No player is bigger than the game. Or so we thought.
On Friday night, the NRL will watch teary eyed as Suncorp Stadium rolls out the red carpet for two of the game’s greatest ever players.
The QRL will resemble that of a blubbering mess as two of their darling children strut on out for the testimonial to end all testimonials.
Hang on, a testimonial?
Something doesn’t feel right. Cameron Smith isn’t retiring from either rep or club football at the end of the year. And Thurston? Sure he never got a proper farewell from the Queensland faithful (injury robbed him of of the chance to play in last year’s decider) but I don’t remember a testimonial for Darren Lockyer or Gorden Tallis either.
While these celebratory sporting occasions are common place in other codes and other continents (notably European soccer), they’re as rare as hens teeth in Australian rugby league. On top of that, when witnessing a testimonial in football they’re generally organised by a club to farewell a departing legend.
Why are we having a testimonial for two players from different clubs, one of whom is potentially retiring in 12 months and the other who could play for another three or four years? Something smells like a Queensland conspi…
Anyhow, the suggestions that Smith and Thurston will pocket a handsome profit from Friday’s proceedings are also cause for concern. If players are able to earn payments exempt from the salary cap for a testimonial, how else can clubs exploit the superstar status of their personnel for financial gain outside of that which is regulated by the cap? Creative accountants must surely be licking their lips.
(AAP Image/Darren England)
More immediately however, Cameron Smith should not be able to participate in Friday’s proceedings on the field. If the game really cared for the welfare of it’s participants, those who deliberately elbow others in the head for tackling them too hard should be rubbed out for at least a week.
After Smith did exactly that on his opposite number in last week’s World Club Challenge, the NRL conveniently deemed a warning letter to be more appropriate. Obviously, commercial exposure and reputation is more important than player safety.
All this does is add substance to the widely held belief that Smith is a protected species – a man whose remarkable numbers on the scoreboard have rendered him impossible to discipline or even talk poorly about.
In an age where the importance of treating referees with respect is becoming paramount, the Australian captain fails in his obligation here as well. How are kids supposed to respect referees and their decisions when they see the game’s most championed figure question and attempt to manipulate match officials week in, week out?
One of the criteria established by the NRL in the face of scrutiny was that, to be eligible for a testimonial, players need a near ‘unblemished record’. While he has been somewhat impossible to penalise or suspend across his illustrious career, I do seem to remember Cameron Smith being rubbed out from a certain grand final for a tackle straight out of the Melbourne Storm academy of hand-to-hand combat.
Moving forward, one silver lining from Friday’s game will be the fact a number of charities will benefit from it. I do question however, why an event partnered with four different charities will see it’s two stars potentially take home six figures each for a nights work. Surely all of that money could go to charity?
I am not doubting the utter and absolute legendary status of both players in terms of footballing ability. It is enshrined in gold. Smith is the GOAT. Thurston isn’t far behind. That doesn’t mean this testimonial makes sense however.
Oh and before I forget, go the Blues.
ATO
Guest
Don't worry we will be watching this closely
Compo
Roar Rookie
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA so now im not allowed to have an opinion on something ?? who made YOU the Internet police.. puhleeze... lots of OLD players achieved MORE than these two...in their footy careers and AFTER... these two haven't hit the 'after' part. I cant explain it any simpler if you don't like my 'petty' POV, ignore it...don't reply - I guess thats a solution for all of us.
Compo
Roar Rookie
IF that is the case (I heard that some or most was going to charities- BUT not all) well then I have no problem, obviously.
Compo
Roar Rookie
for those in NEED
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hate to break it to you mate, but both players donated their "takings" to their chosen charities
Tick
Guest
No mention of for the ‘good’ of recipients.
Emcie
Roar Guru
sam thiaday isn't likely to be playing next year anyway...
Compo
Roar Rookie
Definition: (in sport) a game or event held in honour of a player, who typically receives part of the income generated. "a testimonial match" my problem is that in the past we honoured those in NEED....these boys are NOT in need. how hard is that to understand ? we honour CS9 & Jt by watching them on tv or going to the ground and they are commensurately rewarded thru their Club and the NRL (indirectly) THEY don't NEED the money. there are many past much-loved players that are in need... how quickly we forget. and some are more worthy of the title "immortals" than the two being espoused here.. their time will come...no need to rush it Andrew Johns style
Tick
Guest
Just because you make up your own definition to ‘testamonial’ doesn’t give the article legs.
Compo
Roar Rookie
make money for WHO ?? CS9 & JT ??? stop being so defensive and i'll stop being 'salty' they do NOT deserve a testimonial, they are not poor or broken, that's what testimonials were meant to be... raising funds in other means for the GOOD of the recipients. FFS, don't call it a Testimonial & don't give proceeds to CS9 & JT... and then there's nothing to complain about.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Compo... mate... NRL is a business. the purpose of business is to make money. This is a job for the players. The purpose of jobs is to make money. And besides.... It was the QLD government who organized this match. You really are salty and you need to calm down.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
One little point; you’ve got them the wrong way round. Thurston is the GOAT; Smith lags behind him. Always has.
North Queenslander1
Guest
Pffffft.... Hope you feel better after that whinge.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
So your issue is that an event promoted as being for two players shouldn’t allow any money to go towards those two players because you personally believe there are more deserving former players who didn’t get paid as much (and didn’t achieve as much) as these two? You keep talking about your issues with it but the fact is the very vast majority of league fans have no issue whatsoever with it. You’re simply a noisy internet person who has to try and annoy people into your sad, petty POV.
Compo
Roar Rookie
AGAIN, one more time for the Dummies... this has NOTHING to do about where they come from...Qld, NSW, Central frigging Australia - i couldn't give a rats ass.. it's the FACT that they are getting a cut from the intake from this Trial match. they are already getting paid well enough, with enough perks to retire on. there are plenty more deserving ex-players out there that need support and assistance.
Tick
Guest
This article is a bigger NSW sook than the Telegraph ones they publish the day after the Blues lose Origin. Although, I can appreciate how hard it must be for your State’s greatest hero to be surpassed by the two best players of all time. Wait...he was surpassed 5 years ago.
Paul C
Guest
Matt H, Kerry Packer sent his Helicopter to pick up Joey Johns & transport him to Sydney where he was given a cushy job after his retirement. The NRL never intervened & allowed the deal go through but stopped other clubs from offering contracts to existing players if it included a job on retirement
Compo
Roar Rookie
but again, there should be NO CASH for CS9 or JT...they get paid anyway, its a Trial Match as you say, they get paid by their Clubs anyway. THAT'S my Issue.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
So why the testimonial? Well, why not? Play a testimonial for 2 future immortals, get a crowd of 30K-40K, televised game, great advertisement for the game, portion of ticket sales going to Ovarian Cancer Australia and Cowboys Community foundations and a great game of footy between last years grand finalists or.... A trial match in front of 1000-2000 people, maybe live streamed on the internet, sorry charities but no money for you and no exposure for rugby league. Hmm....... tough decision that I'll tell ya
Compo
Roar Rookie
but the Fact is they already get paid well, you just admitted that, so why the Testimonial ? I just don't get it . did they get injured mid-career and cant play anymore and have hospital bills, rehab and families to support now that they cant play the Game anymore? NO. they are perfectly healthy and still both playing this year- ergo, getting PAID this year. so again, WHY a testimonial to these two ?? I don't remember one for Nathan Hindmarsh or Hazem Elmasri ? - they've given so much to the Game too... why not these two I ask ? see ? the FACT that people are questioning this means it stinks.... if NOONE disagreed, well then go right ahead, but enough people don't see the value or reason for this trial game to be a testimonial and to line the pockets of CS9 & JT these two have been rewarded in so many other ways- that they don't need anymore handouts. so i'm Sorry I disagree with YOU and others that fawn over football players that entertain us by playing a sport. #FACT