clubs keeps us engaged.
Midfielder
Guest
Mate Football is full of issues ... arguably along with cricket the most corrupt ... that does not change the gist of your thread.. I won't bore with details but simply the SL war and rule changes from when I played changed the game as I knew it ... and although I have never lost interest RL has never been my number one sport since... Post script I played as a half in the 4 tackle rule, and at that time only two subs allowed before half time, during the four tackle rule they allowed the two subs to be replaced in the second half... 5 yard rule which was not often kept... most would describe me of a small slight build and I doubt people of my build could play today ... and thats a part of the reason as well...
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
steve b - The tv deal and ratings show the NRL is increasing in popularity, although agree the constant image issues are slowing the growth. Not sure how it works but then I don't know why Sydney house prices continue to rise in a struggling economy. Greenberg has his hands full and needs the full support of the police.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Cheers mate. All part of the confusion that is rugby league.
John
Guest
This would go a long way to explain Loz and Fulton's selection process....
dogforlife
Guest
I wasn't implying the refs necessarily have to be on the take, job security could play a part. Now where is my tin foil hat again. Good read regardless Jason.
Agent11
Guest
you make some valid points. The game needs to change its marketing a bit and take some risks. I would have liked to have seen it move away from channel 9, the 9 format has become stale and outdated despite the female hosts. But I feel the NRL continually gets picked on by the media cause its an easy target and they know many RL fans seem to eat up any negative stories. Would like to see a CEO who doesn't just blindly try and please the media and bow down to the pressure all the time, which is what Gallop did.
Ron Jeremy
Guest
Great post. Couldn't agree more turbo. Alas, I fear this insularity and resulting incompetence will be the slow death of the game. There's no doubt it's held NRL back from what it could potentially be, especially in NSW. Most NRL clubs are run by ex players or their groupies. Compare this to the AFL where most clubs/boards are business people, skilled in running and promoting a business rather than promoting their own personal interests. The blue collar chip on the shoulder is so true. Kinda the reverse to the snobbery you see in rugby union I reckon, again especially in NSW (and I follow both games). Ron.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Dogforlife - thanks for your comments. Maybe I'm in denial but I can't imagine refs on the take despite the 1963 grand final allegations. Having said that, it would be interesting to see 1st half v 2nd half penalty stats over an extended period.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Cheers fnq boy. Those Cowboys crowds in the early days were massive - from memory they were constantly well above todays numbers. I'm not a punter myself but I was listening to Richard Feedman comparing the structure of gambling in the footy codes to racing. Basically footy has grabbed the cash without enforcing the strict protocols racing has spent years developing - hence, exposed. Saints v Wests 1963 grand final, referee Darcy Lawler. This came up a few weeks back in another article. MAX (commented above) was at the ground that day. Just don't ask him if he likes watching footy at the SCG :)
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Agent11, rugby league has an issue. Administrators are white collar...for a blue collar game. Blue collar people bristle at being told what to do by white collar types. Blue collar types have a chip on their shoulder. This is why the rugby league community only trusts former players - for some reason they can do no wrong. Don't like the NRL judiciary?! Put ex 1st graders in charge. Result? Groin stomps are OK. Rugby league has good points...but the bad points are drugs, grog, gambling, off field behaviour, neck tatts. We need a Steve Jobs to make the NRL the best rugby comp in the world - its doable! We just need to focus on quality and try to broaden the appeal into the middle class even more. Ideally make it a class-free sport like the AFL is. No more KFC :)
fnq boy
Guest
Some interesting points there Jason. And I really enjoyed the super league, mind you as a cowboys fan out of all of that all we got was a Dad's Army type team, but I will save that gripe for another time. If I can add one thing, there are a lot of people up in arms about gambling companies now involved in the game, and other sports too. However, I think they are a necessary evil. By having the gambling companies betting trends easily traceable, if there is something suspicious going on it will can be quickly located. One only has to google John Elias'book and a certain match in 1994 how easy a fix could be arranged under the table. And at the risk of outraging Dragons fans, I do remember reading about the ref in the 1963 final perhaps being on the take.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks for your generous feedback Midfielder. I found the 2 year SL war destabilizing but enjoyable once the comp kicked off. I still had the same passion for my team in the ARL and was intrigued by the rule changes and new teams in the SL comp. While the World Club Series featured plenty of one sided results it was refreshing to see the English clubs on a regular basis. Origin took the biggest hit during the mid 90s. Are you up to speed with the Italian football fixing saga from a few years ago? I can't recall the outcome and if fans dropped their bundle.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Ha. Took me a few reads - nice gag.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Plenty of merit in your idea Max. Players lining up before training for tests at several stations including drug/alcohol and lie detection. Catch-22 though - polygraph accuracy probably aligned to elevated alcohol readings. Perhaps a Mad Monday mandatory!!
clipper
Guest
Good to see someone with an interest in Fencing
Agent11
Guest
The game has no leadership, its strategy is to sell out to the highest bidder and keep the broadcasters and media stakeholders happy at all times. David Smith looked like he may take this game in the right direction but he was ousted for David Gallop version 2.
AlanKC
Guest
I lost interest after the Super League wars too (with the exception of SOO) but had my interest rekindled by a stint working in Townsville and marvelling at the support for the Cows - love 'em dearly still - but agree with Gallop's suggestion that match fixing, if proven, will kill the game, for me at least. No-one (very few) has any issue with players maximising their earnings during a relatively limited playing career. As far as I'm concerned they have the right to earn as much as they can from their talent - legitimately.