The NRL’s recent decision to change the requirements in terms of when clubs announce their intended squads for upcoming matches has me a little baffled.
It appears that nothing has actually changed. Clubs must announce their 21-man squad by a certain time mid-week and then finalise their squad one hour before kick-off on game day.
Essentially things remain the same and the new regulations don’t appear to appease the concerns of the public who have grappled with clubs playing ‘ducks and drakes’ over team selection for decades.
Those concerns seem to stem from two basic sources. The first is the social NRL tipping competition; something which millions of Australians partake in and enjoy. NRL tipping is socially engaging, fun and fraught with danger in the salary cap era.
For every league aficionado who studies form and tips based on logic and mathematics, there are five tipsters who scoop the pool at seasons end with little or no knowledge of the game itself, the players involved or even the rules.
Throughout my office-centric corporate life, I have seen so-called league experts win the comp, as well as office staff who proudly proclaim to have no knowledge of the game, a colleague’s kids who tipped based on their favourite animals.
Hell, I even won a comp based on an eight-out-of-eight away team result after failing to submit my tips.
While it might be nice for all tipsters across the nation to have full disclosure of the teams well in advance of making their selections, in the big scheme of things, is a fluke in an office footy tipping comp really that big a deal and worthy of the NRL mandating specific times for team announcements?
The only other reason for public concern over the timely announcement of teams appears to be for the purposes of gambling.
Let me nail my colours to the mast and say clearly, I gamble on NRL. I also gamble on tennis, cricket, football and the AFL and a multitude of other sports when my fancy is tickled.
I express no shame. I have worked hard through my life, earn a reasonable wage and enjoy the thrill of having a little flutter.
Anyone critical of that, might reflect on the first Tuesday in November, and the millions invested on the Melbourne Cup. The obvious conclusion being, there are far more that do than don’t, when it comes to gambling in this country.
It doesn’t make it right or wrong, it is just something that some people enjoy. Whether it be poker machines, horse racing, Keno or scratchies, a flutter is part of the Australian way of life.
My local Catholic Church even has a ‘flutter club’, where people can throw in a few bucks a month with the chance to win a jackpot. Hope they aren’t using it to pay of the Church’s debt or legal bills.
Unfortunately, gambling in all its exotic and myriad forms is having the most incredibly destructive influence on Australian society. It is high time we started to think more deeply about its ramifications and the gambling industries interest in the NRL’s new regulations intensify that fact.
I am lucky enough that I can enjoy a flutter on a game on a Friday night, throw a few multis across numerous sports on the weekend and set a limit on what I am willing to spend.
I repeat, I am lucky, my mortgage keeps me in check and limits my spending. For others this is not the case. The concerns expressed by many punters in regards to the recent changes and the effect it will have on their investments is ridiculous and offensive to those who battle a gambling problem.
In light of the barrage of advertising and promotion of gambling establishments and NRL betting options, it would seem prudent, but unfortunately not profitable for the NRL, to step in and offer some protection to some of its most hard working, loyal and passionate fans.
These fans are also the most susceptible to the temptation of sports betting and the lure of a quick financial solution to the issues they may be facing.
The game is paramount. The purity of the competition is what lures people to grounds each weekend. Not the lure of a potential financial windfall.
With the advent of mobile apps, the ability to bet on sport across a variety of platforms no longer requires a person to be in attendance in order to wager, unlike the days of horse racing gone by, where bookies where the primary source.
The TAB revolutionised that industry as people were provided with the opportunity to bet ‘off course’.
Have we truly arrived at the point where NRL regulations have become influenced by betting agencies? Too right we have, and it has been happening for quite some time.
Ever wondered what the official start time for a game is. Just check a betting agencies shut off time for bets on the particular option and it will be different to the supposed start time listed in the official program.
Funny how they knew that, I wonder who told them?
The current environment sees a variety of betting agencies in sponsorship arrangements with rugby league teams, stadiums, NRL programs on network and cable television and various websites centred around the code.
It is impossible to view a telecast of an NRL match without either a washed up ex pro-footballer insulting my intelligence by pretending to understand numerical statistics or a rather glamorous young woman quoting odds on a code that she quite possibly has never watched in her life.
The gambling media ‘face’ presented by the on-screen representatives is pathetic, insulting and reflective of the enormous influence they have upon decisions made by the executive bodies charged with running multi-million dollar codes.
How these people put their head on the pillow each night, knowing that they have encouraged the vulnerable and weak to commit funds they don’t really have, to the outcome of a sporting contest, is beyond me.
When they spruik the odds and lure me in, I guess they feel chuffed and proud and if they get a hundred bucks out of me, good on ‘em.
But the damage being done to Australian society is immeasurable and to throw a cheap, ‘please gamble responsibly’ on the end of their comments is an insult to media rules and expectations.
The NRL should disband the new requirements and instruct the teams to hand their official team sheet to the opposition captain one hour before game time, as is the case with many kid’s sports, and the media can sit and wait with bated breath for the week leading up to the game.
Creating a situation where team announcements are mandated so ‘punters’ can have the most updated information is placing the sports betting aspect above that of the game itself and this is a blight on the game, the NRL and the greedy corporations who benefit.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hey Stuart - I don't disagree with your comments around the gambling culture around the game. I've posted many times about my discomfort at watching the footy with my kids to have them bombarded with gambling ads. I also think if we believe Australia has a gambling problem now, that in 10-20 years time it will be far worse. We'll have a full generation who have grown up with Rabs spruiking odds, Tom Waterhouse, Joel Caine and Jamie Rogers and talking about the game in terms of odds and starts. However (and there was always going to be an however) I don't think this change is part of that problem. I think it's done to increase transparency and reduce the likelihood of punters getting their tentacles into players for this information. I still think it has a way to go because this is currently like every team naming an eight man bench every week so I'm not sure it will be a marked improvement. It should minimise coaches naming injured players with no chance of being fit and pulling them out an hour before kick-off. Gambling does need to be put at the centre of some decision making. This is one of those areas. If the game starts changing rules to accomodate punters then yes I think we have a problem. I just don't see it here.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Have to agree, the NRL is in a slightly tedious situation in regards to gambling as well, and is obviously taking steps to prevent the Simona incidents happening. There may be others we dont know about, but there has been the Tandy incident as well. Tedious situation purely due the additional income gambling provides the NRL from people betting on the sport which is a much needed addition to the coffers. I think we are in the same chapter, but I welcome this change in team lists and dont see it as pandering to the punters club.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Yes, and very good news. The discource around the game has become too centred around gambling. That is indeed the point. Gambling is more than a factor, it is the cause. The relationship between the NRL and the agencies appears to conflict the actual contest whereby the odds around a game become more relevent that the contest itself. It is as though, the League have finally acknowledged, that whilst important sponsors and gambling providers, the agencies should never be any more than a peripheral thing which punters can partake in if they so choose. I think we probably agree on much of this, not sure, but this decision is a great step in the right decision. If the recent allegations around the Tigers player are so isolated, as many tell me, then why have the NRL taken this step?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It's about creating a culture of gambling around the game that supercedes the contest itself. Discussing who will win the game rather than the odds on either teams success used to be the discussion. Unfortunately that discourse has now changed. Perhaps the NRL's decision to ban certain betting options today might have you rethinking this poorly researched piece. Not gambling yourself perhaps suggest that your knowledge of the industry is a little weak. If you think all of the decisions you mention are made without input and consultation with betting agencies you are naive. I enjoyed your engagement with the artical. Thanks for reading.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Hi Stuart, the disallowance of some exotic gambling markets has been announced this morning. Gambling is a determining factor in this change by the NRL. Is that a bad thing? Im confused.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Oh wow, so the team with the fewest team changes had a pretty consistent top 21, ground breaking. They only used 24 all year. Now try for the Sea Eagles, Knights, Warriors even Penrith and see how you go. Case in point already is the Titans. They had 4 players under an injury cloud coming into naming the teams. 2 of those players were not named. Normally they could have been and swapped them out whenever they wanted. Its a change for transparency for the fans, not for gamblers, I dont see how this can be a problem for anyone.
Herman Hoth
Guest
I like the new system. It makes the team selection process more transparent, and I will no longer be sitting at home eagerly awaiting the prospect of a rooking running out to earn some big fantasy bucks only to see a grizzled veteran limp out in his place. It might confuse some "casual" fans though, they'll think we're playing rugby union or something.
Herman Hoth
Guest
Indeed, this will help my Fantasy Team quite a bit this year. Have you boys ever played NRL Dreamteam? Is SuperCoach better?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well said Andrew, you have tuned into the key point which is that gambling should be a peripheral thing and not a determining factor in decisions made by the nrl. Anyone who fails to see the destructive influence of gambling in sport is living in an alternative universe, dealing with alternative trump like facts.
peeeko
Guest
journos from the telecrap are already complaining on terror. the new system is pretty easy and stops last minute additions. i guess they do t get to release stories now about players missing the 17
andrew
Guest
Yeah so? How often historically do you think a coach has more than 21 players in mind for his team 5 days before kick off? Here is an example - I can guarantee you this would have been the 21 named by Stuart Flannagan almost every single week in 2016 BARBA, Ben BEALE, Gerard BIRD, Jack BROWN, Fa'amanu BUKUYA, Jayson CAPEWELL, Kurt ENNIS, Michael FEKI, Sosaia FIFITA, Andrew GALLEN, Paul GRAHAM, Wade HEIGHINGTON, Chris HOLMES, Valentine LEUTELE, Ricky LEWIS, Luke MALONEY, James PAULO, Joseph PRIOR, Matt SENE-LEFAO, Jesse TAGATAESE, Sam TOWNSEND, Chad I can guarantee that because the only three players who actually played for the Sharks not on that list are Mitch Brown (1 match, Matt Mcillrick 1 match and David Fafita 2 games). So how does that make any difference to anyone?
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
clubs with or without depth. You dont have depth? Thats your fault for poor recruitment and retention.
Perry Bridge
Guest
This is also an issue in the AFL - and, in reality with teams sometimes playing 5-6 days apart - battered players are given every opportunity to 'come up' for the next weeks game. The inclusion or not of one star player can completely change the structures and requirements around peripheral players. It's childish to expect the line in the sand on selection to be set on Wed night so that the Thursday papers can provide the definite line up and all the punters are happy. The game comes first, the punters second - punters need to understand that players are not robots and that teams are also clubs with or without depth. These are some of the things you are betting on. Buyer beware.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
With the new rules the coaches are just going to cut and paste the same 21 man squad week in week out. I am willing to bet that outside origin time, Ricky Stuart names the same 21 players 17 weeks out of 19 non origin weeks. So how that improves integrity I don’t know. Once you name your 21/19 you are stuck with it until game time.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
These are the key takeaways from the NRL Press Release: - All 16 NRL clubs will announce squads of 21 players at 4.00pm AEDT on Tuesdays (Warriors 3pm AEDT) - 21-man squad consisting of 17 "Active" players named in position, with a maximum of four additional players named as "Reserves". - 19-man squads named 24 hours prior to kick-off for every match. - 19-man squad: only from players included in the initial 21-man squad, is selected with 17 "Active" players named in position and a maximum of two additional players named as "Reserves". - Then one hour prior to kick-off a final team of 17 active players is confirmed, only selected from players included in the 19-man squad. All they are working on is reducing the liklihood of a player/coaching staff passing on inside information and how much of an impact that will have.
Steve Wilson
Guest
You want to put on a rort it can be done. Ever owned a pacer only to go to the races every week and be told by the guy that trains and drives the horse not today, but tips you the winner of the race that your own horse is in, happened to me for a few months, if they can do this week in week out in racing, they can get to referees, players etc. Publicity stunt by the NRL to name 21 players, an old nsw police academy training line used to be, public perception is 99% of our job.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Essentially you aren't able to hide a player and pick them at the eleventh hour. Yet selecting them in the twenty one still doesn't confirm their participation. Only one thing does, and that is the final team produced an hour before game time. Put the bet on then. The rest is overkill and gambling should always be an add on to the game, not a controlling factor. I agree with the points made and of course there will always be a little bit of info that might aid a punter out. Always been the case. Don't need to change regulations to cater for it in my opinion.
andrew
Guest
I agree with Stuart. Teams one hour before kick-off. If you are a punter just having some fun, then apart from a couple of key players you don't really care about the 17 named players and you place your bet some time in the week - no integrity issue there as you are probably only having bet for the fun of it with minimal funds. If you are a serious punter, you probably wait until the last hour after the teams are named anyway. If you don't you are a bit foolish. So what is the difference? As for worrying about people trying to get inside information through the week - that is nothing new and wouldn't change - people try to do that already. JT is named but carrying a niggling injury - people try to speak to other players etc to get inside information - but sometimes the players won't know. - So does the punter take a chance on their information? Again, how is that any different? With the new rules the coaches are just going to cut and paste the same 21 man squad week in week out. I am willing to bet that outside origin time, Ricky Stuart names the same 21 players 17 weeks out of 19 non origin weeks. So how that improves integrity I don't know. As for Supercoach - don't play it, but I assume it is like any other fantasy sport and you can change your line up right up to kick off. So do you play Ferguson on Saturday night or hope that Radaradara recovers from his niggle in time for Sunday afternoon's game? That is part of the game - makes it interesting. Deal with it.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Stuart, this changes a lot. Previously you would name a tea,. but still be able to pick anyone you wanted basically up until a couple of hours before game time. Not There will only be 21 players you can possibly pick from on TLT, and then 19 from before the game. This is transparency.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Don't seem to have much integrity at the moment with so called transparency in the system. This new version actually changes very little. The 'games' will still continue and punters will get annoyed. My point is, if I lose my cash due to a significant in or out, thats my problem. Gambling is a risk of course. I feel we are becoming far too influenced and at the mercy of the agencies, whose agendas are clearly not with the game. Thanks for engaging with the article much appreciated.