With a minuscule percentage of footballers in hot water on vacay again, Todd Greenberg is left with no choice but to ban the end of the rugby league season.
If he is serious about the hearts and minds of the game’s most valuable sector – the papers – he must flex his administrative muscle and outlaw the off-season immediately, and along with it, any form of recreation, relaxation, and/or return flight to South East Asia unless canvassing a relocation post for Cronulla.
After the string of ugly incidents last summer and a regrettable launch to this recreation period, holiday misdeeds have grown synonymous with the game. Apparently The Veronicas were disruptive on a flight last month, now the tabloids have linked them with the Knights.
This is why the time has come for the game to stand up. It has a reputation to uphold, and the only way to arrest this is with irrational, poorly-advised corrective action, and/or the Coach Whisperer.
Overlooking the botched presentations, wrongly adjudged medalists and Darren Lockyer’s memory, the NRL demands excellence and professionalism – and this can be ensured by running the competition all year round to counter cheap flights to Bali.
Such action is necessary for this reason: while the majority of footballers can be trusted to do the right thing, unfortunately the sport’s culture dictates the only time these fine men are celebrated is if one smashes someone on ESPN.
This leaves the spotlight to an incurable minority that is devoid of decorum unless they are embedded in the week-in week-out grind of weekly matches, or off-contract.
Nelson Asota-Solomona of the Storm in happier times. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
By banning the off-season and forcing footballers to play rugby league 365 days per year, it will quash any chance of extra-curricular transgression and restrict the game’s ugly incidents to eye gouging and confused refereeing.
This idea has strengthened in the last 48 hours following the incident allegedly involving Nelson Asofa-Solomona, with the pictures from Seminyak causing such distress it saw political protestors in Jakarta pleading for peace.
While no charges have yet been laid, the Melbourne man-mountain is already protesting his innocence, with onlookers claiming he was simply reacting to revellers’ requests for an impersonation of Craig Bellamy after a forward pass.
Investigations remaining ongoing, however the Storm are privately hoping the accused is mistaken for Brodie Croft, thus facilitating a move to Brisbane where he could be adequately punished for violent acts by being offered the captaincy.
Whatever the outcome, the events of Sunday continue rugby league’s torrid relationship with Bali and surrounding areas, a destination that has long proven irresistible for footballers not only for its geographical proximity, but also because its favourable exchange rate means lower fines.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg speaks to the media after leaving the NSW Federal Court in Sydney, Monday, April 15, 2019. Jack de Belin is challenging the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy after he was charged with sexual assault in December. (AAP Image/Peter Rae)
The incident couldn’t come at a worse time for the NRL, with the silly season off to a concerning start after Brisbane’s James Segeyaro was hauled before the authorities after allegedly ingesting an illicit substance, believed to be XXXX Gold.
This follows from a disastrous post-2018, with historians claiming it to be the first pre-season in history with trial games available strictly through closed circuit footage and/or a video link from remand.
Of greater shame, the NRL enjoyed a year of impeccable off-field behaviour during the 2019 season proper, with an incomprehensible campaign of squeaky clean behaviour forcing media in to the unprecedented move of reporting on matches.
Nevertheless, the fact remains this; the NRL off-season is a time to regroup, plan for next year’s campaign and recruit and rejuvenate rosters, and that’s just that Integrity Unit.
This is why an all year round season is required. Sure, it will be tremendously negative for players health, but the upside for the NRL is at least it will kill the international game.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I remember when our end of season trip away was to Tamworth.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Agree, spruce - amazing that the combination of drink, machismo and dumbness cancels out any chance of de-escalating an explosive situation. Especially be wary in a country whose legal system won't afford you the rights you take for granted.
Nick
Roar Guru
By the way I know of no such country where if a situation arose where some one was threatening a mate or a relative with a busted bottle, where friends would just stand back & let it happen. Well, I truly hope you don't find yourself in such a situation. You're in for a real shock if the situation goes south. Considering I've just told you a few...but what would I know...I only live in one of those countries at the moment. And I've lived in 2 others as well. Middle eastern legal systems would be a VERY rude shock to you. Malaysia as well for that matter...a country that tends to find foreigners "guilty until proven guilty" if you've assaulted a national. Btw, I note you didn't respond to the fact that the NRL (and most sports) punish the third man in more than the two instigators of a fight - something that's remarkably contradictory to your "great Aussie tradition"
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
yeah sure , I have never travelled ......By the way I know of no such country where if a situation arose where some one was threatening a mate or a relative with a busted bottle, where friends would just stand back & let it happen. Human nature is human nature and cultural differences mean jack
Al Smith
Guest
Alcohol is the cause of most of the trouble in society today, Just ban the bloody booze!
a
Roar Rookie
No just banned Bali
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Can we ban Greenberg?
Nick
Roar Guru
Where is bowraville? That's in Queensland!! Queensland everywhere!
Dane Eldridge
Expert
This also sounds somewhat like Queensland selection policy
Dane Eldridge
Expert
“The coaches box is damaging today’s youth.” This is seriously resonating, Paul. Might pitch to Four Corners
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Always an upside Geoff!
Nick
Roar Guru
in some countries...yes. Indonesia is one of those countries. I live in SE Asia - I've been enough times to Indonesia and seen enough to know that your "great Aussie tradition" means jack squat outside Australia. The best thing to do is to protect your own interests and stay away from any altercation, or seek peaceful ways to end it. You trying to foist "great Aussie traditions" overseas might land you in prison. The "tradition" either is disregarded, or a another countries justice system is so corrupt you get the blame. Jock Palfreeman is a textbook example. Besides, even the NRL is harsh on "third man in" which is exactly what you are advocating is a "great Aussie tradition". You need to travel/live overseas to get some perspective.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
"The Media" self righteously frowns upon poor off field behaviour yet it is quite happy to give it a good run to gain traction to create off season interest.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
so if the report is correct he was supposed to stand by and watch his mate get glassed with a busted bottle is that how it works ...seriously?????
Larry1950
Guest
Very droll Dane. On a more sober note, pun intended, it will never happen because of Television's need for content but if you went back to a footy season that didn't last about 11 months (why is a league comp starting in late October in the Southern Hemisphere) the players wouldn't be like paroled inmates & go crazy for the short period before they start pre-season. Oh for the distinct footy/cricket seasons of the old days when players & supporters had downtime. Much like the 24 hour news cycle, it won't happen & we're poorer for that.
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Dane, After 201 games I welcome the change from porridge for breakfast and 360 for supper. But I will miss the Newtown Jets.
Nick
Roar Guru
Bit like Andy Murray in the tennis. British when he wins. Scottish when he loses.
Nick
Roar Guru
"...he should also ban that great Aussie tradition of looking after yer mate when he is in trouble.' Noosa, that "great Aussie tradition" ends at the shores of Australia. In Bali - you know, an island in a completely different country, that's not how it works.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Always picking on theNRL .Why can’t the headline read “giant Kiwi runs amuck in Bali”. Just adopt the Rusty Crowe analogy- Phone throwing Kiwi but Oscar winning Aussie
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Dane, you very neatly managed to come up with your next article in one line, "he was simply reacting to revellers’ requests for an impersonation of Craig Bellamy after a forward pass" Players are expected to be soooo PC off the filed, yet the Bellamy's and Stuarts of the world are considered good TV if they bash walls, swear, throw things or generally cause unlimited mayhem & damage. Perhaps you could put your own unique view on the world inside the coaches box and the damage this is causing today's youth, when they see these guys tearing the place up - and that's when they find out they lost the coin toss!