[Resurrected] Is the NRL competition rigged?

[mickqld]

I'd say more it's massaged and managed to fit their narrative at the time. Online Sports betting and Ch nein have their grubby fingers in it too.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

The Tigers game was one of the must on sided refereeing displays I’ve seen. IMO It was a black day for Rugby league.

 

[vidmar]

The NRL has bias built into it before the first kick off purely due to the imbalance of the fixture schedule.

See here an analysis of the 2024 season highlighting the “benefits” some teams get over others

Account Suspended

Here’s more interesting reading on that subject

2024 NRL Club Schedule Difficulty | Strength of Schedule

Get ahead of the game with our 2024 NRL Club Schedule Difficulty analysis. Find the Strength of Schedule for each team and plan your bets.

www.statsinsider.com.au

Next, consider that TV is all about selling the spaces (adverts) between programs so the more people watch the program the more they can sell the ads for.

NRL teams are all about memberships and people coming to the game… TV wants you stay home, the clubs want you to come to the game – 2 “partners” pulling in opposite directions.

The draw is determined by the following:

“The National Rugby League (NRL) schedule is determined through a complex process involving several key factors. The goal is to create a balanced and fair competition while also maximizing commercial opportunities and accommodating logistical considerations. Here’s an overview of how the NRL schedule is typically determined each season:

1. Team Requests and Preferences

• Clubs' Input: Each club provides input on preferred scheduling, including requests for home games at specific times, avoiding clashes with other events, and considerations for travel.
• Broadcaster Input: TV broadcasters, who have significant influence due to their financial investment in the league, also provide input on match scheduling to optimize viewership.

2. Competition Format

• Round-Robin Format: The NRL typically uses a round-robin format, where each team plays each other at least once. The exact structure can vary depending on the number of teams and the length of the season.
• Byes and Origin Period: The schedule accommodates byes, particularly around the State of Origin series, which affects the availability of players from certain teams.

3. Venue Availability

• Stadium Bookings: The availability of venues plays a crucial role. Some teams share venues, and others may face scheduling conflicts due to other events like concerts or other sports.
• Travel Considerations: The league also considers the travel burden on teams, aiming to balance long-distance travel over the season.

4. Fairness and Balance

Fair Distribution: The NRL aims to ensure a fair distribution of home and away games across the season. They also strive to balance the difficulty of schedules, so no team faces a significantly easier or harder draw. * see the analysis above…. (Account Suspended )

• Rivalries and Key Matches: Traditional rivalries and key matchups are often scheduled at times that maximize attendance and viewership, like public holidays or prime-time slots.

5. Special Events

• Themed Rounds: The NRL includes themed rounds like the Indigenous Round, ANZAC Round, and Women in League Round, which are scheduled to maximize their impact.
• Double-Headers and Regional Games: Occasionally, the NRL schedules double-header events or takes games to regional areas to promote the sport.

6. Commercial Considerations

• Maximizing Revenue: The NRL considers the commercial impact of the schedule, ensuring high-profile games are scheduled in prime time and that all games are accessible to as many fans as possible.

7. Final Adjustments

• Finalization: Once a draft schedule is prepared, it undergoes further adjustments based on feedback from clubs, broadcasters, and other stakeholders. The final schedule is usually released a few months before the season begins.

This process involves significant coordination and negotiation between the NRL, clubs, broadcasters, and other stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome for the league and its fans.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Point to note: Channel 9's broadcast rights deal with the NRL for the 2023-2027 period is valued at approximately AUD 575 million. This means that Channel 9 is paying about AUD 115 million per year to televise NRL games free-to-air (FTA) during this period….

See point 1 above!!!!!

It’s only a rort if you’re not in it but for this part of the point being made, I’ll leave it with Nick Politis and his comments on the 2023 draw

"It's a TV schedule, not a draw": Nick Politis

The draw…. And especially which teams get the most FTA (free to air) games in a season add another massive benefit (bias) to certain clubs… I’ll let the above settle first and then I’ll detail that aspect next when I have more time…..

 

[Ohgeez]

Tin foil hat here but I think the NRL would have been very happy seeing Tigers beat Manly to get them on 16 points along with eels. Now it doesn’t matter what result Parra has this week, ultimately it’s going down to the last game of the season when they vs each other for the wooden spoon.

No one cared about that game all year now im hearing it promoted all over the NRL Media podcasts/radio being dubbed ‘the spoon bowl’. It went from a game most casual fans would turn off to a game that will now probably sell out + have a high viewership.

I have to say it is a game I probably would have skipped if Tigers didn’t beat manly & Parra beat Dragons but now it’s a must watch regardless of the result this weekend lol. Not necessarily saying it’s rigged but it’s worked out great for the NRL & broadcasters.

 

[vidmar]

In December 2021 the United Nations no less (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)) released the first ever global report on corruption in sport (you can read more and download it here

First-ever Global Report on Corruption in Sport flags urgent need for unified, international response to corrupt practices in sport

The report reveals the staggering scale, manifestation, and complexity of corruption and organized crime in sport at the global, regional, and national levels.

This is not a conspiracy theory by a guy wearing a tin foil hat and trolling from his mothers basement… this is a report developed in partnership with nearly 200 experts from across governments, sport organizations, the private sector, academia, and related stakeholders, it was described as the most in-depth review of its type to date when released.

Section one of the Executive Summary (https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021_Exec_Summary.pdf) makes specific mention of competition manipulation “Competition manipulation has become a significant problem in sport. Major evolutions in sport have made it more vulnerable to this type of corruption, with the risks becoming increasingly complex.”

Drilling down, the section on illegal betting and money laundering in sport betting makes interesting reading (https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/9_22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021.pdf)

“International organizations, Governments and sports bodies are becoming increasingly aware of the scale of the problem of illegal betting and the money-laundering that it facilitates, and are taking action to address the issue and minimize the risks related to the activity”

The average amount wagered on NRL games each round in 2024 has been substantial, with industry estimates indicating that around $60 million is bet on NRL matches per round. This figure reflects both legal and regulated betting markets in Australia, including wagers placed through various bookmakers and betting platforms.

In 2024, betting companies are estimated to be paying the NRL around $50 million annually in sponsorships and advertising. This figure includes major deals with companies like Sportsbet, which is one of the league's most prominent sponsors. The substantial revenue from these partnerships plays a critical role in the league's financial ecosystem, supporting everything from grassroots initiatives to the professional competition. This financial relationship reflects the significant influence that betting companies have in sports sponsorships, particularly in markets like Australia where sports betting is highly popular.

If Australian sport has not been targeted and/or influenced by people with evil or illegal intentions then we should count ourselves very lucky (or naïve….)

 

[The Who]

I don't worry about players being corrupt in RL. A player, no matter how good, can only have a limited impact on his team's result. But a referee, or The Bunker, can decide an outcome. Their power is ultimate. They can disallow tries, provide a stream of possession, send players off...
There have been times when the ref/Bunker have appeared to me to be so biased that convince me corruption exists in RL.

 

[The '47ers]

I don't worry about players being corrupt in RL. A player, no matter how good, can only have a limited impact on his team's result. But a referee, or The Bunker, can decide an outcome. Their power is ultimate. They can disallow tries, provide a stream of possession, send players off...
There have been times when the ref/Bunker have appeared to me to be so biased that convince me corruption exists in RL.

Barry Ward?! Was that his name, the Bulldogs forward.

 

[maxta]

Yes it's rigged - but if an NRL side with determination and heart want it enough, can overcome this factor along with poor officiating, job just becomes tougher....or for some clubs easier....

 

[The Who]

Barry Ward?! Was that his name, the Bulldogs forward.

No it was Ryan Tandy.
He was found guilty of match-fixing. In reality it was more 'score fixing'. He and others apparently bet on a penalty goal being the first scoring points in a relatively unimportant match. He gave away an obvious penalty under the sticks, but the opposition took a quick tap and scored, foiling the fix.
Tandy proved to be anything but handy at fixing.

 

[MadMarcus]

It’s sad how often I feel something that happens on the field is influenced by this stuff.

Even sadder that our own Kieran Foran (allegedly) got caught up in it when he was at our club. And that was many years ago. I suspect it only worse now.

 

[Dion Johnson]

In December 2021 the United Nations no less (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)) released the first ever global report on corruption in sport (you can read more and download it here

First-ever Global Report on Corruption in Sport flags urgent need for unified, international response to corrupt practices in sport

The report reveals the staggering scale, manifestation, and complexity of corruption and organized crime in sport at the global, regional, and national levels.

This is not a conspiracy theory by a guy wearing a tin foil hat and trolling from his mothers basement… this is a report developed in partnership with nearly 200 experts from across governments, sport organizations, the private sector, academia, and related stakeholders, it was described as the most in-depth review of its type to date when released.

Section one of the Executive Summary (https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021_Exec_Summary.pdf) makes specific mention of competition manipulation “Competition manipulation has become a significant problem in sport. Major evolutions in sport have made it more vulnerable to this type of corruption, with the risks becoming increasingly complex.”

Drilling down, the section on illegal betting and money laundering in sport betting makes interesting reading (https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/9_22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021.pdf)

“International organizations, Governments and sports bodies are becoming increasingly aware of the scale of the problem of illegal betting and the money-laundering that it facilitates, and are taking action to address the issue and minimize the risks related to the activity”

The average amount wagered on NRL games each round in 2024 has been substantial, with industry estimates indicating that around $60 million is bet on NRL matches per round. This figure reflects both legal and regulated betting markets in Australia, including wagers placed through various bookmakers and betting platforms.

In 2024, betting companies are estimated to be paying the NRL around $50 million annually in sponsorships and advertising. This figure includes major deals with companies like Sportsbet, which is one of the league's most prominent sponsors. The substantial revenue from these partnerships plays a critical role in the league's financial ecosystem, supporting everything from grassroots initiatives to the professional competition. This financial relationship reflects the significant influence that betting companies have in sports sponsorships, particularly in markets like Australia where sports betting is highly popular.

If Australian sport has not been targeted and/or influenced by people with evil or illegal intentions then we should count ourselves very lucky (or naïve….)

Good overview, $50 million sounds like a bargain for the wagering agencies.

My mind wonders what scrutiny the regulators have on reviewing any potential red flags, there is one that has come to mind of late and it was the Cowboys vs Storm game where weeks out from the game Storm players were aware of the potential resting of players.

This may sound trivial but the Melbourne Storms largest percentage owner is Matt Tripp who is apart of several wagering agencies along with some Melbourne Storm players holding ownership in a wagering agency.

 

[manlyfan76]

Yes it's rigged - but if an NRL side with determination and heart want it enough, can overcome this factor along with poor officiating, job just becomes tougher....or for some clubs easier....

And if the same team want to lose its way easier

 

[HoldenV8]

The Tigers game was one of the must on sided refereeing displays I’ve seen. IMO It was a black day for Rugby league.

I would love to lay the blame for that loss squarely on the head of Peter Gough. And yes some of his decisions were not only strange (putting a tackled player on their back is illegal now??) and were momentum changers. But at the same time, he wasn't the one who kept dropping the ball, pushing silly passes, kicking out on the full or missing tackles.

A good team will make a referee irrelevant. We let Gough be relevant that night. Yes he was poor, but so were we. We got to a 16-0 lead against the bottom placed side ... and let them then score 34 points. That is on us, not the referee.

If how we played last week against the Dogs is any indication ... the way we were against the Tigers was a wake up call.

 

[vidmar]

Good overview, $50 million sounds like a bargain for the wagering agencies.

My mind wonders what scrutiny the regulators have on reviewing any potential red flags, there is one that has come to mind of late and it was the Cowboys vs Storm game where weeks out from the game Storm players were aware of the potential resting of players.

This may sound trivial but the Melbourne Storms largest percentage owner is Matt Tripp who is apart of several wagering agencies along with some Melbourne Storm players holding ownership in a wagering agency.

Hi, Matt Tripp's ownership of a wagering operation is far from "trivial" (Matt Tripp is the Chairman of the Melbourne Storm)

Matt Tripp is the founder of the betting agency betr and is currently its Executive Director.

Betr is set to merge with BlueBet, creating a powerful player in the Australian wagering market.

This merger is expected to be completed by January 2025, with Tripp continuing to play a key leadership role in the new entity.

The merger is expected to create a significant player in the Australian wagering market.

The value of the deal involves the issuance of around AUD 265.4 million in fully paid shares to Betr shareholders, giving them approximately 56.9% ownership of BlueBet.

Additionally, the merger is projected to generate operational synergies of around AUD 11 million annually, with the combined entity expected to reach profitability by the first half of FY2025.

BlueBet also plans to raise AUD 20 million to cover the costs of the merger.

Several Melbourne Storm players have invested in equity in betr.

These include key players such as Harry Grant, the team's captain, and Cameron Munster along with also Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes.

I'm not sure if the equity they have in such a large and highly profitable gaming agency (which it's reported was fascilitated by Mr Tripp) is included in salary cap payment considerations.

 

[mave]

How today's game is refereed will tell you all you need to know regarding the OPs question.

Plenty of $$$ on the line for the NRL with a Doggies home final, compared to us getting one.

Will be watching with interest how it pans out.

 

[frank stokes]

Several Melbourne Storm players have invested in equity in betr.

I'm not sure if the equity they have in such a large and highly profitable gaming agency (which it's reported was fascilitated by Mr Tripp) is included in salary cap payment considerations.

Not a fan of the drizzel but I think you answered your own question...

Investments can go either way and there was no guarantee that putting money in would result in the massive payoff that it seems they are now looking at... no different to playing the stockmarket or crypto...

 

[mickqld]

Amazing that there's no article on how much a Penrith home final will cost the nrl compared to playing at Allianz or Accor. If we get blatantly robbed today then it'll just confirm what we all know of the nrl.

 

[ManEagle]

How today's game is refereed will tell you all you need to know regarding the OPs question.

Plenty of $$$ on the line for the NRL with a Doggies home final, compared to us getting one.

Will be watching with interest how it pans out.

Same here, I'm not sure how I will react if it's a blatant bias today, do I still invest my time and $$ if it is blatant going forward.
Do I find some cement trucks
Or just bury the head and do as we want the team to, grit my teeth, go in hard a fk the NRL.

 

[MissKate]

I would love to lay the blame for that loss squarely on the head of Peter Gough. And yes some of his decisions were not only strange (putting a tackled player on their back is illegal now??) and were momentum changers. But at the same time, he wasn't the one who kept dropping the ball, pushing silly passes, kicking out on the full or missing tackles.

A good team will make a referee irrelevant. We let Gough be relevant that night. Yes he was poor, but so were we. We got to a 16-0 lead against the bottom placed side ... and let them then score 34 points. That is on us, not the referee.

If how we played last week against the Dogs is any indication ... the way we were against the Tigers was a wake up call.

Yes but he was the ref that binned our players so that the rest of the team were worn out, having to play a man down for 30mins

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

I’ve just done rounds of other team forums and the comments are pretty much the same - expecting the game will be managed favouring the Sharks and ultimately the NRL’s bank balance. The suspicion and cynicism is quite sad tbh.