Fixing the NRL Salary Cap (2013)

The absurdity of the second tier salary cap has reared its head quite emphatically in the past week due to the circumstances that have prevented talented Penrith rookie Fullback Matt Moylan not being allowed to play because his match payments would exceed the club’s second tier salary cap and thus, put the Panthers over the cap.

With the number of players seeking massively increased salaries with the cap increase, it means there is a very real potential that a team could be hit as hard by injuries as Penrith have been this year and they will have to choose between fielding less than 17 players on game day, playing an injured player, or exceeding the salary cap.

This situation should never take place.

Basically speaking, the NRL salary cap covers the top 25 players at each club. The NYC squads have their own cap as well. The second tier cap is used to cover those who play in the NRL, on match payments only, and who aren’t members of the NRL and NYC squads.

This leads to a number of issues, some of which have been fleetingly discussed over the years but with no action.

*It forces NRL clubs to use NYC players to cover injuries in the NRL, instead of older players in feeder clubs or other competitions. This has often been criticised as it can lead to greater injuries, especially long term, to the younger players. A lot of these players aren’t up to NRL standard at the time either, which is why the NYC is in place.

This is a major reason why a genuine Reserve Grade competition must be reinstated, as a stepping stone between NYC and NRL. Instead of a second tier salary cap, have a reserve grade cap. Three grades worth of players should be able to cover injuries without any concerns.

*Since 2007, there have been just 5 instances out of 96, where a team has used 25 players or less in a year (2013 not included). These were Souths (2012) 25 players, Manly (2012) 24 players, Manly (2011) 25 players, Manly (2010) 24 players and New Zealand Warriors (2007) 23 players.

This is a breakdown of the number of players a squad used in a season for the years 2007-2012 (inclusive):

23 players – 1

24 players – 2

25 players – 2

26 players – 8

27 players – 13

28 players – 18

29 players – 16

30 players – 10

31 players – 10

32 players – 5

33 players – 6

34 players – 1

36 players – 2

37 players – 1

38 players – 1

With this data it is clear to see that having an NRL squad of 25 is too small as it is very rare that a club uses 25 players or less.

If the NRL squad size was increased from 25 players to 30 and the salary cap increased by $880,000 it would almost abolish the sort of crazy circumstances that prevent young talented players like Matt Moylan from being forced to miss playing in the NRL due to some accounting by-law.

Reinstating a genuine reserve grade competition, of which every club must have a side (as they do in the NYC) would completely prevent this sort of absurdity from happening ever again.

It would also mean more advertising space for sponsors, more games to televise, more games on game day, better value for money for fans, fans at games for longer, less long term and severe injuries to the young talent coming through the NYC system and a stronger NRL competition.

Everyone wins.

An Interview With Rebecca Wilson (2013)

Rebecca Wilson is known by rugby league fans as a nefarious opinion writer, whose works fall on the creative side of the writing art form.

In an effort to allow her to reveal her true feelings towards the game and to explain herself, she didn’t agree to this interview.

This is an interview with Rebecca Wilson, but it is a case of art imitating life. I have carried out this interview using the very techniques that have been tried and tested by Rebecca herself.

Hello Rebecca, bad to meet you.
RW: I’m happy to be here.
First of all I have to ask, Rebecca, do you hate Rugby League?
RW: No. I’m a fan of the game. I just do not like the players or the fans.
Thank you for being so honest. May I ask a personal question?
RW: Sure.
Have you ever done something wrong like breaking the law, maybe something immoral or other similar things that you knew was wrong, while you have been in your current profession?
RW: I’m sure we all have done things that we know were wrong.
Did you get harangued in the media and by the population for all of these wrongs?
RW: Why should I?
Because you hold an important position in the media where you can persuade people to alter their opinions on a subject, as you have access to sources.
RW: What is a sources?
Inside information. People with intimate knowledge of an incident that may not be in the public domain.
RW: Is that what they are?
Well yes. What did you think they were?
RW: Stuff I made up for my column.
You mean ideas.
RW: No, I mean sources.
So, why are you so compelled to lay the boot into rugby league ad-nauseum, despite your own admittedly similar wrong-doings?
RW: Because it is a cash cow.
Is that cow related to you?
RW: Who?
Rhetorical question, sorry. Moving on, what would rugby league need to do to see you write positive articles about it all the time, highlighting the dearth of good work that goes on by players and clubs, unnoticed?
RW: Integrity and accountability would be a good start.
Would you be inclined to meet them halfway in that quest?
RW: Are there suggestions that I have no integrity or accountability?
Calling them suggestions would be naïve if I were to be completely honest with you.
RW: I believe I have no semblance of integrity or accountability. Never have. Never will.
Okay. Let’s change the tone a bit. Do you know much about rugby league, the game, not the rumours and gossip?
RW: I’m of the belief I do.
Which team do you support?
RW: The Cronulla ASADA Essendon’s.
That’s not a team.
RW: Yes it is. I almost comically, became one of their cheerleaders.
Really? Who got the cheerleader roles instead of you then?
RW: Kate Lundy and Jason Clare.
Figures. Rebecca, what do you consider to be the one great gift you have that separates you from the vast amount of writing talent in this country who are unable to get a cushy gig like you have?
RW: I must say, with great glee, I can start a witch-hunt better than anybody.
And that’s something you’re proud of?
RW: As far as a good witch-hunt is concerned, I am the messiah.
Do you consider yourself to be unique in your field?
RW: Because I’m a woman?
No, because you write gossip and hearsay and pass it off as fact. You have quite a bad reputation for publishing stories that haven’t been verified.
RW: I have colleagues who produce the very same dreadfully, almost comically bad, stuff that I do, like Phil Rothfield.
I can’t argue with you there. It’s just remarkable that they all manage to work for the same paper don’t you think?
RW: There are rogues in the ranks of the media, I admit.
Rogues is being generous isn’t it Rebecca?
RW: Yes it is.
Okay, penultimate question, using 5 words, how would you describe the ethics of the newspaper you work for?
RW: Circling wolves, judge and jury.
And finally, using 5 words, how would you describe yourself?
RW: highly paid, bad, without substance.
Rebecca Wilson, thanks for wasting my time.
RW: I have to bolt to the can, apparently it is full of sources for my next story.
Okay, bye bye.


All words attributed to Rebecca Wilson are taken from her following articles:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226650177032

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226619397056

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226640003412

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226635006210

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226598496568

NRL & Channel Nineteen Ninety Nine (2013)

Late in August 2012, the Australian Rugby League Commission secured a $1.025 billion TV rights deal over 5 years.

In a time where people don’t ask questions, they go to Google; where people don’t buy DVD’s or CD’s, they download them from a multitude of platforms; where radio stations are online, you would think that the NRL and it’s accomplices would do what it can to maximise it’s exposure and reach by utilising the wonderful technology known to roughly 99.9% of the world.

The Internet.

Sadly though, it seems those involved in making decisions regarding the exposure of Rugby League across the internet are part of 0.01% who have no idea what an internet is.

Last year the NRL introduced an amazing concept whereby anyone overseas could log onto the NRL official site and get a live stream of any NRL game.

Oddly though, people outside NSW and QLD were unable to watch any NRL content on Channel 9 until, at best, midnight or after.

The TV rights deal in August ensured that the game must be shown live nationwide.

And league fans nationwide rejoiced.

In NSW and QLD on Friday nights, fans could watch the games in the order scheduled for Nine’s main channel, or they could watch their digital channel GEM and watch the second game live there (instead of after the other game had finished).

Brilliant.

Alas, outside NSW and QLD there are still issues. The main channel does not telecast NRL games live, only the GEM channel does. Which means if you want to watch the second game live, you can’t.

People in Papua New Guinea, Kazakhstan, Peru, Tonga, Hawaii, anywhere, you can watch any game live.

But if you live in Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide etc, you have no option.

You’d even be lucky if you can tune in to listen to the game on the radio. The only radio you could hear it on is via the internet.

The Internet.

The place which also has live streaming, most of it illegal, of sports events from around the world.

The NRL’s inept vision and completely inept ability to think with any logic whatsoever regarding such simple, obvious and basic things means that those passionate fans who want to see their team play live on Friday nights have to resort to illegal measures.

A game that strives to have their players and administrators behaving with utmost respect and professionalism is the same game that forces its own fans to break the law just to watch a game that they are already streaming live around the world.

What exactly is the NRL going to lose by allowing people in Australia who live outside QLD and NSW, to watch the game on the same live stream that they allow people in Reykjavik to view?

There’s no reasonable or rational explanation for this obscene oversight. One person running the NRL Live streaming site could rectify this issue in a few hours.

If the NRL won’t do anything regarding live streaming for those Australians not living in NSW or QLD, then the NRL should make Channel 9 broadcast the game nationwide on it’s two channels the exact same way as it does in NSW and QLD.

This is not complicated stuff to do in today’s technological age.

Season Preview - Wests Tigers (2013)

2012 was meant to be the Tigers year, but a myriad of dramas saw them have the most disappointing season of all clubs. The fallout was just as dramatic.

At seasons end, talk of player unrest saw Beau Ryan, Chris Heighington, Gareth Ellis, Junior Moors, Tom Humble and Dane Chisholm all change clubs.

 The unrest didn't end there.

Long serving coach Tim Sheens was sacked with a year to run on his contract. It will go down as the lowest time at the Tigers since the year before Sheens was appointed as Tigers coach.

 But it has also become the start of a new era at the club that fills the fans and the club with a new energy and optimism. While the Tigers aren't considered as serious chance to win the title in 2013, they will be working on an entirely new structure, one based upon stability and structure which was completely non-existant in 2012.

The Tigers have lost a lot of experience and talent and will be looking to blood a lot of their rising stars, especially from their very successful NYC team.

Why they'll win it
Structure and stability. The Tigers have lacked both of these for quite some time, but have got by on the back of their amazing attacking prowess. Under new coach Mick Potter, the Tigers will become a team that plays for 80 minutes and builds pressure, rather than one that attempts the miracle play every set. Benji Marshall and subsequently, the Wests Tigers, perform better when there is a stable halfback.

Why they won't win it
Their forwards. The Tigers have a very light back row and little depth in the front row. They lack back rowers who can make an impact in attack and defence. While their backrow will be among the most skilful in the competition, they will struggle to make big metres.

Player to watch
James Tedesco - The young fullback only got half an hour of playtime last year in the first game of the season before suffering a season ending knee injury. He is now raring to go and looks set to become the best fullback the club has seen behind Brett Hodgson. Once his confidence builds, he will be a part of one of the NRL's strongest spines.

Rookie to watch
Jacob Miller - Although Miller has already tasted some first grade over the past two seasons, he was still a member of the Wests Tigers NYC grand final winning side last year. New coach Mick Potter was quick to elevate Miller to the starting halfback role in the NRL side, where alongside Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall, he is set to have a smooth transition into the top grade which will ensure he finds his feet very quickly.

Signings:
Braith Anasta (Sydney), Jack Buchanan (St.George-Illawarra), James Gavet (Canterbury), Eddy Pettybourne (Souths), Bodene Thompson (Gold Coast)

Losses:
Dane Chisholm (Manly), Gareth Ellis (Hull FC), John Grant (Rugby Union), Chris Heighington (Cronulla), Tom Humble (Penrith), Junior Moors (Melbourne), Beau Ryan (Cronulla)

Best Line-Up
1. James Tedesco 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Matt Utai 6. Benji Marshall 7. Jacob Miller 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Adam Blair 12. Liam Fulton 13. Braith Anasta Interchange: 14. Ben Murdoch-Masila 15. Matt Bell 16. Eddy Pettybourne 17. Bodene Thompson.

****This article appeared on the www.leagueunlimited.com website****

Susan (2013)

I was only eight years old when I first saw a game of Rugby League on our old TV in rural NSW. It was a finals match between Balmain and Cronulla in 1988. I was intrigued by this game but it wasn’t until I heard the name of a player that was the same as mine that I became hooked.

In the tiny community I lived in, this was amazing. I thought I was the only person alive with this name. It was then that I decided I would support Cronulla. That player was Andrew Ettingshausen.

The following year I saw the game between Balmain and Souths and a young player for the Tigers who, in my 9 year old mind, would become a future test player and I instantly became a massive Tim Brasher and Balmain fan.

Ever since then I have always supported both sides, but always considered myself a Tigers fan first.

In 1996 I was given a Cronulla footy jumper for my birthday. Little did I know how important that jumper would be in my life.

Seemingly in another world far from me, the 20 year old Susan watched an NRL game between Cronulla and the Roosters with interest and immediately had a liking for Cronulla, her favourite player quickly became the Sharks winger Mat Rogers. As a Queenslander, she had always watched Origin and was brought up to follow the Broncos, but she grew tired of seeing them everywhere all the time.

Later that year she moved to Sydney before returning to Brisbane. In 2004 I left my hometown for Newcastle before relocating to Sydney later that year. It was in 2005 that Susan ventured to Sydney to watch her beloved Sharks play their rivals, the Dragons, at Kogarah. I too ventured to this game wearing my old Sharks Jumper.

It was at this game that Susan and I met. Over the next year we got engaged, moved in together and started exploring the country. We later moved to Melbourne, got married and settled down.

Along came 2013, the most promising year for premiership glory for the Sharks the entire time Susan had followed them. And then disaster struck.

An investigation into alleged illegal drug use engulfed the Sharks, which lead to the sacking of four staff and the standing down of popular coach Shane Flanagan. The developments all happened just three days prior to the Sharks first game of the year.

On Friday morning, Susan started considering a whirlwind trip to Cronulla to support her team in their opening match of the year. By Saturday morning she was adamant she wanted to be there. I was certain that I wanted to join her in her pilgrimage from the land of NRL obscurity and our home, Melbourne, to the home of the Sharks, by car.

So we set off at 5pm on Saturday afternoon, hearing and reading all about the implications of the troubles surrounding the Sharks, every hour was met with a myriad of more damaging rumours and speculation. After staying overnight in my childhood hometown, we travelled to a friends place in Wollongong in the mid-afternoon, hopped in his car and travelled to Shark Park in time for the game.

The crowd was by far the loudest, most passionate and pumped up I’d ever seen or been a part of at Shark Park. The roar they gave when the Cronulla players came onto the field to do their pre-match warm-up was the first time the players knew that they weren’t alone, that they had a 17,500 odd family who felt their pain.

I could have worn my newer Sharks jumper. I instead felt utterly compelled to wear my old Sharks jumper instead. It’s got some loose threads and it’s shrunk a lot, okay okay, I’ve added a fair amount of girth over the years, but I was with my wife, in the jumper of this club she supports solely, that brought us together.

I felt it was my duty to thank the club for inadvertently bringing us together, by being here for them when they needed support the most.

Susan was driven entirely by the unjust and unceremonious actions of the past three days. She could have travelled by air to the game, but she wanted to make a big sacrifice and go through the rigours of a long car drive to show to her club just how committed she was to them and what lengths she will go to just to support them in times of need.

The result was secondary. It was the lap of honour the players did, showing their utmost gratitude and thanks to all fans for supporting them.

Susan didn’t care that the players had no idea about how far and long she travelled for to get to the game, that didn’t matter. She wanted to be there when they needed it most.

The drive home was just as long, but seemed to be so much better. The negativity of the media had subsided substantially, the rumours had dissipated, speculation dwindled.

We both knew that this sordid affair wasn’t finished and we accepted that there may well be more to come, but we both knew that the Sharks family is a strong and close one and if any family can pull through adversity such as this, it will be theirs.

Season Preview - Cronulla Sharks (2013)

At the start of 2010, no one (other than those in the Shire) would have ever envisaged the rapid improvement of the Cronulla team that has brought them to where they are now.

2013 shapes as being one of Cronulla’s most prosperous looking years in a long time, with no off-field distractions, more amazing recruitment, continuously astute management and air of optimism and enjoyment has the Sharks as one of the most dangerous outfits for the upcoming season.

All the injuries which dogged the back end of their 2012 season have mostly been healed, inspirational leader Paul Gallen has had operations done to rectify the niggling injuries which have hampered over past seasons and further improvement to the clubs depth mean Cronulla are not just going to be competitive like in previous years, but they are going to be tough to beat.

Why they’ll win it

Paul Gallen is expected to stop being an 80 minute player. Quality backs. Fast backs. Depth. Dominance up-front. Optimism. There are plenty of reasons why the Sharks can win it and they are rightfully tipped to be one of the four favourites to win the premiership in 2013. The quality of depth means that not even injuries or the Origin period should see the Sharks suffer at all. So many key players who suffered with niggling injuries have had these rectified during the offseason meaning Cronulla will have it’s healthiest and fittest squad for years.

Throw in the top quality additions to the club in Michael Gordon, Beau Ryan, Luke Lewis, Jonathan Wright and Chris Heighington as well as getting Stewart Mills and Nathan Gardner back from long term injuries and you have players fighting for spots, and players hungry to play. It’s a dangerous recipe for opposition teams.

Why they won’t win it
The only real reason will be a slow start due to the backline still working on combinations and gelling, as it will be almost entirely different to the backline of the previous year. The only other issues will be the run home. From 2009 to 2012, the Sharks have struggled to win any of their last 9 games of the year. Of the 36 games they’ve played over the last 9 rounds from 2009-2012, they have lost 31. This is the psychological hurdle the club must overcome.

Player to watch: Michael Gordon
If the former Penrith and NSW Origin speedster can cement his place in the side, especially at fullback, his combination with Carney and running off Gallen’s well-timed inside passes, he will be unstoppable and the Sharks will become a potent attacking machine beyond their own wildest dreams.

Rookie to watch - Rodney Coates
The 20 year old front rower is a big unit and is the most likely rookie to make his debut for the Sharks in 2013, purely due to the Sharks having their least depth at prop, not that there’s any depth issues there. The Sharks have a number of top quality juniors coming through the ranks, the most notable of these being talented hooker Michael Lichaa.

Signings: Michael Gordon (Penrith), Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers), Luke Lewis (Penrith), Beau Ryan (Wests Tigers), Tupou Sopoaga (Canterbury), Jonathan Wright (Canterbury).

Losses: Colin Best (retired), Josh Cordoba (retired), Tyson Frizzell (St.George-Illawarra), Jeremy Smith (Newcastle), John Williams (retired)

Best Line-Up: 

1 – Michael Gordon, 2 – Beau Ryan, 3 – Ben Pomeroy, 4 – Stewart Mills, 5 – Nathan Stapleton, 6 – Todd Carney, 7 – Jeff Robson, 8 – Bryce Gibbs, 9 – Isaac DeGois, 10 – Ben Ross, 11 – Paul Gallen, 12 – Luke Lewis, 13 – Wade Graham

Interchange: 14 – Andrew Fifita, 15 – Chris Heighington, 16 – Anthony Tupou, 17 – John Morris

****This article appeared on www.leagueunlimited.com website****

Interstate Memberships (2013)

Within a minute after the full time siren sounds on grand final day, NRL clubs turn their attention to membership drives.

Memberships are a good source of revenue for clubs and are used to try and get fans closer to their club with members only features, such as invitations to training days and team functions, where fans can mingle with their favourite clubs NRL stars.

Unfortunately though, some clubs fail to adequately welcome some of their fans who don't happen to live in the State or city of their team.

Interstate packages in previous years had tended to be marginally cheaper than some teams basic membership packages that offered 6 or so home games.

2013 has seen a lot of clubs dramatically improve their interstate memberships, some via better and/or more merchandise, some through offering more tickets to games and a rare few that provide invitations to team specific events, either at home or when travelling to another team's home.

Sadly, some clubs just haven't bothered to grasp the concept and have left interstate/regional fans wondering whether it's really worth the money.

Furthermore, these people are made to feel like lesser fans, or betrayers of their club, thanks to the some poor marketing/advertising schemes employed by some clubs, especially those which run campaigns on slogans such as "Show you are a true fan and become a member today."

People, especially the elderly, have followed and financially supported their clubs for decades and all of a sudden, if they can't afford a membership they are deemed to be disloyal almost.

It's disrespectful to every fan who doesn't have a membership but has always spent money on their club.

2013 has seen a dramatic improvement in Interstate memberships, with many clubs providing state-specific memberships now (mostly for NSW, QLD and VIC), but this is a very good thing.

I have viewed each clubs Interstate/Regional memberships and decided to do a comparison to see just what variation there is between the clubs. It turns out the cheapest of these type of memberships is $59 and the most expensive is $160.

That alone shows that there are some clubs that just don't understand the external costs incurred by an Interstate/Regional member (flights, accommodation, transport, food, time etc).

So In my view, here are each clubs Interstate package in three groups, great value, reasonable value and poor value, along with the most notable extras.

Great Value

Brisbane - $60 - 1 Away game and a 2 tickets for the price of one for a home game plus key ring, sticker, magnet, magnetic photo frame, lanyard, drink coasters, poncho, 10% discount voucher, Membership to Leagues Club and Broncos Yearbook.

St.George-Illawarra - $85 - 1 Home game and 1 Away game plus a backpack, cap, keyring, sticker, lanyard and 15% discount voucher.

Cronulla - $100 - 1 Home game and 1 Away game plus a backpack, cap, keyring, sticker, lanyard, 10% discount voucher and your name on the members jumper.

Canterbury - $65 - 1 Home game and 1 Away game plus a cap, sticker and keyring

Penrith - $70 - 1 Home game and 1 Away game plus members kit (not revealed what is in members kit)

Reasonable Value

Warriors - $59 - No tickets, but you do get discounted tickets for games in Australia, plus a cap, pin, lanyard, keyring, sticker and a 10% discount voucher

Gold Coast - $65 - 2 tickets to 1 Away game plus members pack (not revealed what is in members kit)

Newcastle - $75 - 3 Home games plus cap, keyring, sticker, magnet, lanyard and a 10% discount voucher

Sydney - $85 - 2 tickets to 1 Away game plus a cap, lanyard, keyring, sticker, 10% discount voucher and Membership to Leagues Club

North Queensland - $78 - 2 tickets to 1 Away game plus a backpack, cap, water bottle, lanyard, magnet, keyring, calendar and a 10% discount voucher

Canberra - $70 - 2 tickets to 1 Away game plus a scarf, keyring, pin and sticker.

Poor Value

Parramatta - $110 - 2 Home games and 1 Away game plus a lanyard, cap, sticker and scarf

Melbourne - $135 - 2 Home games and 1 Away game plus a cap, keyring, lanyard, sticker, pin and 10% discount voucher

Manly - $140 - 2 Home games and 1 Away game plus a cooler bag, mini replica jersey and a mousepad

Wests Tigers - $110 - 4 tickets to 1 Home game plus a lanyard, sticker, scarf and a $20 merchandise voucher

Souths - $160 - 5 Home games plus a keyring, sticker, magnet, lanyard and a 10% discount voucher.

My reasons are based on price, good balance of home and away games, merchandise, events or features that the club and it's players allow you to be involved in, and the clubs interest in accommodating fans wishes to attend games at other clubs specific venues.

This information has all been taken directly from club websites and I must stress, I've only mentioned the significant extras (mostly material items)

11 of the 16 clubs have Interstate memberships at $100 or less.

I understand and appreciate that some people would like to argue at length about how I may have some of this stuff wrong. I welcome it, but I hope that the discussion is based upon how clubs can improve this specific membership.

It is the National Rugby League afterall, and all clubs have fans in other states and even countries to that where they are based. If they and the game as a whole is to expand across the country and become the undeniable number one sport and football code in Australia, then ALL fans need to feel respected, involved and wanted by all clubs.