What is the dumbest idea on the rugby league spectrum? Holding marketing events that pose as meaningful competitions just before the actual competition that really matters kicks off.
On Thursday, 12 March, the 2020 NRL season kicks off. What each club really doesn’t need is their most precious commodities – their players – getting injured just before the season starts.
It is one thing having your players injured in preseason training – as poor Ryan James did – or in the warm-up trials; it is entirely another when it happens in games that don’t matter and pose only risk to your club with little or no gain.
I mean, who really remembers or celebrates winning these sorts of competitions? No-one, that’s who.
At best your club gets some money if they win, at worst they lose vital players and suffer the consequences all season.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
As I’ve said previously in regard to preseason competitions, scheduling them before the start of the NRL season is a reckless use of players on the part of the administration. The risk of injury at this time shows little regard for the players or clubs.
And the clubs know it. While they must enter teams in the Nines event, as their team lists have emerged in the last week we’ve seen precious few star names in any of the 18-man squads, which also have only a smattering of established first-grade players in them.
Let’s look at the numbers.
Firstly, of the 288 players named across the 16 squads, only 140 – 48 per cent – could be described as first-grade players.
If you dig a bit deeper and change that definition to established first-grade players – those who you actually expect to see regularly in the match-day 17 – those numbers dip to 115, just 40 per cent.
When you then examine just how many of the vital regular spine players from each club – the Nos. 1, 6, 7 and 9 – will be turning up in Perth, just 19 of a possible 64 (just under 30 per cent) will be there.
Here is a brief list of the stars who will not be at Optus stadium this weekend: Benji Marshall, Adam Douehi, Moses Mbye, Luke Brooks, Josh Hodgson, Jack Wighton, Josh Jackson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Matt Moylan, Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom and Jake Trbojevic, Cam Smith, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Dale Finucane, Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, David Klemmer, Roger Tuivasa Sheck, Michael Morgan, Valentine Holmes, Adam Reynolds, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Luke Keary, Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco.
That’s just what I could see off the top of my head. There are 17 current international and/or Origin players in that list.
Some teams are sending sides loaded with their best players, with the Eels, Broncos, Sharks, Titans, Panthers and Dragons having all named strong squads. The Warriors and Rabbitohs have paid some lip service to the event with some star players named in their squads.
However, the other eight sides have clearly deprioritised this event. If they have actually named a star player – such as the Storm naming Cam Munster, the Sea Eagles selecting Martin Taupau and the Cowboys naming Jason Taumololo – it will be interesting to see how much time they actually spend on the field.
Nowhere is the deprioritisation of the Nines clearer than with last year’s grand finalists. While the Raiders have named three players from their 2019 grand final team, the rest of the side is currently touring the bushfire ravaged communities that are all through their region. The Roosters’ only established first-grade player selected is Sam Verrils. While I’m certain that the kid will be a star – and he is a key spine player – he is hardly a decent representative sample from the reigning Premiers.
Some sides are picking retired players to make up their numbers, with Michael Gordon and Corey Parker both getting a gig. Bizarrely, the Roosters have picked ex-AFL player Nick Davis to don the tri-colours. I mean, seriously?
While I have previously lamented the poor timing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians versus the New Zealand Maoris game in regard to its timing in regard to it risking preseason injuries and not getting the best players taking part as a result, that fixture is meaningful and deserves its place in the calendar.
However, preseason carnivals playing either the sevens or nines versions of the game have no popular support. While the idea of such a festival may appeal to marketing people – who may or may not actually follow rugby league – these carnivals have only operated for 16 of the last 32 seasons and on each occasion died out through lack of interest by fans and lack of commitment on the part of the teams.
Why the NRL are insisting on exhuming this dead horse in order to give it another flogging – especially when they are taking a poor product to a non-traditional market – makes no sense at all.
And when Cam Munster does his ACL or Jason Taumalolo does his shoulder or Mitch Moses busts his ankle, it will have all been for no good reason and it will sorely upset the teams and their supporters who have a poor 2020 NRL season as a result.
But I doubt the marketing team who pushed for this needless carnival to take place will care about that at all.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
What I learnt at the Nines! * The footy was great and should be retained every year. * As predicted some amazing talent unearthed, albeit to the public. * Perth has close to ZERO interest in anything but AFL * Most fans had no idea who was actually on the field playing * A print out of players names and numbers should have been distributed freely * No coffee on the ground anywhere * Taxi's non-exitent getting home.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
It was actually pretty cool here in Perth yesterday, but yes, it could very well have been a real stinker and be well outside what would be considered good for player welfare
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Well, Scott Drinkwater is absolutely killing it in the Nines ATM. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also looks like he could make a big impact this year if given an opportunity. Good luck for the Final Rob and Jimmmy. Good luck to the Dragons and DPS and Paul. Young Corey Ramsay looks like a great prospect. Shame about the injuries to Dufty and Sims.
Mercy
Guest
Its odd - you say Perth has no chance of NRL inclusion and then you hold Nines there (unless you are trying to get State Govt to subsidise the team). The difference in talent in the squads means lopsided scores (wheres Cummins/ Sutton?) and the Roosters picking ex Swan who is retired 12 years says it all - speaking of the Roosters I can only count 1 local in the Roosters womens wider squad - why didn't Parra get the guernsey in the womens NRL to at least represent RL heartland.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Barry, trouble was I just could not enjoy it, watching the boys & girls running around in stinking oppressive heat in Perth on a Saturday afternoon did nothing for me. I actually enjoyed it last year from NZ but this year after about the 4th game I just switched it off. During the season I try to watch as many games as I can not just when my team plays. But then again I have never been a fan of touch footy a except when the kids play it down Pirate park and have a great time, even my Kelpie wants to join in and round them up..
Rob
Guest
That was my political reply. I was pleasantly surprised he brought Hess done 1 on 1. You maybe right Papi in the early rounds he might use Drinkwater but when fully fit Holmes will be the fullback for mine. Look out for Fidow he move like B.Mullen and swerves like Bowen and he only 18 and he has exceptional football instincts. That's our fullback if he keeps growing and stays focused.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Ok so when I originally read this article, I was frothing for footy and was like “geez cheer up Timmy” Now I’m like wtf do we only play 2 games in a pool of 4? What do you fn mean we don’t play a pool match against everyone??? WHY, why don’t we play the Titans.. helloooooo who thought of this?? What is wrong with you people!! Bad enough regular NRL season is grossly unfair but this is just ludicrous.. so I’m Damien Cook right.. I fly to Perth Thursday.. kick back for the evening.. play total of 9 minutes footy on Friday arvo.. go back to hotel.. body clock still on NSW Time.. Play another 9-12 minutes of footy.. go home. Omg we are a laughing stock with fans and players alike
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Channel 9 doesn't have the capability for an event like this, with all the other crap they have on. Fox has a dedicated league channel so it was an easy decision. Kayo Sports is only $25 a month
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Drinkwater looked good in the Nines today. Still, your team your call. :thumbup:
GeorgeO
Roar Rookie
"Damien Cook should absolutely run riot in this format." yep that worked out, didn't it
foghorn
Guest
keep dreaming
Rob
Guest
Green is always sending mixed messages to the media. Holmes will be as good to go as any other fullback in the comp. Drinkwater is a bench warm if everyone is fit.
M20
Guest
I'm looking forward to it. Would like to see a second tier version as well
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Gotcha. Footy is only fun if no one gets injured. Better switch off for the year then
mushi
Roar Guru
Personally I find the nines pointless rubbish but hey if there's enough interest all the best to those that enjoy it. If I was a club I'd devote about 0 time to it.
mushi
Roar Guru
The lament around quality is more a progression thing. If concept A lacks purpose or attraction to begin with why devote resources, which then further reduces the attraction. You end up in a spiral of meh
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah Sydney has a terrible global reputation as a city.
Nat
Roar Guru
Politics 101, don't ask a question you don't know the answer too.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
jimmmy, Rob, I hate to say I told you so but... Papi Smurf January 28th 2020 @ 9:45am I’d play Drinkwater at FB and let Holmes find his fitness on the wing. https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/01/28/why-your-team-will-do-better-in-2020-north-queensland-cowboys/?comment_id=7315811#comments-section Green may ease Holmes back into NRL via wing Cowboys coach Paul Green hasn't ruled out easing star signing Valentine Holmes back into the NRL via the wing rather than his preferred fullback position. ...given the NRL's top fullback's average over eight kilometres of running a game and Holmes' NFL training focused on short-burst sprinting, a brief return to the wing could ease pressure on the club's biggest signing since Johnathan Thurston. "My biggest concern was how he handled the transition back into NRL [training] which was a bit different to NFL, how he'd been training" Green said in Perth ahead of the NRL Nines. Bringing Holmes back to the game via the wing, where he has racked up 17 tries in 13 Kangaroos Tests and eight tries in five Origins for Queensland, would put Scott Drinkwater and Ben Hampton into contention to play at fullback. https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/14/green-may-ease-holmes-back-into-nrl-via-wing/ Q.E.D. Valentine Holmes on the wing and Scott Drinkwater at FB to start the season, like I suggrsted. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
defensive edge defences is redundant. I was editing on the fly. Defensive edges or edges defences... take your pick.