When did bashing the NRL become the socially acceptable form of classism?
In a world that sees so many people walking on egg shells to avoid the prospect of offending people, I’ve had to marvel at the ease in which so many public personalities have been able to level nasty-spirited assertions toward an entire group of people – in this case the rugby league community.
In the wake of the NRL’s plan to restart on May 28, social media hacks and mainstream journalists alike have pilloried the sport with venomous barbs, slamming the code, its administrators, its players and its fans, strongly implying anybody supportive of the sport must be a moron – and a self-interested one at that.
If said commentators were willing to engage in the conversation on the basis of germ theory or the merits of public health policy, then no doubt it would have added a valuable contribution to the public narrative.
But this has rarely happened.
The NRL’s decision to play on at the end of May, now vindicated by a stream of green lights granted from state and federal government health authorities, was instead met with a barrage of childish derision and classist rhetoric.
“What would these NRL d**kheads know about science anyway?” was the not-so-subtle subtext from many public commentators and journalists sporting blue ticks on Twitter.
Here are a few choice tweets that have gained traction in the thousands recently. This one comes from prominent Fairfax cartoonist Cathy Wilcox when referring to the recent social distancing breaches:
No Cathy, you were close though, if you had halved your gratuitous jibe and applied it to yourself you would have been in the ballpark.
But the really worrying aspect of her comment is that this is a woman who has championed a range of commendable causes, like violence against women and affordable housing, and yet when the lens of this ‘presumably’ compassionate view of the world is focussed on a game that has grown from the country’s working-class roots, we get nothing but spurn, condescension and distain.
Here’s another tweet met with much back slapping and smug grins from the followers of veteran journalist Mike Carlton.
Okay Mike, I will have a chat about it since you’ve brought it up, but try not to choke on your expensive Penfolds Bin 95 Shiraz while the battlers are speaking.
Imagine for a moment we removed the words “NRL players” in your statement in exchange for another eclectic group of people, like, let’s say, women? Or the elderly? Because if he had Mike would have been de-platformed quicker than a carnivore at a kale festival.
But it seems to chastise an entire group of people on the basis of the actions of a few, so long as they support the game of rugby league, doesn’t only make you immune to such social sanctions, it warrants collective commendation, as though the view has somehow made the world a better place.
Well, they don’t. They are bigoted views. And bigotry is a corrosive force that makes the world a less inviting and less enjoyable place.
Now, is the NRL filled with constantly law-abiding neurologists? No. The sport continues to grapple with problems like domestic violence, drug addiction, gambling, to name just a few.
But the social problems this cohort of privileged commentators would have you believe has been cultivated within the confines of the game is simply not accurate.
After all, these are the same issues experienced more prevalently by people in low socio-economic brackets, the data is out there for all to see. Rugby league is a mirror for scourges such as alcoholism and domestic violence, it is not the author of them.
And when you look at the great strides the NRL has taken in recent times to stamp out these problems in the game, it makes this contempt for rugby league, and everybody in it, even more galling.
Penalties are harsher than they’ve ever been for anti-social behaviour, a great deal of funding has been invested into mental health programs to counsel players suffering from depression, a proven precursor to violence and alcoholism, and inclusivity has been at the forefront of the game’s modern direction.
This is evidenced by the NRL’s latest season campaign push, the message is clear, come one come all, so long as you love the game, we want you here too.
(Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
You would think these landmark gains would be met with a softening from the elite, but it hasn’t, if anything it seems to have strengthened their resolve.
The shoves seems harder now than ever to keep the blue collar game away from the sophisticated people’s dinner parties and this, I’m afraid ladies and gentlemen, is classism in the raw.
Perhaps most shockingly of all, these sneering slurs have invariably come from the people who claim to be the most vocal about protecting the country’s less fortunate. Left wing journos, social activists, academics, Peter FitzSimons – there’s a concerning pattern here.
In the interests of full disclosure, I too consider myself to be left leaning. I believe a country should be judged by how well it treats its weakest members, a fact that makes this prejudiced phenomenon all the more unnerving for someone such as myself.
So my message to these brazen NRL bashers is this, make no mistake, if you’re deriding everybody associated with the NRL for being drunks, rapists and stupid, you’re not making some highbrow intellectual point, you’re no better than an aristocrat laughing at the poor.
So please spread the word around your respective country clubs and croquet tournaments, the NRL is willing to accept your membership now, we don’t discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability, we hope you get there one day too.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Is that why Gallen lost to Hall? Yes, Hall wanted 2m rounds, however, Gallen didn't need to agree to it. Gallen didn't need to agree to any of the conditions, but he did. Hall was coming off several years of not doing much as opposed to a recently retired player. Masculine nature? What has that got to do with the game - get ball run headfirst into someone else repeat. Masculinity is not a skill. Unless you are trying to say masculinity equates to stupidity, especially these days with concussion becoming a major issue in health. Doubt an NRL player would have much endurance compared to the other codes of football, with soccer and AFL players covering anywhere between 8 to 15km's a game. Strength may be the main area of dominance by the NRL, not sure of other areas.
Mick
Guest
No it doesn’t. Whilst there is more money in rl today I would argue that the playing pool comes from an even poorer stratum of society than it has in the past. Whereas as recently as the 80s and early 90s many rl players were from genuinely working class/lower middle class backgrounds I think that a huge swathe of current nrl players are from single parent/housing commission/‘underclass’ type environments. It’s part of why I feel justified in being a passionate rugby league fan and left wing. Class is even more pertinent when it comes to rl today.
Don
Roar Rookie
So some people criticise the NRL for trying to start the competition early? The same number of people criticise the Government for the restrictions in the first place and then ongoing. Some people say NRL players are dumb? Plenty of people used to say teachers were lazy until they had to home school their kids. And Rugby League writers and pundits are never averse to taking shots at Rugby, Soccer and others below them on the broadcast popularity scale. Point out the global reach of those sports and the response always comes back life “only care about Australia.” This attitude that Rugby League is a “working class” game is exactly what holds the game back from broader appeal. The spruikers of the game wear it like a badge of honour and denigrate attempts to lift profile and broaden appeal. I’ve played and followed Rugby and Rugby League all my life. I’m as embarrassed by the antics and misdeeds of NRL players as I am by the woeful administration of Rugby Australia. Does the author expect social commentators to say nice things and refrain from negativity or controversy? Does he not understand the value of clicks and CTR? Step One; Comment about all NRL players being dumb. Step 2; Defend your position when challenged and as more and more NRL supporters pile on. Result; you’ve probably got quite a few more followers waiting for your next attack on the NRL who will read your other tweets and commentary in the hope there’s something else that offends them. Net Result; $
Mark Young
Roar Guru
"In the interests of full disclosure, I too consider myself to be left leaning." Aimon my friend! It sounds to me like you are about to take the red pill. Good Luck I have a massive issue with people criticising the Sport if they aren't invested in it. I don't really care about AFL but I don't criticise it (anymore) since I really am not a stakeholder in the game in any way. Fitz, Carlton, Wilcox etc - If League died their lives would not change in the slightest. Kent, Weidler, Rothfield - If League died they would be hurting as much as any fan. In my opinion, the caring Leftists you cite in this article (Fitz, Carlton, Wilcox) love to mock and denigrate as much as any right wing shock jock, they just have different targets. It is not the principle, it's the side.
MW7
Guest
Nat, there are always plenty of disparaging comments on RU articles from RL fans. Fair enough if you don't read them, but they do exist.
MW7
Guest
All fair points. However RL seems to beat itself up (and talk itself up) as well as any other game.
In brief
Guest
Except when RU came first and second in the Gatorade sprint or when Quade Cooper won the greatest athlete, which by the way Simon Poidovin won a few decades earlier ...
westernred
You can be bigoted about anything. The games will always suffer from its working class roots, for working class roots should be dug up and poisoned before they get too uppity.
westernred
This is true and increasingly so. Rugby League expects to be kicked in the guts because it always has been. Except maybe from 92_ 95. Other codes are jealous of the masculine nature of the game. Anytime rugby league goes up against other sports we win. Boxing, Australia's greatest athlete etc. The next day the media have to do a four page spread to cover their wounds. Can you imagine an NRL player turned coach stalking a women in women's clothes? None of these feel sorry stories about how tough it is being an NRL player or coach. It would be lock him up and disband the game. Never going to change. Except V'landys? Maybe. Fort head honcho standing up for the game in a very long time.
Celtic Bandaid
Guest
Just Googled Cathy Wilcox Apologies I didn't realise who she was Never heard of her Shes funny Some might say as funny as a burning orphanage But I'm not one of those people Anyway sure someone finds her a big influence and a great hoot Anyway People love you Cathy Why wouldn't they ? You are superior I just didn't realise it
westernred
The bagging of rugby league has been going on since it's inception and will continue unabated. Lost count of the number of transgressions by NRL players that are dealt with far more (sometimes 10 or 20 times) more harshly than the AFL for similar behaviour. Read The Australian comments from the Rugby Union paper. The Working Class are able to do stuff rather than talk stuff and this irks many. They are also more likely to think for themselves and not suck up when the rest will. They will die for their country and their mates and are hated for it.
Celtic Bandaid
Guest
Plus Pasher Bulker will remain stuck on Nobbys Beach, Donald Trump will never be elected President of the USA, We could go on
Armidale Armadillo
Guest
I've noticed alot of sooking on Twitter by people from Queensland and Western Sydney begging people to stop bagging and laughing at Rugby League. I can't believe it warrants an article
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah , I agree with that, we are really nice people . Thanks for the support.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Just cos you don’t like the guy’s opinion, no need to be an R-sole.
A. Valente
Guest
The poor Rugby League community picked on again! Can everybody please stop picking on them.
max power
Guest
well said passer "whataboutry"
max power
Guest
pathetic attempt trying to substitute women for footballers. with the long list of transgressions by the cohort of 300 NRL players , i htink its fair game people make generalisations especially with regards to anti vaxxers who learnt their ideas from a whack job blog
Tara
Guest
I agree ,good job Aimon
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Peter Fitzsimmons, When was the last time he backed a winner? 2019 State Elections? 2019 Federal Elections ?, Republic ?, Antagonism to people who drink?