People! Please calm down. All of this outrage and righteous indignation aimed at the National Rugby League administration is a total waste of your time.
We’ve been through this already this year, and last year, and the year before, and the year before that too.
I have a strong suspicion that those tasked with the day-to-day operations of the NRL have zero interest in your opinions or outrage. That they don’t care how offensive you find their inconsistency or give a flying expletive that you think they aren’t competent. That they don’t care how much overwhelming evidence you have to back all of that up.
Go ahead! Continue to plead, beg, demand, petition, request, beseech, implore or entreat NRL HQ to pick up their game.
But I think you are screaming into the void.
They don’t work for you. You are not their client.
I think that we all need to come to terms with the fact that the National Rugby League is not primarily a sporting competition, it’s an entertainment product. The whole thing seemingly revolves around the massive broadcast deals and sponsorships.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
These are billion-dollar concerns that far outweigh the minor issues that we fans, players, coaches and club administrators have about regarding the inconsistencies and imbalances in on-field decisions, MRC charges, judiciary suspensions and scheduling.
Right now, there are masses of indignation, disbelief and anger about how NRL HQ is running the game.
However, that is situation normal. It seems we’ve all been getting upset about the same sort of issues constantly for years and nothing has improved. It has arguably got worse.
We’ve huffed and we’ve puffed at NRL HQ, but their house is double brick, steel-reinforced and triple glazed.
Right now, I feel that no one at NRL HQ at Moore Park seems to care how outrageous it is that Nic Cotric got sent off and suspended while Jake Trbojevic did not suffer either fate.
Nick Cotric was sent off for this spear tackle on Tim Lafai. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
I feel that they don’t give a toss that Jared Maxwell was the video referee responsible for both of those calls, yet will continue uninterrupted in his role. Meanwhile, Chris Butler, Chris Sutton, Clayton Sharpe and Adam Cassidy got dropped in the wake of the Eels-Warriors game over a couple of iffy penalties and a forward pass call that was 50/50 at worst. How can it be cool to brush us off for being #refsfault-ers but then dump a whole squad of officials?
I feel that the NRL clearly don’t care how dreadful it looks that George Burgess got nine weeks while Josh McGuire twice got nothing for offences that most of us can’t tell the difference between.
I feel that they aren’t bothered that the draw is imbalanced in terms of free-to-air broadcast games and short turnarounds.
I don’t feel that they think it is a problem that referees appear to be selected for big matches at least partially because they award fewer penalties than their colleagues, not for their ability to enforce the rules of the game.
I think NRL HQ is quite happy for Graham Annesley to front up each week to spin each new on-field inconsistency and inaction despite him – at least earlier in the season – being oblivious to how integral slowing down the ruck is to success in the modern game.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The identity of those on the Match Review Committee (MRC) that is continually making bizarrely polar decisions is totally hidden from us. Go on, try finding out who they are. While you’re at it, try finding the MRC’s operational guidelines. Good luck with that.
Now try finding the NRL Operations manual online. Since people like me started actually reading it and realising that the NRL were only enforcing bits of it – such as the coaches’ attendance at the broadcasters’ press conferences, and not stopping the blatant on-field coaching by blue shirt trainers – I can’t find it anymore.
And why would what is basically a private company put out their internal guides if they’re used to expose failures?
I think it is clear that we all just need to come to terms with the realities of our lot in regards to the NRL.
As a supporter, our roles in the grand scheme things are:
- To switch on our TV and watch the games;
- To buy a pay TV or streaming subscription;
- To buy a club membership;
- To turn up to the game;
- To be devoted to NSW/QLD and to despise NSW/QLD;
- Not question how the game is run or by whom;
- And to shut up and sit down – in our seat at the stadium and in front of the NRL broadcast of our choice.
It has become clear to me that no amount of reasoning or yelling at NRL HQ will change those realities or get them to address their administrative failures.
The only way I can see the present realities of the National Rugby League possibly changing is if the ARLC Commissioners decide to get involved and do something about it.
As you may know, in 2012 when the ARL corporate entity was handed over to the new Australian Rugby League Commission, a whole bunch of commissioners were appointed.
The ARLC actually has a constitution and a framework for its operation, but good luck trying to read them without a login – and you aren’t going to get one; it’s not your company.
You can see the select excerpts they’ve released of it here if you like.
The initial commissioners were officially appointed with the sanction of the 16 clubs, along with the Queensland and New South Wales Rugby Leagues. However, the Commission now appoints any replacements themselves.
The ARLC commissioners clearly have the power to address and rectify administrative and operational failings at NRL HQ. In fact, the NRL website states it is their job to do so:
The ARLC is the governing body for rugby league in Australia. It sets the overall strategic direction for the game and works to ensure that the administration across all levels of rugby league can meet the demands of being a modern, professional and well governed sport.
The current commissioners are as follows:
- Peter Beattie, current chairman and former premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie.
- Professor Megan Davis – a professor of law at the University of New South Wales and runs their Indigenous Law Centre.
- Dr Gary Weiss – a highly qualified lawyer and extremely experienced businessman.
- Tony McGrath – a former partner at KPMG and the co-founder, partner and co-chairman of McGrathNicol, a restructuring and advisory firm.
- Amanda Laing – a very experienced senior counsel who has worked with Australian Consolidated Press, PBL Media, Nine Entertainment Co., as well as Telstra and Foxtel.
- Peter V’landys – the chief executive and a board member of Racing New South Wales.
- Wayne Pearce – a total legend of the game.
- and of course one vacant commissioner position following the recent resignation of Mark Coyne.
Peter Beattie. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
These are all clearly superbly accomplished individuals.
I have three questions for all of them:
- Do you actually think the current state of affairs is acceptable and that the current NRL administration is adequately meeting the requirement of being a modern, professional and well-governed sport?
- Are you okay that the organisation you lead is constantly held up for derision from fans?
- Do you take seriously that you are ultimately responsible for how the game is run, and therefore it is you – not Todd Greenberg or anyone else – who should be held to account for these issues?
I certainly hope the commissioners are meeting and planning an overhaul of the NRL HQ management. That they are industriously working on our behalf to ensure that the NRL does, in fact, become a modern, professional and well-governed sport.
So if you feel that you must demand action, I’d suggest that you address your concerns directly to the ARLC commissioners themselves, and ask them to please use their powers to improve the governance of the sport we love.
Stop bothering to bring your concerns and complaints to NRL HQ as that clearly has no meaningful, lasting effect.
peter cahill
Guest
It is obvious to me that there are forces at work to destroy Rugby League as an icon sport here in Australia...The downhill slide started with the Super League fiasco and has slowly but surely taken a dive to this unwatchable rubbish we are now exposed to...I keep waiting for some relief but the attacks keep coming...media ...on field decisions...biased commentary...player scrutiny...coach harassment ....I feel for those supporters who are being abused by turning up and supporting a team that losses 60+ in a game then plays well the next week...Why???.....because it's too LATE....they have succeeded it their quest and if you know the game of League and can be honest it's passed the point of repair...BROKEN !!!!....A great article..At least we have what the game lacks...HONESTY>>>
elvis
Roar Rookie
My thoughts exactly :-) Maybe they read the ROAR
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good to know they're listening to me.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Ladder updated on NRL.com 10 minutes after the game finished Thursday night.
David
Guest
There's a reason Domino's improved their pizzas. It was because of dwindling sales and a poor reputation with their customers. If the NRL wants to consider itself an entertainment industry, then they'll need to start providing what their customers want. Otherwise, they will have fans voting with their feet.
PERMANANT PANTHER
Guest
#TURNOFFTHEFOOTY . If we all did this for a couple of weeks I think the people who pay would sit up and listen.
matth
Roar Guru
“If you don’t like it you leave and start your own competition (accompanied by smirks and sniggers of derision)”. I believe that’s what the NSWRL told the broncos a couple of decades ago.
Jennzex
Guest
I certainly hope you had to google the correct lyrics .
Nat
Roar Guru
If you cannot contribute to the topic then back to the caravan with you hillbilly.
Tim Gore
Expert
And thanks... Now I've got that freaking song stuck in my head!!!
Tim Gore
Expert
And for whom do you work Jennzex? From where does the IP address your pseudonym originates from broadcast? Are you alleging that ABC Grandstand Rugby League has determined agenda driven ignorance? If so, what is your evidence for that? And what are you suggesting that I have to learn? Or are you having a stir for your own entertainment? And if you are going to quote children's TV theme songs at least get it right: "Timmy, it's Timmy He's a little lamb with a lot to learn Timmy, it's Timmy He's a handful of trouble at every turn"
Ray Scist
Guest
They’re both driving battery powered cars , so neither is capable of speeding anywhere.
Nat
Roar Guru
No you’re still a “a tin foil hat wearing cynic” NRL is a business, a sport entertainment business broadcasting footy straight into the living room of millions of homes for free (or for the price of ctn or beer a month). Not because you are entitled to it, because the investors want a return on their investment via advertising. Like it or not, Brisbane get a disproportionate number of FTA games because they are a ratings bonanza, it’s the biggest return on the investors $. However, they haven’t won a title in over a decade? How is that NRL manipulation? Melbourne is the most successful club this decade and get F-all FTA games yet they attract the largest FTAs in the comp. Where is the NRL manipulation in that?
Big Daddy
Guest
Ask the tea lady or the cleaner.
Nat
Roar Guru
I believe we are well past that point Paul, we are getting into horse racing territory. The NRL only exist in it's current form to make money. TV give $1b dollars because they can sell $2b in advertising. Betting agencies make up a large part of that advertising to make more money again from the punters. Maybe that's where all the angst come from, punters have stopped watching for the entertainment of it but their investment in it, whether that be betting, supercoach or simply tipping where a poor call potentially cost them money and/or position. Look at last night, the Cowboys were dudded with the obstruction call and again with the JT13 knock-on. Both ludicrous calls but the no-try could have lead the Cowboys back in the game. "Could have" the first two words of an assumption. People make these scenarios up in there head based on an assumption and try to hold the NRL accountable for it. Driver at a Red light: The car in front of me Could Have made the green light, they sped through the last yellow light why did they stop for this one. I'm going to be late now because that car didn't speed through the yellow light like they did last time. They don't know what they are doing. I'm late and they are 'driving Miss Daisy'. How have they even got a licence? I hate this driver in front, they better not do it again at the next light or I'm going to lose it! Driver in front: oh good song.
kk
Roar Pro
Tim, It may help us to understand the NRL/ARL if we had access to an organisational chart with employees titles and responsibilities. The NRL/ARL carries the odium of being a clique and claque operation. Staff turnover has been reported as high. Getting the answer to that may be a good start.
Paul
Roar Guru
Tim, your point about League now being "sports entertainment" is only partially correct, IMO. Rugby League has always been a game, every since it started more than a century ago. The only thing that's changed in fairly recent times is, who is the major "sponsor" of the game? Not which company pours in the most dough to put a logo on a jersey, but which companies pay the most money into the game, to get a return on their investment and that of course are the broadcasters. Prior to these huge broadcast deals, the game was almost a shared product between the fans, the NRL equivalents and the money, which obviously came from many sources. The balance has now been badly skewed and we have only 2 "players" left who control everything, the mob that plays the game and mob that broadcasts it. As it stands, there's no way this imbalance is going to be addressed any time soon and we the fan are wasting our time trying to effect change to anyone, because the guys in charge don't care (the game's still making good money) and nor do the broadcasters (conflict is good TV, it means people are watching). The only power the people have left is to switch off and/or, not turn up to games, all at the same time. For that to happen would require a massive, co-ordinated effort and both these other parties are confident that level of organization will never happen, so they'll happily keep serving up an (at times) underwhelming product to be broadcast, safe in the knowledge the masses will wear it.
Don
Roar Rookie
The reason Trbojevic got off lightly was probably because of the issue you’re arguing about the NRL being negligent on Tim. When Cotric got suspended you were on here arguing how it was manifestly unfair and you provided the character reference of him being respectful to young girls, kind to old women and donates time to save the rainforest, rescues animals with the RSPCA etc. So…say the NRL, behind closed doors, accepted that Cotric’s suspension was excessive, is it your contention that because a precedent was set, albeit a bad and wrong one, the NRL should continue to make the same flawed judgment for the rest of the year in the interest of fairness? Or should we make sure no one else cops excessive penalties for similar incidents? I mean, Jake Turbo is probably just as fine a human as Saint Ned. Or, should we accept that we have flaws in both our game and the people running it and if it wasn’t for crisis merchants like Kent, Rothfield, Crawley and today, you, most of us would not give a second thought to these incidents past Monday morning? On NRL360 the other night watching Kent blow up about the inconsistency in refereeing and ineptitude of the NRL management, I turned it off. It’s all just confected rage. Most of it had no bearing on anything other than column inches, view and clicks and set the platform to continue in the same vein for the rest of the week… These journalists come out crying that because a club or NRL doesn’t fully explain every decision or process to them down to the tiniest details and also then do not agree with the journo’s assessment of things, well that means they are out of touch. They were critical of the Titans appointing a coach without fully announcing to the media what the exact process and selection criteria would be! When did that become something that the media should be informed of? The footy is good. Ignore the media and it’s even better. Just take a deep breath and move on when you don’t agree with the NRL. Or, crowdfund a campaign and lead the changes.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
I will take a thousand of those toilet rolls. How about some dog poop bags as well?
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
AND this week's NRL tips came out as "Round 19". Surely somebody proofreads these things?