There has been overwhelming positivity leading into Season 2 of the NRLW.
But still there have been people who assume they know what’s best for the women’s game. These people accuse the NRL of sexism for having only a four-week competition with four teams and the majority of games scheduled before the men’s finals fixtures.
The problem with unfair accusations like these are that they reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the women’s game and, even worse, dismiss the views of the most important stakeholders – the women who play our game and who have been consulted by the NRL at every step of the way in the creation of the competition.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we saw over the weekend – two very close games with an improvement in standard across the board.
In the New Zealand Warriors’ four-point win over the Sydney Roosters, Charntay Poko was a revelation in her first NRLW outing. Poko made her debut for the Kiwi Ferns earlier this year and in her first NRLW game displayed a kicking game with pinpoint accuracy. On almost every occasion her kick produced a result, and she even managed a 40/30.
Simaima Taufa for the Roosters scored two tries and Kirra Dibb made sure the game stayed within reach with a try-saver on prop Onjeurlina Leiataua after a line break and 30-metre run.
Shakiah Tungai was impressive in the game between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos, scoring the Dragons’ first try and being denied on another two occasions.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
For Brisbane, Ali Brigginshaw led with aplomb, and despite losing the most players out of any other team, the Broncos began their title defence with a win.
Both games were close, competitive and exciting. The Warriors get the opportunity to host their first standalone game at home next week, and their season is off to the perfect start.
Importantly, there has also been an improvement across the board fitness-wise. Testing has shown an increase of up to 15 per cent for many of the stars in this year’s competition, including Julia Robinson from the Brisbane Broncos and Rikeya Horne from the St George Illawarra Dragons, who can squat 140 kilograms for reps, which is over double her body weight.
Chelsea Baker and Tarryn Aiken from the Brisbane Broncos have both hit 29 kilometres per hour at training, and there are plenty of other examples.
Fast growth is not always an indicator of success.
If the NRL were to double the length of the season, it would have some important impacts. Consider that many of these women have had to relocate to play in this competition – women like Brittany Breayley and Karina Brown have left home, work and family to relocate for the competition. For women like Breayley, who also play for the Australian Jillaroos and compete in State of Origin, most of their annual leave is used up just to play the sport that they love.
If you speak to many women competing, they will tell you that while the talent pool is growing steadily, there still aren’t enough players to ensure the quality of the competition with more teams. That’s one of the concerns of moving from a one-game State of Origin series to three games. If players are injured, there are concerns that there wouldn’t be enough players to ensure the quality of the games.
Fortunately for the NRL, they have the example of the AFLW to watch and learn from.
(Michael Willson/AFL Media)
The AFLW is a good example of a competition that has grown too quickly, and as a result there are problems popping up everywhere.
The Age has reported that the AFLW is facing a split with the AFL Players Association because the players are disappointed with the way the 2020 season is shaping up. Despite no announcement being made yet about the structure of the competition, the players want the opportunity to play each team once rather than the conference structure that the AFL has adopted, which is more like an exhibition tournament.
The AFL has told the players that if they want the product to be successful, then they need to improve the standard. This is a big ask for women still new to the game and juggling full-time work with their training. And the AFL has given fans little opportunity to contribute to the profitability of the game.
So while the AFLW may have more teams and more games, this disrespect for the players is not something I ever want to see in the NRL.
To those who want more for the women’s game, I stand with you. But at no point do I want this growth to come at the expense of the players, their vision for the competition or their ability to compete.
This is their competition and they know that if they build it properly, then the fans will come.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
you've actually admitted this is a power trip for you. How sad to tr0ll people just to get your jollies. You must not have much in life let alone be old enough to have daughters kid :laughing:
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I don't get riled up. I say my piece & if you have to create multiple aliases to be heard then that sounds riled up to me.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Petra, it must be great to be on the sideline doing and contributing nothing, whilst people like Michael are out there working hard to promote what they love and trying to make a difference. You'll forgive me if I'm not particularly interested in your feedback.
TT
Roar Rookie
I have just read Mary's article and comments with great interest. Our recently completed NRL Research Grant project with the NRLW complements Mary's points about robust consultation with players (and other key stakeholders) and the due consideration given to the athlete's voices in setting the competition structure, including decisions about the initial number of teams. In conducting interviews before the competition structure was set - through to post-first season conversations - the players' passion, commitment and dedication to the success (and long term sustainability) of the game was no less than impressive.
Bernie Vinson
Guest
Justin do you have anything positive to add to the discussion or do you just berate others for a living
Bernie Vinson
Guest
I can summarise the 266 posts. Mary makes a point about not wishing for the NRLW to expand too fast because she thinks the AFLW has been rushed. (as opposed to some AFLW women who think its too slow). You then get the usual AFL backers saying its more complex than that and you also have some NRL geniuses who sledge in 1 sentence any AFL comebacks on sledging of the AFLW competition (so one assumes they watch it closely).
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
And how many times are you going to be banned & come back under another alias to tell us the same thing you keep telling us over & over? Is this your power trip in your life? You seriously hang your hat on social media tr0lling :laughing:
Petra
Guest
You're the second half of "The Power Couple" hahaha Imagine being known as the International Rugby League Power Couple.. poor old Carbs is trying hard but he is getting nowhere
Jimmy
Roar Guru
I am legitimately impressed with how many players the AFL (Australian Rules) has around the world, but it will always struggle on the International stage because the Worlds best players don’t play for their country and until they find a way to change this I don’t think it can be considered ‘Test Football’ As far as League is concerned I think that when the best players in the World are fighting it out for their National sides it’s a test? When it’s more at the amateur level- like Greece and Turkey on the Weekend, I’d consider that an Exhibition/Soft Cap scenario, but as I said before it’s a vague and almost undefinable scenario.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Jimmy I guess......it depends whether people feel that the game is at the level of seriously playing 'tests' (if that's the term they are desperate to use). Being generally a 1 off game - - is it perhaps more a soccer style (un) Friendly.......because at this point with amateurs/part timers it's more often who is able to be available. Are the NRLW contracted players contracted for the mini NRLW comp (it's pretty well a round robin with 4 teams) plus the 'rep' matches. But - in saying that when the AFL play International Rules matches against the GAA they call them 'Tests'. Okay - I'm on the fence on this one. Perhaps in AFL world - full 18 aside internationals should be labeled 'tests' (whether in tournament or stand alone). Or do we figure you've got to be in some way contracted??
Randy
Roar Rookie
Jimmy they come from a place where criticizing AFL is like criticizing the national socialists in WW2 Germany. You just have to see how the AFL boys club in Melbourne shun people like Caroline Wilson whenever they say something negative towards the fuhrerprinzip, although I will say her snarky comments towards League on shows like offsiders are pathetic and bubble like.
Jimmy
Roar Guru
What is so wrong with learning from others mistakes?
Jimmy
Roar Guru
All she is saying is that the NRL should try and learn from the mistakes that the AFLW has made, you are making out that Mary is on a crusade against the AFL when she is actually a fan. RL is a long way behind AFL In this space and therefore have the luxury to have a bit of foresight. And the fact that the players feel under represented by their association shows that the NRL need to be vigilant in player consultations, which like Mary said if you ask the players, so far many of them feel listened to.
Jimmy
Roar Guru
I agree that it is a hard term to define and somewhat over used, especially in League and I guess that’s why they have soft caps. Do you think that the Jillaroos vs the Kiwi Ferns is a legitimate Test?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Jimmy Using the phrase 'Test' is interesting. I don't dismiss the passion - in representing your country. I just find the use of the term 'Test' to be interesting. It's a label....but is it right? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for it - the international matches. I love the passion of amateurs representing the country - I've often mentioned the 2011 AFL International Cup 11/12th place play off - last place in Div 1. Sweden vs Japan on a suburban oval in Melbourne - and it was one of the best footy contests I saw that year.....didn't need to be professionals.....it was national pride for players who come to Australia from a long, long way away. Can I call that 'Test' footy? Perhaps I can. Granted that was 2 week tournament matches......does a 'Test' need to be more of a stand alone game? I guess I think back to cricket and for example Sri Lanka before gaining official 'test' status would often host touring teams for 3 day 'unofficial tests'.....rather than just a tour game.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
See it as a different way for new sports to spark development. The Canadian Womens team is currently touring Serbia, so the journey for them continues. I read where the Norway Rugby league approached the RLWC21 organisers wanting to put a team into the wheelchair cup as they said they had enough players to form a comp but to get the finance they would need to show that they were participating in a world cup. They have just announced a $380,000 grant from a NGO called Sparebankstiftelsen DNB for the development of the sport in Norway & to get them ready to participate in the RLWC21. They will also get government money out of this. So with no formal comp yet though starting soon, that is WOW for thinking out of the box, plus they'll have 2 years to get better at wheelchair RL & the Federation have a new member. Lets face it rugby league is not a rich sport outside the NRL & people who want to develop it must try new ways.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Just because other people don't agree with you doesn't mean they use aliases. I have always used clipper and don't hide behind other aliases, unlike others here that I have caught out.
Jimmy
Roar Guru
Mike, 1.6 million people watched the Origin, that’s pretty awesome and pretty harsh to disregard it so quickly. And are you honestly saying that the Jillaroos don’t play test footy? Why would you say that? watch a game against NZ and discount their passion. AFLW crowds and participation are excellent and should be commended and I don’t see anyone criticising them but you just basically dismissed test footy cause you don’t like the code.
Jimmy
Roar Guru
You have to start somewhere Petra, Turkey and Greece are very much at the Grassroots phase but growth is growth, do you not grow tired of being negative?
Bernie Vinson
Guest
Wilkinson would have to be 46 years of age...