Just for context, I’m an Aussie based in Madrid. My kids haven’t left our flat since we locked down 32 days ago.
So far, my adopted country has lost nearly 20,000 citizens to coronavirus, so I don’t take this crisis lightly, not by any means. That said, following my teams – Tigers and Broncos – for the first two rounds was a real boon. It was a daily reminder of what normal used to look like.
I signed up to the NRL streaming service, I rationed myself to one match each evening after the kids went to bed. Then the competition stopped.
NRL clubs and players are arrogant, ignorant and selfish for initially continuing to play and now trying to start up again: Nope, I don’t buy that.
For both pragmatic reasons and warm fuzzy emotional ones, any professional sports that safely can get back onto the field, should do so.
This pandemic is an economic wrecking ball. Every million dollars that sports can generate for themselves and their associated stake holders, is a million bucks that won’t have to be found by the taxpayer, borrowed at interest or sourced from deep-pockets with perhaps their own agenda for the game.
In warm and fuzzy terms, as I mentioned in the opening, I’m 32 days into a lock down; not the ‘light’ version you have over there. We only leave the flat to do the shopping, that’s it.
I read books, play with the kids, Facetime with friends. But when the footy stopped, I couldn’t pretend anymore.
Lock down suddenly felt a lot less like an interminable long weekend and exactly like what it is. So that’s it, that’s my warm and fuzzy.
One positive and one ugly note: The NRL seems to have avoided the bloodletting Australian rugby is inflicting upon itself. Also, Peter V’landys and co. appeared to show real leadership in keeping the competition running for as long as appeared rational.
Pete V’landys (Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Two rounds in and everything changed. After a few false starts, players, coaches, clubs and CEOs seemed to quickly find a common page and stay on it. Fair enough. So that’s the positive.
Now for the ugly. The one universal in this pandemic is the unpredictability. That makes risk assessment and relaxing of restrictions fraught with danger.
Understandably then, trying to get the NRL up and running again is wickedly complicated. Hence, I have all the patience in the world for thought bubbles, start dates only pencilled in and conflicting narratives. And yet, with all the good will in the world, some ideas just stink.
Rugby union players are likely to face a much longer stand down than in the NRL. Given the horrendous nature of the crisis here in Europe and the international nature of Super Rugby, they are dealing with an altogether more complicated scenario.
And here comes the ugly. Michael Chammas in the SMH sees this as an opportunity to recruit idle players like Quade Cooper, Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams.
How on earth is this the time to go inking deals with a raft of high-profile code hoppers? Normally I love the concept.
I was chuffed that Ben Teo did so well in rugby and was gutted that Benji Marshall didn’t. The idea of Quade playing league is awesome.
Would it work? Who knows! But I know I’d be watching. However, now is not the time. Everyone in the game is either on half pay or no pay.
And when the ARLC chairman is spruiking government financial aid, something I support by the way, you don’t go scouting idle All Blacks to see if they want a crack at an NRL grand-final.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Chris, I have many friends who had parents who came to this country post war and made it grow . People who wanted to embrace what this country had to offer, not turn it into a replication of where they come from. My Grandparents on my Fathers side brought their Scottish traditions after WWI and so did many other peoples from around Europe but they all became Aussies. BTW in regard to Jacko, I respect him as a player because he is always so solid and in the mould of a Cordner always prepared to stand up and have a go even when the team is getting beaten. I do not compliment him because he is family from Mudgee way but because I respect him as a player. Cheers
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
My goodness ND, you've been everywhere! - and, as a 'westie', I'm well aware of the Bosnjaks/Westbus. The 90's was not a good time for Slavs. My father passed away in '98 and both he and my mother were appalled with what happened over there. As refugees from WW2 they both became pacifists. (I'm seriously not surprised that you had had to break up the odd Slav 'scuffle' mate!) My parents never went back to Europe - they became naturalised Aussies in the 50's and travelled extensively throughout Australia (- when retired they drove from Sydney to Perth and back - the best trip of their lives!). They were given a new start here and fully adopted many aspects of the Australian lifestyle - barbies, beaches, the odd brew, and the Berries! So ND, you went to school at Easts Hill primary, had drinks with Terry Lamb in Bass Hill, lived in Georges Hall, and, from memory, you've always had complementary things to say about Jacko and yet you're not a Berry/Bulldog! From your history I can see why you're a Rooster ND however if you change your mind just get rid of the red part of your jersey mate to leave the blue and white! We'd gladly have you! ;)
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Mate I actually ran a third of the Sydney metropolitan area for the Bosnjak family when they still owned Westbus. Yes I know about firery relationships having a lot of Yugoslavians drivers at both Edensor Park depot and at Northmead where my office was situated and I had to step in & break up the odd fist fight in the lunch room during the early 90’s My Mother’s fathers side of the family came from Bathurst but were in Sydney by the 1930’s. Chris I keep out the closet you never know who you might find in there I shall have to stick with the Roosters having had a 52 year journey together . Mate I am told by people that knew the bloke that Frank Hyde was one of natures gentlemen and I loved his footy calls.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
My parents were Slavs ND - my mother being Croatian and father Serbian! (...that was one fiery relationship that lasted many decades). Of course, back in the late 40's they both came from what was then referred to as Yugoslavia. The interesting thing is that they actually met in Australia - a migrant camp in Bathurst - as fate would have it. I've never shared a pint with Baa but have shared a few brews with Geoff Robinson and had the fortune of having drinks with Bob McCarthy and Frank Hyde - all top blokes. Mate, I can see a closet Bulldog supporter in you! :laughing:
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Chris, where did your parents come from? I have more immigrant mates than you can poke a blunt stick at. Funnily I also lived in Georges Hall for about 12 years. My neighbours were all maniac dogs supporters, except Ray Price who lived down the road. I have in fact shared a brew or two with Terry Lamb at the Twin Willows pub which was just up the road near the old drive in at Bass Hill.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
We could use you at the moment ND! Thank you for indulging my interests as I have never (NEVER) met an Easts supporter in my six decades on this planet. I appreciate your candour and this dialogue! For the record, my parents were 'new Australian' refugees who settled in south west Sydney and my father took us to a Berries match - I've been blue and white ever since. Off topic (again) : I noticed that your niece is an epidemiologist. I'm a biochemist and I've been receiving molecular data from o/s about COVID-19. I wish her well - this is a tough one! #GoBulldogs ;)
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
it is mate probably would have been a Bulldogs supporter had things not changed with the move to Melbourne
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"....went to East hills primary school.." ...part of the Canterbury-Bankstown league if I'm correct - the East Hills Bulldogs. Good story ND! :thumbup:
Madrid John
Guest
Hi Noosa Duck. What's your mate say about immunology? If you've been exposed are you covered then in future? If people could become re-infected, well, then that's really scary. The stats over here suggest that isn't the case. Though deaths are falling, which is great, new infections are plummeting which is freaking fabulous!!!
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
John, the reason they are easing the restrictions over your way is because the weather is warming ...you are in Spring heading into summer up north.......we are the opposite going into winter. the only thing this virus has in common with the flu is that they both operate best in cold weather. Not only is my nice a Dr of Epidemiology I have a mate that is a research scientist at Brisbane Uni and he has seen this thing under a microscope and describes it as really scary. He described it as making influenza look like a runny nose in comparison. They do not know if this thing will go dormant and like influenza raise its ugly head in winter. They are working 24/7 to try to understand the DNA of this thing.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Mate I am a Sydney boy, went to East hills primary school before my old man got transferred to Melbourne in his job. So went to high school in Melbourne and probably would have stayed there but a twist of fate saw the old man urgently needed in Sydney. As fate had it in need of a location close to the city the old man rented a 3 bed room unit in Ocean St Bondi (which they later purchased) and as we did in Melbourne decided to follow the local team which was Easts & St Kilda in Melbourne as we lived at Elsternwick down there in those days. We were actually a Rugby family my old man having played for Drummoyne (the dirty reds) prior to WWII and some games after. But we only got Rugby league match of the day replays on TV in Melbourne so we both became Easts supporters & members of the Leagues Club. The old man actually knew NIck Politis quite well but he was only a club sponsor through City Ford in those days.
Madrid john
Guest
Hi Forty. Seems fair. The start date seems to be four weeks away. A lot can happen it that time. Even here they’re starting to ease restrictions.
Madrid john
Guest
I’m not biased at all but I thought he’d be a great fit at the Tigers. :happy:
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
...haha....a roof with a synthetic ball?! I'm a 60's child ND and have never played AFL - it just didn't exist in south-west Sydney back then. Without wanting to pry, but how the f... did you become an Easts supporter ND....as you're moniker is Qld based? (feel free to disregard this question - it IS none of my business!).
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Chris, that was back in the 1950's playing school footy. When we went to Melbourne for about 8 years I played Aussie Rules during the 1960's and I can tell you that playing Aussie rules with a wet leather footy was no joy I can tell you.Those blokes down in Melbourne these days do not know how good they have things, synthetic leather and a bloody roof over the stadium in case the little darlings might get wet......arghhhh!! :rugby: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Mate , we're both 0 from 2 BUT I have a feeling that your squad has a couple of gears over us -at the moment! (off topic - I read about you playing with leather balls and paspalum and had to laugh as I was there in the early 70's playing for Liverpool City (NSW) which had the same colours as your Roosters. On many occasions I played on fields of paspalum and had the odd knock from a heavy league ball hitting the old noggin - good times!) ;)
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
The way that the Chooks started the season you may get your wish if they get back on the field this season..
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"I miss the footy too……." ....absolutely ND. The Bulldogs beating Easts is always a highlight for mine! ;)
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
FT my niece's daughter holds a doctorate in Epidemiology and she is working on research on this thing . They truly do not know enough about it and come the colder months Bunnings & like may have to be closed down,
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
John I hope you and your family stay safe , hopefully as you get into the northern summer and the virus calms to what we currently have here. You are correct in your statement about this pandemic being an economic wrecking ball, however we should not jump the gun here in Australia. Yes we have done well keeping the thing under control but we are yet to hit our winter so we are heading for uncharted waters here in Australia. We need to remember that this virus was born in a Northern China city in winter which I am told is the only common denominator it actually has with influenza, a winter virus. If we jump the gun too early here we could really wreck things badly. sadly we all need to be patient for a bit longer. I miss the footy too.......