More people than ever are up in arms about how the NRL is currently being run. However, the reality is that they are all totally wasting their breath.
If screaming pointlessly into the void is your thing, go right ahead. But understand that at best all you’ll get is some half-assed knee jerk from NRL HQ and nothing more.
The only way there will ever be any real change in the way the game is run – and who runs it – is through revolution.
Only complete upheaval of the current way the top tier of the game is structured and run in Australia will achieve real change.
However, the likelihood of revolution is tiny because so many of us remember what happened last time with horror.
When the game gained great popularity in the late 80s and early 90s it became worth real money. The resultant Super League War saw two very rich people fight it out to try and take control of the game.
In the end, after that fight had split the competition and destroyed masses of the game’s popularity, there was a negotiated settlement.
The big change to come out of it was who then controlled the game. No longer was it the ARL, or the NSWRL, or the QRL. It was now a company.
Now, from what I can see, the NRL and the ARLC are effectively closed shops that don’t care about what anyone thinks – not the clubs, not the NSWRL or the QRL, not the country rugby leagues, and positively not the fans.
While the NSWRL, the QRL and the sixteen clubs all technically have a voice on decisions, anything short of unanimous action carried out by those parties is unlikely to effect what the NRL does, or how they do it, on anything other than a surface level.
And the chances of that unanimous action ever taking place are unbelievably small.
The upshot of all of that is that we can complain about the NRL and how it is run all we like, but bugger all is ever likely to change at all.
We can complain about the officiating until we are blue in the face, often with excellent reason. However, with the exception of the occasional official being scapegoated to try and quell club and fan outrage, the selection of the referees and bunker officials will continue to be purely at the discretion of, well, whomever has been deciding on them.
We will continue to see things like Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh Papalii and Herman Ese’ese getting sent off in a crack down on protecting the head, while nothing at all happens to others – for example, the Storm’s Felise Kaufusi, who smashed Corey Norman in the face with a forearm and wasn’t even charged, let alone sin binned or sent off.
Just accept that reality people.
We can scream until our voices are hoarse about the inconsistencies in what the NRL’s Match Review Committee decides to charge and not to charge, but we won’t change that one iota. In fact, try and find out just who is on the MRC and how they were chosen and by whom.
Go ahead. Try.
If you can find any information on any of that you’re doing better than me. And while that’s the situation, we’ll continue to see the likes of the Kaufusi incident and Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson’s knuckles deep in Josh Hodgson’s skull go straight through to the keeper.
Tyrell Fuimaono of the Dragons is sent off for an alleged illegal shot on Ryan Papenhuyzen. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Nothing to see here people. Move along.
It is just the way it is.
We can go absolutely off our brains about trainers roaming free across every NRL field, in direct contravention of the NRL’s own Operations Manual and nothing will be done to actually stop it.
Even when a trainer illegally interfered with the play during the NRL grand final, very arguably affecting the result, the NRL didn’t even suspend or fine that trainer, and – even more inexplicably – they didn’t sack Operations Manager Nathan McGuirk who – despite multiple warnings of the risks, totally failed to enforce the rules so as to remove that totally unnecessary risk.
Why didn’t they do either of those things? And why does Alfie Langer seem to be on the field as much as ever? Because the NRL could not give two hoots about it. They are totally ok with that state of affairs. Why? Who the hell knows!
And they don’t care at all that you aren’t.
It is for the best that you come to terms with it.
We can openly question (without suggesting any wrongdoing) how Andrew Abdo, or Graham Annesley, or Jared Maxwell, or any of the other people filling roles at NRL HQ actually got their jobs, what processes were run for those positions, what qualifications and experience were required, and what candidates they beat out.
Andrew Abdo. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
However, you aren’t ever likely to find out. Those filling the roles in NRL HQ aren’t ever likely to tell the likes of any of us. And they really don’t give a crap what we think.
So best you suck it up Princes and Princesses!
We do, conversely, know who is on the ARLC Board but, with the notable exception of Wayne Pearce, we have little-to-no idea how or why each was selected for their roles, or by whom, or how the process was managed. And we aren’t going to.
Why? Because the NRL is effectively a closed shop. The number one priority of the organisation is to make a profit through selling the game as an entertainment product.
Here is the cold, hard fact for all of you saying that the game is in ruins: viewers are up 14 per cent on last year.
As far as the NRL is concerned, everything is going swimmingly.
We can all swim around in our sea of excrement-smelling outrage as much as we like. As far as NRL HQ is concerned – and whomever it is that they answer to – everything is in great shape.
It ain’t broke so they aint going to fix it.
Into this mix comes ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys.
I may just be the only rugby league fan left that likes him.
Why?
Because I believe he actually likes the game, maybe even loves it.
I believe that before he became involved with the ARLC that he actually followed the game and enjoyed it. Unlike Peter Beattie who couldn’t even name the clubs, or David Smith who clearly had zero affinity with the sport at all, V’landys is a rugby league man.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
In spite of all of the nay-sayers and detractors out there – and don’t get me wrong, there are lots of good reasons for your issues – I believe he has the game’s best interests at heart.
Sure, the crackdown on contact with the head was done poorly, but I’ve been calling for that to be prioritised for years. Yes, the new rules to speed up the game were ill conceived and have caused more issues than they were intended to solve.
But at least he’s having a crack.
In the last 20 years only Todd Greenberg’s short lived sin bin revival can be compared to V’landys’ efforts.
And I believe that he just might be the man to open up the NRL closed shop and try and get the best people for each role into each job, and cast off the incompetent deadwood who have somehow gained those roles.
Let me encourage you all to see Peter V’landys not as the problem, but as the potential saviour of rugby league.
Because your alternative option is revolution, and that just isn’t going to happen.
And it’s time that you all just accept that truth.
Tim Gore
Expert
But seriously... "Crash" are you saying that all of the things I've raised are being handled well by NRL HQ, you are happy with them and that the concerns I've raised have no validity? Or are you just saying "ner nee ner nee ner ner, we are NRL HQ, you aren't. We don't have to listen to a word you say and no one can make us, especially not you Fat Head!" I'm suspecting it is the latter and that completely supports what I say in this article. BTW Nathan, you forgot to add "Written and Authorised by NRL HQ, Moore Park Sydney."
clipper
Roar Rookie
You obviously don't live in the inner city, north shore or eastern suburbs~. GWS still gets more people to attend that a few NRL clubs.
clipper
Roar Rookie
The Swans got 78k this Saturday - on a secondary channel. That puts in in the top 10 of all shows in Sydney that night. Not as good as ratings as NRL, but not too bad.
clipper
Roar Rookie
I'm not from Melbourne, but Sydney, but I try and stay objective. Sydney is a better city overall, but, really, Melbourne beats it hands down for going out, dining and entertainment options.
Gj64
Guest
Mate you have got to be joking right
Bee bee
Guest
Stats can be used to prove anything you want “Forfteenth percent of people know that.”
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
At least there is some international in NRL
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
Karl, are you from Victoria?
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
You are correct Chris
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
No it doesn’t mean it’s well run, people turn up in Melbourne no matter what. They have no life
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
It doesn’t matter about the swans! There are more indicators to popularity of a game. Eg. tv ratings, radio ratings, Foxtel, Kayo, and general talk about NRL at a pub. Karl and others have this infatuation with crowds.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
Perth I think isn’t going to happen. I actually worked with some of the original Western Reds back in the day (which tells you how old I am)... I think they’ll take QLD out of play for the AFL by flooding the field .. that’s the play I think.
Maximus Insight
Guest
" You may be right. AFL May be better run. But you are ensconced in a bubble of near brainwash scale that wouldn’t allow you to contemplate any other scenario. So. With all due respect. Your opinion is neutered." "To clarify. And to hopefully extricate myself from this maelstrom. Code warring is one of the lowest pursuits in human history. All of you engaging in this endless battle of ‘my game da best’. Are an embarrassment to yourselves and your families. " The only thing you have clarified is your own self ignorance, seriously. Apparently you can't have any discussion around the relevant merits of sports (or in this case their management) because that is "code warring" and which is the "lowest point in human history". That is the "clarity" you thought you needed to provide from your elevated moral vista to your assertion that if you are an AFL fan you are brainwashed and incapable of independent thought My experience is that the people that resort to such emotive and hyperbolic rhetoric are the most incapable of the coherent independent thought - particularly those that have pretensions to some higher level of objectivity. Ridiculous people
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I could spend all day bagging Peter Beattie for all sorts of reasons, but criticising him for not knowing which team represented the Sutherland Shire is a bit unfair. Beattie is a Queenslander, and shouldn’t be expected to have an intimate knowledge of Sydney geography to automatically associate the Sharks with the Sutherland Shire. It’s like asking the average New South Welshman which team operates out of Red Hill - not exactly forbidden knowledge, but still pretty obscure for any NRL fan outside of Brisbane. In short, I agree Peter Beattie sucks.
Rob9
Roar Guru
You don’t think the NRL already has dominance in QLD? By your title, I’m guessing you’re not from QLD? As someone who lives in QLD, I can tell you what Rugby League has here is as close as you’ll find to dominance. Certainly a 2nd Brisbane team is overdue and what is it PVL is saying? A 5th team by 27’? That’s definitely achievable. I’d say the Sunshine Coast will be ready as a League heartland, a big and booming population and located an hour away from the Broncos and whatever the new entity is. The NRL is talking big about NZ2 but I agree the conditions there are far from favorable. If for nothing else other than the fact that their 2nd largest city is a comparable size to Canberra and they treat rugby like religion there. Adelaide isn’t ready yet but Perth will never happen? I beg to differ. A large population that includes a significant number of east coast and kiwis expats. Selling out Origin and pulling close to HBF’s capacity for the games that are taken out there each season. Sure the NRL isn’t in the AFL’s position where they can throw good money after bad to prop up their expansion teams, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Perth is a very viable expansion option.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
That’s not what PVL seems to be going for... I think QLD strategy - if he pulls it off -can give NRL dominance in QLD. The risk is that you end up with five weak QLD teams that nobody follows... also having such a concentration of teams in QLD/NSW means the NRL will be effectively letting go of ambitions to be a national competition. The upside could be having thriving QLD teams and weekly games at Suncorp stadium. I do think Adel. Perth and NZ2 are just talk - will never happen.
Mitcher
Guest
To clarify. And to hopefully extricate myself from this maelstrom. Code warring is one of the lowest pursuits in human history. All of you engaging in this endless battle of ‘my game da best’. Are an embarrassment to yourselves and your families. Seriously. If you were debating r@ce. It’d be called a thing. But you’re debating this. Get lives. They’re all games. And most of them are pretty awesome. Rugby league (not NRL - the league) and Australian Rules Football (not AFL - the league).
Mitcher
Guest
I’m an AFL fan. Admittedly raised in Sydney. But from the teat of South Australian parents. My dad a fan of the mighty Red Legs. You may be right. AFL May be better run. But you are ensconced in a bubble of near brainwash scale that wouldn’t allow you to contemplate any other scenario. So. With all due respect. Your opinion is neutered.
armc2906
Roar Rookie
Really interesting article Tim! I've no doubt Peter V'landys loves the game. Unfortunately that and the fact he's from Sydney seems to win over most of the NSWRL mafia. That highlights the problem and Sydney-centric approach of the game's thinking and much of the commentary. He's (apparently) done a great job at Racing NSW, he gave it the Victorians by launching the Everest, the richest race on turf and he loves rugby league so we love him! The inaugural ARL commissioner, John Grant was a Queenslander, who brought in another outsider in David Smith, a man with an outstanding resume in the business world, to run the game as a business. Grant was rolled collectively by the Sydney clubs and Smith was never accepted precisely because he was an outsider. Then Peter Beattie, again a Queenslander heaven forbid, is rolled along with Todd Greenberg because they dared try to invest in a standalone digital arm for the NRL, modelled on plenty of leagues around the world; and an investment that had the potential to weaken the grip of television networks. Naturally the likes of Foxsports hated that idea and campaigned endlessly about "head office excess." PVL comes in, slashes the digital arm and immediately wins over the tv networks because it tied the NRL to them. But seriously, if either Grant or Beattie were putting themselves out there and seemingly making decisions on behalf of the commission to the level of PVL, they would have been run out of town. The commission as it stands basically bends on the whim of the chairman, while Abdo, the CEO and 'captain's pick' as it seems, takes a backward seat. I'd argue, the transparency and governance of the game has gone backwards since Vlandy's took over and his repeated thought bubbles are doing the game more harm than good.
Nat
Roar Guru
I agree. He and the commission should be over seeing everything and TBF we only see the NRL/public interest side. I'm not directly involved with my local club to know of any specific changes, suffice to say COVID made things very tough, nearly to the point of amalgamation. I'm involved enough to know of any drastic changes at multiple BRL levels and clubs. There was a mandate to only sell XXXX associated products which was crap. That was QRL though.