Recent reports suggest the Broncos are considering a ten-year, $1 million-plus per season deal for 21-year-old Payne Haas, flaring discussions in the NRL community about lengthy contracts and whether they are a smart option for the club or player.
Some examples of the extensive contracts signed in the NRL include Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo signing a ten-year, $1 million per season deal with North Queensland, and Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans penning an eight-year, $1.3 million per season contract with the Sea Eagles.
Who benefits from a ten-year deal? On the surface, it provides the club with security that their impact player isn’t going anywhere, as well as financial security for the player.
NRL football players don’t have a long career playing in the top grade and therefore it seems a wise decision to lock yourself into a long-term, money-heavy contract.
However, there are just as many downfalls with a contract with such longevity. It is possible the player can lose motivation and hunger after securing such a deal, the average yearly wages can increase due to an increase in the salary cap, and suddenly a million dollar player is a $1.8 million player in the later years of their contract.
Jason Taumalolo (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
On the club’s end, it can be a blessing and a curse. You could end up forking out $1 million-plus a year for a player who suddenly isn’t contributing as he was, and worst case scenario, you’re paying $20k per week for someone to play reserve grade until they redeem themselves.
While there is limited evidence to back these up as these decade-long contracts are a recent talking point, I’m not a strong believer in the instability of these contracts. Four-year contracts can bring out the best of everyone and benefit all parties.
The term ‘rebuilding’ is being thrown around a lot in the NRL world these days, particularly when referencing the Bulldogs and Broncos. As of late, even the Warriors and Tigers have been thrown into the world of “rebuilding”.
It seems that at the start of each season, a rebuild is not even discussed and all teams are contending for the top eight. Half a dozen losses later, “We’re in a rebuilding phase and will be contending for the finals”.
It seems underperforming below expectations is part of the rebuilding phase.
Granted, the Bulldogs have recruited heavily for a genuine chance at the top eight next season, and the Broncos have secured Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell, but have also missed out on some potentially groundbreaking signings such as Nicho Hynes.
I’m not against saying that rebuilding a team from rock bottom doesn’t work – have a look at Parramatta five years ago. It’s just the term is loosely thrown around.
Now, we wait until 2022 where the bottom four teams are “rebuilding”.
In 2021, we have seen an immense number of lopsided games. We see the top six or so teams absolutely crushing the bottom half of the table by 40 minimum. We have seen numbers in the 40s each week, and regularly in the 50s and, on occasion, the 60s.
Pundits have mixed opinions, some blaming the rule changes and speed of the six-again rule and some purely based on the abundance of quality on one side, compared to one severely lacking in all positions.
Fans around the country are switching off their TVs at halftime after the difference in points is over 30 and the game is sealed.
Of course, every round features close matches and even the underdogs coming away with a W, however, the chances of upsets are at their lowest, as well as the bookies’ odds, which are some that have never been seen before in the NRL.
Roarers, how does Peter V’landys captivate his audience again?
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
"The ruck isn’t faster. The wrestle isn’t gone. Play the ball speeds haven’t changed." Too right, I've always had a bit of an OCD in counting the seconds a player is on the ground before tacklers release. Not all game but usually a few sets in a row here and there. Last year the average was 3 seconds, 3.5 and a penalty is blown. This year 3.5 is the average and the set restarts are sometimes blown after 2 seconds, others after 4+. The refs definitely need more consistency here and like you said, in the 10m policing which is an absolute joke each week.
Sean
Guest
I've questined for a few years now where the talent will be found to add another team. This is supposed to be the toughest league comp in the world so these floggings simply shouldn't happen.
Pat
Guest
I'm a fan of a team that wins regularly and I turn off once the match is sealed. Its just boring watching a lop sided affair whether you are for or against the winner. The best games have you on the edge of your seat for 80 minutes. It would be like going to a boxing match a seeing one bloke just throw uncountered combos 1 after the other, there's no contest, no match, no point watching.
Pat
Guest
I'm at the point where I don't even turn on the telly if I know it's going to be lop sided and I used to watch almost every match almost every weekend. But I will say this, the Canberra vs Parramatta match on Thursday night was captivating rugby league to watch and I did watch every minute from start to finish because it was hard and gritty, lots of heart and it wasn't touch football.
mach4
Roar Rookie
NRL is the ONLY reason I turn my tv on.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Streaming isn't included in oztam or regtam ratings
no one in particular
Roar Guru
the last word in your post wasn't necessary
no one in particular
Roar Guru
"Fans around the country are switching off their TVs at halftime after the difference in points is over 30 and the game is sealed." Do we have any numbers on how many are switching off? 10%? 50%? 80%? Are they fans of the losing team? Casual fans? Gamblers who switch off because the over has already hit? We can't address an issue until we know how many and why.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
it wasn't fine then either, it was just a different pile of garbage REMOVE EVERY RULE SINCE 2000!!!
BustlingBillDunn
Roar Rookie
So last night's game was the exception that proves the rule?
bbt
Roar Rookie
An irritating recent introduction to the Channel 9 broadcast is the interview with a sideline player while the game is in progress. Last night's Raiders vs Eels game was at a crucial moment when they crossed to an interview with Jack Wighton. Why?
BustlingBillDunn
Roar Rookie
There's a saying: there are no conspiracies but there are no coincidences either. Of course six-again is responsible for the lopsided scores. I mean seriously, I can't believe we're still arguing it at this point. And of course the answer to these unintended - really bad - consequences is to get rid of six-again. Will that happen? Nope. Corporate suits like Vlandy's don't admit they're wrong. Ever.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Paul,, Last Saturday Night when M.Koro was red carded after 5 minutes, in protest I switched to the NRL, Melbourne were leading 30 nil, no interest. I switched back to the Rugby Test, very glad I did. My mate takes Footy Tab, most games are 13+,one sided.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Be careful what you wish for? Remove the 6 again rule, and you go back to the Storm judo wresting tactics and Roosters strategically holding players down to slow the play. Give me the 6 again anytime of the day. Last night's game Raiders v Eels was 0-0 at half time, shows you what great defence and discipline can achieve.
Tony
Roar Guru
We'll take it
Tom G
Roar Rookie
100% correct. The new rules meant to crack down on the ruck are just a classic bit of gaslighting. As you say it’s the absence if breaks that are causing the blowouts
Paul
Roar Guru
Does putting 50 on the Broncos count seeing just about everyone else has done the same? :laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
Now let me think.......
bbt
Roar Rookie
Are TV audiences down compared to 2019? Is streaming included or just FTA and Foxtel? I am interested in the figures.
Dionysus
Guest
Whilst there is only scant evidence so far, the bits I can find tend to suggest that tv audiences (at least on fox & kayo) are up this year compared to last. The broken nature of the comp makes it hard to compare like with like and must be a massive caveat to any such numbers. But if the limited evidence points to an increase in tv audience then it is illogical to assert that those same audiences are then turning off at half time. If anyone has any evidence to the contrary then I would love to see it but until then, this article is worth naught.