The " out of touch" NRL

[Mark from Brisbane]

Ok, I want to know " is it just us" that feels that the NRL is fast losing touch with the common fan and that their CEO is a complete dropkick?

Or, is it just as typical Manly fans that think the world is against us?

I find myself becoming more disalussioned with the game as a whole as the years go by, due to many reasons.

Scheduling.
Refereeing.
Team Bias.
Rules for some players and not others.
Rules enforced one week and then ignored the next.
Unfair and far from level playing field for all.
TV infatuation with certain teams / players ( at the expense of most others).

And there's probably a lot more BUT is it just us ( me ) with our " tin foil hats" on, or are these views common amongst all fans?

I don't frequent other forums ( although do love sneaking a look at the Kennel during a game as it's hilarious) and am not on a myriad of general type Facebook pages so apart from when there's a glaring bunker or ref error and the few I follow on Twitter go nuts I'm not that exposed to how fans of other clubs feel.

We as Manly fans collectively can't stand the NRL CEO, but , Bulldogs fans aside, is that view a common one or once again is it just our bias coming into play?

I took to Twitter last night ( I usually don't engage quite so heavily) and quite a few commented about my typical one eyed Manly views clouding everything, so perhaps it is just me!

Thoughts everyone, and not your personal views ( which for most would mirror mine) but what you read , discuss or view elsewhere.

 

[jbb/james]

Ok, I want to know " is it just us" that feels that the NRL is fast losing touch with the common fan and that their CEO is a complete dropkick?

Or, is it just as typical Manly fans that think the world is against us?

I find myself becoming more disalussioned with the game as a whole as the years go by, due to many reasons.

Scheduling.
Refereeing.
Team Bias.
Rules for some players and not others.
Rules enforced one week and then ignored the next.
Unfair and far from level playing field for all.
TV infatuation with certain teams / players ( at the expense of most others).

And there's probably a lot more BUT is it just us ( me ) with our " tin foil hats" on, or are these views common amongst all fans?

I don't frequent other forums ( although do love sneaking a look at the Kennel during a game as it's hilarious) and am not on a myriad of general type Facebook pages so apart from when there's a glaring bunker or ref error and the few I follow on Twitter go nuts I'm not that exposed to how fans of other clubs feel.

We as Manly fans collectively can't stand the NRL CEO, but , Bulldogs fans aside, is that view a common one or once again is it just our bias coming into play?

I took to Twitter last night ( I usually don't engage quite so heavily) and quite a few commented about my typical one eyed Manly views clouding everything, so perhaps it is just me!

Thoughts everyone, and not your personal views ( which for most would mirror mine) but what you read , discuss or view elsewhere.

Next year will show all some of this. Next year the NRL take control of the draw. The monies in the bank. If the status quo continues especially with scheduling and tv we will know that there is a deal in place to ensure the networks still get there way but just under the guise of someone elses direction.

The Nrl has the chance to truely promote the game and all clubs equally but if they chose to favour the same teams it will be obvious to all that choose to open there eyes that there is something amiss. And we all know it is.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Next year will show all some of this. Next year the NRL take control of the draw. The monies in the bank. If the status quo continues especially with scheduling and tv we will know that there is a deal in place to ensure the networks still get there way but just under the guise of someone elses direction.

The Nrl has the chance to truely promote the game and all clubs equally but if they chose to favour the same teams it will be obvious to all that choose to open there eyes that there is something amiss. And we all know it is.

Good point, and I'm pretty sure not much will change but as I say do other clubs fans share this view or is it just us.

I'm not expecting any unhappy Donkey fans , and very few unhappy Roosters or Eel fans, but what about the others, I wonder if they share this view or just get on with it?

 

[jbb/james]

Good point, and I'm pretty sure not much will change but as I say do other clubs fans share this view or is it just us.

I'm not expecting any unhappy Donkey fans , and very few unhappy Roosters or Eel fans, but what about the others, I wonder if they share this view or just get on with it?

I have doggie mates who hate the NRL and reckon its corrupt and rigged. Qld supporters dont know ****. Too pharocial for ther own good. Never stop to see the bigger picture.

Some time back i posted a tin foil hat theory that greenberg was groomed by the media to get the job and would ensure pay back to those that pushed his barrow

He was referred too as the smartest young administrator in the game ad nauseam by the same media that stands to gain from his tenure. Like a broken record as if it was the media trying to plant the phrase into everyone as to accept.

It was always the same phrase, too coincidental to dismiss from someone like me anyway

He wasnt smart, he was allegedly dodgy. The barba incidents and the female reporter being abused all had no leadership about the outcomes and handling. A real lack of class was displayed. His poaching of des lacked class with rumours its was outside of guidelines.all he ever did was admit the former management screwd up which they did .the sponser lines up every year, they rape there fans with a massive gambling empire. Like what did he do but talk on tv that impressed soooooo many people

there was also something in dave smith dismissing greenberg from the negotiation of the last tv deal. That was massive when your boss sends you off . The attitude from the networks after the deal was done as if they had been ambushed.

Maybe not your point directly mark but **** it stinks from the head down. And when it does anyone who opens ther eyes will be pissed

Crowds are down, tv audience are down. The question is .
Is the game **** or does the political environment turn people off because they are leaving

Everything i said above is alleged. I have no proof,

 

[Blucky]

Mark, thank you for starting this thread. I have been meaning to for quite a while. And you put it better than I could have.
I watch a lot of sport (my wife will testify that its A LOT !), and I love the feel of competition. I watch AFL (sorry guys), and think the guys are indredible athletes. I watch soccer (sometimes), even though it bores me. F**k, I even watch curling when its on at the Olympics. The common thread injust about every sport at top level (cycling and some other olympic sports aside), is that it is a level playing field and one person or one teams skills pitted against another.
I originate from the South end of Pommy-land, and never once watched league for some reason (it's not really followed there), but landed on the Northern Beaches a decade ago and married into a Manly family, and have been hooked seriously ever since, to the point that it is now my No.1 sport.
But it most certainly IS NOT a level playing field. And, it is MOST DEFINITELY getting worse since the current NRL administration took over.

 

[jbb/james]

Good point, and I'm pretty sure not much will change but as I say do other clubs fans share this view or is it just us.

I'm not expecting any unhappy Donkey fans , and very few unhappy Roosters or Eel fans, but what about the others, I wonder if they share this view or just get on with it?

I suppose the best way to do this really is sign up for all the teams forums and put up a poll to go with the post. The NRLs main advantage is the tribalusm and that no one agrees . Or do we. Disgruntmled fans after a loss is the rhetoric. Always has,always will.

 

[The Who]

Transparency is what's needed. Imagine:
If the draw was done live on TV, like Lotto?*
Referees had to hold media conferences after every performance?
The judiciary was televised?
* now, this sounds more simple than it would be. It would take a computer wiz to make it work, but the way I see it one club would be randomly selected first and then pitted against the 15 opposition clubs, randomly in round order. Then another club would be selected to go though the same process (taking out the already assigned meeting with club No. 1). When you'd done this for eight clubs you'd have the first 15 rounds of the comp sorted with each team playing one another once (venues would come later). Then you'd sort out the remaining 10-11 rounds in the same way. Venues and times would be done by computer.... over to you Dan to work out the computer program!

 

[sheridanstand78]

If the NRL are fair dinkum, they will start looking at why the crowds outside of Queensland are staying away in droves. Might it be that the current monopoly that the Queensland clubs and Melbourne enjoy is a major turn off for people in this city? The unfairness of the salary cap third party payments, the draw and TV scheduling is really lopsided. This year alone, We play the drizzle, rorters, dragqueens twice at full strength and the whingers get drizzle during origin, Sharks, Rorters and us once. You see rules for one team and rules for another in each game. Right now we have certain refs who are just not up to it when it comes to making big calls in a game. The game has many attributes that are being undermined and wasted by the petty leadership that we see. We currently have an investigation going on about the cap, where it was alleged that several clubs were under the microscope, yet our club is singled out and tried by media in a prejudicial way that is not going to lead to a good outcome. The NRL should be protecting their product and their clubs and we have leadership driven by agenda and old hatreds. I do not see change while we have the paws of News Filth and Nein in the game. There needs to be some fairness and transparency in the way the game is run. Bush football is dying on the vine. State of Origin is frankly boring right now!! I am not optimistic that things will improve while creatures like Greenturd run our game!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

If the draw was done live on TV, like Lotto?

The whole problem is that it is not a "draw", ie, teams pulled randomly out of a hat. It is rigorously rigged, the only question being, in whose interest from time to time is it rigged?

 

[StuBoot]

Mark, you are not alone on this.
I listen to both daily sports shows on the radio ( BSB on 2KY & Talkin' Sport on 2SM ) and the overriding discussions, phone calls etc is pretty much what you've stated.
-We all want the rules enforced consistently - there is too much of what they call "game management" rather than "refereeing".
- The standing jokes of Friday night Bronco night or playing the same team twice in six weeks is high on the agenda too.

I know alot on here don't like Talkin' Sport but they've really been on the money as to what is making us disillusioned with the game.

One example they brought up during the week was the Lussick sinbinning for punching, Peter Tunks took the refs and bunker to task saying that they were too busy looking at the Lussick punch ( which was plain to see ) but neglected what caused him to throw the punch - DeBelin throwing the forearm at Darcy's head - and also that Widdop threw a punch too and they both escaped sanction.

Also, refs are missing simple basic stuff like Burgess's play the ball the other week when he was facing the sideline ffs, like how can that be acceptable?

They're just neglecting some basic rules like playing the ball correctly and too busy looking for the 50/50's like hands on the ball in the ruck etc

I remember in the Manly v Broncs game, there was a turnover about 10m out from the Broncs goal line and I could distinctly hear the ref say "use your foot" to whoever was playing the ball....and guess what?. Said player didn't use his foot and nothing was done so why the f$%k say it in the first place?

Another thing that irks me is when a ball carrier is held up, momentum stopped but still on his feet, the ref calls held and then a third player comes in and they knock him over...what's the point of calling held then.

Even stuff like Croker's conversion attempt at Brookie where he moved it in about 5m, how the hell can all these officials not notice that?

Last night the Bulldogs ( Frawley I think) fumbled the ball inside the Panthers 20m zone and it went noticeably backwards yet the refs straight up called it a knockon, Panthers scrum feed, off the hook and away they went. The Fox commentators couldn't believe it.

I know it's all little stuff but it's basic stuff, they're too busy trying to tweak things rather than just get the basics right and that is what is annoying us.

I could go on....

 

[bob dylan]

 

[Class of 96]

Ok, I want to know " is it just us" that feels that the NRL is fast losing touch with the common fan and that their CEO is a complete dropkick?

Change that to a definitive 'lost touch' and your on the money.

 

[Budgie]

I have been fast losing interest in the NRL. I used to enjoy watching other games as well as the various discussion shows. Now it's just the Manly games and I find them incredibly frustrating with the uneven referring, preferred players, and really ordinary commentary.
The standard of objective journalism is a joke, the shielding of players from the media is a mistake, and the delayed scheduling is a farce - types me from my hotel Melbourne because I had to book before the rest of the draw was released.
Mind you, the shenanigans at Manly over the last few years have come close to having me walk away from decades long devotion altogether.
But hey, still here - only for Manly though.

 

[Budgie]

Forgot to mention the greatest farce of all -
The Third Party Agreements.
What a joke!
How can any club be accused of cheating the cap when there's a completely legal way for the big clubs to do it?

 

[Michael Clare]

Mark, you are not alone on this.
I listen to both daily sports shows on the radio ( BSB on 2KY & Talkin' Sport on 2SM ) and the overriding discussions, phone calls etc is pretty much what you've stated.
-We all want the rules enforced consistently - there is too much of what they call "game management" rather than "refereeing".
- The standing jokes of Friday night Bronco night or playing the same team twice in six weeks is high on the agenda too.

I know alot on here don't like Talkin' Sport but they've really been on the money as to what is making us disillusioned with the game.

One example they brought up during the week was the Lussick sinbinning for punching, Peter Tunks took the refs and bunker to task saying that they were too busy looking at the Lussick punch ( which was plain to see ) but neglected what caused him to throw the punch - DeBelin throwing the forearm at Darcy's head - and also that Widdop threw a punch too and they both escaped sanction.

Also, refs are missing simple basic stuff like Burgess's play the ball the other week when he was facing the sideline ffs, like how can that be acceptable?

They're just neglecting some basic rules like playing the ball correctly and too busy looking for the 50/50's like hands on the ball in the ruck etc

I remember in the Manly v Broncs game, there was a turnover about 10m out from the Broncs goal line and I could distinctly hear the ref say "use your foot" to whoever was playing the ball....and guess what?. Said player didn't use his foot and nothing was done so why the f$%k say it in the first place?

Another thing that irks me is when a ball carrier is held up, momentum stopped but still on his feet, the ref calls held and then a third player comes in and they knock him over...what's the point of calling held then.

Even stuff like Croker's conversion attempt at Brookie where he moved it in about 5m, how the hell can all these officials not notice that?

Last night the Bulldogs ( Frawley I think) fumbled the ball inside the Panthers 20m zone and it went noticeably backwards yet the refs straight up called it a knockon, Panthers scrum feed, off the hook and away they went. The Fox commentators couldn't believe it.

I know it's all little stuff but it's basic stuff, they're too busy trying to tweak things rather than just get the basics right and that is what is annoying us.

I could go on....

Yep, it's happening every week. I've never seen the ruck area looking so ugly as in recent weeks and the ten metres not properly enforced which is part of the trouble. Saw a live game the other day and the Rooster's five-eight and centres were never onside all night. What does the pocket ref actually do? It was happening right in front of his eyes. The game is a total mess at present and I think they've created a real monster where players don't have to stand square and play the ball with their foot. To add insult to injury, when a player moves off the mark they are politely told to move back a step or two. Is this a joke? No, it's a penalty every time in my book - that would stop them in their tracks. I mean ... seriously ... asking them to step back. That's not refereeing ... that's negotiation. Let's get rid of this dominant tackle rubbish while we're at it and allow defending sides a bit more latitude. I agree with you that if refs called held and actually enforced it strictly there would immediately be much less wrestling and better flow. Also, the player with the ball must be held more responsible responsible for hanging onto it. This aspect of the game is now a bigger lottery than a Sportsbet Multi and makes my blood boil week after week. Matches are won and lost on these so-called fifty-fifty calls. One idea to stop this has merit here ... if only two tacklers were allowed in a tackle attempted stripping would not be so easy to do. It would also help reduce injuries and also annoy the heck out of wrestling teams like the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta! As for the knock-on rule ... I just give up in despair. This rule is now ignored or deliberately misinterpreted like last night's vital call against Dogs, yet a player can accidentally pass a ball onto a teammates head and they can regain the ball score a try off it (Canterbury v Manly a few years ago.) No wonder so many of us our losing interest in a once great game.

 

[Woodsie]

@Mark from Brisbane you may not be as alone as you think. The recent revolt by the clubs over the grant allication and the forcing of the resignation of Grant showed me that there is a deep and abiding loss of faith by the clubs in the NRL.

Rumours of threats (at that time) to form a break away comp were muted, but I suspect every club has and would consider it.

And, unlike Super League, I would support it.

PSS You left out the NRL's outrageous financial management.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

All good points.

I don't bother listening to the radio up here it's full of Queenslander clap trap but interesting to hear what's being said down there.

Funnily enough Manly nominated me about a decade ago to fly down to Sydney and attend a day where 2 fans from each club fronted the NRL CEO ( Gallop) and the then refs boss ( which I forget ), it started at 9 and went to 12.30pm ( closed session) then lunch and then 2pm to 5pm with the media in attendance.

From that eventually came fixed scheduling ( the number one subject at that time).

I'm almost certain those days wouldn't happen now!

 

[Tareeeagle]

@Mark from Brisbane you may not be as alone as you think. The recent revolt by the clubs over the grant allication and the forcing of the resignation of Grant showed me that there is a deep and abiding loss of faith by the clubs in the NRL.

Rumours of threats (at that time) to form a break away comp were muted, but I suspect every club has and would consider it.

And, unlike Super League, I would support it.

PSS You left out the NRL's outrageous financial management.

You have all put my thoughts into print. my only interest in rugby league is Manly. If they weren't in the comp, I wouldn't watch 5 minutes of it. I am so over the lack of transparency and double standards. Thanks for the great post.

 

[Woodsie]

Funnily enough Manly nominated me about a decade ago to fly down to Sydney and attend a day where 2 fans from each club fronted the NRL CEO ( Gallop)
I'm almost certain those days wouldn't happen now!

Mark, whilst I have no doubts that you were an excellent choice and did the SeaEagles proud ... if the offer and opportunity arises to front the current CEO ... I would overlook you and nominate @yokahontas ...

The mental image I have of her grabbing GreenTurd in a nipple twist while screaming "cheat NOW you sonofabitch" swings the selection in her favour.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I too rarely watch any other game in great detail.

I watched a bit of the Panfers game last night but it was so boring I turned off, and spent the rest of the night on Twitter.