The " out of touch" NRL

[Mark from Brisbane]

I think a lot of us are getting old and cranky. It must be. Surely the game cant be as corrupt and irritating as we're saying. What are the under 30s supporters thoughts ??

Serious question that , yes what do you Gen Y's think, the ones who only know the current way the games played!

 

[Chip and Chase]

I see the NRL have just hired the Kingdog in a management role. Maybe that will bring a bit of Manly flavour to the place and lift the standard. Just like the old Arko days.

 

[manlyfan76]

I see the NRL have just hired the Kingdog in a management role. Maybe that will bring a bit of Manly flavour to the place and lift the standard. Just like the old Arko days.

The commission now employ Peter Beattie. Ive had business dealings with him and its been alledged that he is dodgey as hell.

 

[chuckee]

It is so blatantly obvious that referees are instructed to influence the results of matches with all their power. You see it in every game, not just Manly games. It's getting beyond ridiculous and is turning more and more people away, the NRL favour their teams for each season on the basis of who will sell them the most coverage and stories.
I might be reading into it a bit much but let's have a look at the past few seasons.
2014: Souths end 43 year drought and is a great story for the game.
2015: All Qld grand final (first time ever and sold good stories)
2016: sharks win their first comp in their 50 years of trying.

Now, I'm not saying it's rigged but I definitely think certain teams are favoured by the grubs in administration each season.

 

[Harvies elbow]

The commission now employ Peter Beattie. Ive had business dealings with him and its been alledged that he is dodgey as hell.

He looks it.
But why would they employ him?
His experience in rugby league is??
2/3 of f*ck all.
Thus the problem.
They fall for the outdated mantra of employing business types or high profile individuals because it worked in the past somewhere.
Put people in who know the game and I'd start with Bernie Gurr.
Yes I know he's with the slimey cheats at the moment but he has experience in the game and business.
Try and watch him on the couch with sterlo ( I can't put it on here cause I dunno how) but he has some great ideas for the game and the knowledge to implement them.
A rare combination in rugby league.

 

[Eagleheart]

The commission now employ Peter Beattie. Ive had business dealings with him and its been alledged that he is dodgey as hell.

Hmm Beattie could very well replace Grant down the track.....!!

Personally I am not a fan of having ex political types in management positions. Because in my opinion, a large number of them are well versed in manipulation, using their role to do the bidding for whoever gives them the biggest brown paper bags and generally have no regard for rules. Far from balanced and fair individuals. Again this is my opinion only and some ex political types are fine, but some (a larger number than not) are indeed dodgey. And weather Beattie fits into either category I do not know. But I wonder why he would even want to be involved with the NRL.

And besides doesn't the commission have enough political agendas already?

 

[manlyfan76]

Beattie will be Good to watch, he doesn't like not getting his own way and will manipulate any system for his benefit

 

[nightster]

This has come up before and, as everyone else has said, it's a pattern that goes back more than a few years. Like many of you, the only games I care about these days are Manly games, and even those are tricky. I think the problem is that I just don't get any enjoyment out of watching rugby league anymore. Instead, with predetermined "narratives" and referees working to an obvious plan, the predominate feeling I get watching any NRL game is anger. Maybe it's just part of becoming a crotchety old man, but I don't want to be angry and I don't want to be bitter. And I don't want to suppress the urge to vomit every time I see Greenberg's smug, oh-so-punchable face. So the best thing to do is tune out.

... yep ... the older we get the better the NRL (ARL) was ...

 

[globaleagle]

I think a lot of us are getting old and cranky. It must be. Surely the game cant be as corrupt and irritating as we're saying. What are the under 30s supporters thoughts ??

Well, I think.....

Ah **** it, who am I kidding.

*sigh*

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

The commission now employ Peter Beattie. Ive had business dealings with him and its been alledged that he is dodgey as hell.

He is after all a politician from the Graham Richardson 'whatever it takes' ALP school.

 

[Chip and Chase]

The commission now employ Peter Beattie. Ive had business dealings with him and its been alledged that he is dodgey as hell.

He's a Queensland politician - of course he is dodgy

 

[Harvies elbow]

... yep ... the older we get the better the NRL (ARL) was ...

Whilst I agree with that, why torture us with the picture of greenturd??

 

[manlyfan76]

Hmm Beattie could very well replace Grant down the track.....!!

Personally I am not a fan of having ex political types in management positions. Because in my opinion, a large number of them are well versed in manipulation, using their role to do the bidding for whoever gives them the biggest brown paper bags and generally have no regard for rules. Far from balanced and fair individuals. Again this is my opinion only and some ex political types are fine, but some (a larger number than not) are indeed dodgey. And weather Beattie fits into either category I do not know. But I wonder why he would even want to be involved with the NRL.

And besides doesn't the commission have enough political agendas already?

Also he is boss of the gold coast comm games which along with his personal business's will keep him very busy for the next 12 months.

 

[globaleagle]

Beattie....great. the nrl needed another pro queensland presence in head office as the broncos don't get enough of a helping hand as it is!


Also...he's copped a bit of flack for making the comm games tickets too cheap....maybe prices will come down (qlders only.)

 

[Michael Clare]

I can't see the draw being changed too much because the Nrl will try and appease the media companies so they get the next new biggest tv deal.

If you can watch a game and pretty much know when a penalty is about to be given.

It is all coming from the top down with the refereeing, because some wank wants a faster game.

Everything is just so inconsistent because of the apparent penalty quota.

A new CEO and two years of pain to get rid of all the stupid things that teams are allowed to get away with without being penalized is what the league needs.

Hopefully a CEO who can backup what he says. Not one who continually talks tough but then comes up with decisions that are as weak as piss.

Maybe then it will be back to the game it once was.

You make some excellent points my friend. Penalty quotas, faster game obsession means the ruck is a disaster and you do know when a penalty is about to be blown for some minor infringement in the ruck that ought to be let go nine times out of ten.

 

[Michael Clare]

We are definitely not the only ones that feel there are major problems with the NRL.

Just been having a google search and wow, I have come across hundreds of recent threads on various supporter forums agreeing with much of what you have posted Mark.

And I came across an actual topic and combination of words that came up for at least five different forums, those words being ..... NRL is rigged.....!

Other areas that were popular topics of contention were: The draw favouring certain clubs over others, officiating/penalty inconsistencies, TPA rorting, government and NRL funding discrimination, media manipulation, judiciary bias, etc etc.

Some real comments from fans of opposition clubs....

"......Rugby League is rigged, and winners are decided well before the game..."

"......the NRL is corrupt, that the top 8 is decided before the season (not in any order) and the referees make sure it happens....."

"....the NRL totally corrupt and have rigged the season..."

And it goes on and on...there are literally thousands and thousands of threads, comments, blogs, articles relating to fan unrest in some way.


Funny thing, I even found a link to an article from 2016 where the Broncos benefited quite substantially in terms of dollars from their favourable draw this year. And the kickers is that Greenburg does not deny the bias towards them.
It is there from the horses mouth that the competition is clearly not an even playing field...
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nrl-dont-deny-brisbane-bias-102632026.html

NRL fan numbers are dropping in droves despite the NRL purposely inflated membership fan base figures. And it is becoming increasingly obvious by many that the NRL is just a manipulated product used to make money to benefit a few. The true fans, and even many players are being used and abused in the process.

It is certainly not the game it was twenty years ago or even 10 years ago for that matter.

So no it is not 'just us' that see what is going on with the NRL it is in fact 'many'.

I would not go quite that far, but think the idea of certain teams being given every possible chance by the NRL of making the eight is plausible. There is no doubt that Parramatta and Penrith making the eight this year would be much wanted by the NRL because Western Sydney is huge for them. Queensland teams are also included on this preferred eight making list. Yes, little things like Watnough's injury not being included under the salary cap for Parramatta versus Matai and Stewart's injuries seem to indicate favouritism. Also, the current salary cap investigation witch hunt is suspicious. I suggest they look at teams like the Broncos, Roosters, Melbourne and Parramatta if they're after a few likely culprits regarding this issue. The draw each year is also clearly unfair as is the timing of matches e.g. Bronco's virtual ownership of Friday night. Refereeing has hit an all-time low and referees consistently seem to favour certain sides. This may not be true of course, but it is undoubtedly the perception of thousands of disenchanted fans. I fear that teams like Manly, Newcastle, Warriors, Canterbury, Souths are not favourites of the powers that be at present. It may be cyclical and could change in time, but suggestions of bias should not happen or even be perceived by fans as happening. This is the real issue for me. I don't want to believe for a minute the NRL doesn't like certain sides like Manly and don't want them to achieve success, but I am worried this might be the case.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It is so blatantly obvious that referees are instructed to influence the results of matches with all their power. You see it in every game, not just Manly games. It's getting beyond ridiculous and is turning more and more people away, the NRL favour their teams for each season on the basis of who will sell them the most coverage and stories.
I might be reading into it a bit much but let's have a look at the past few seasons.
2014: Souths end 43 year drought and is a great story for the game.
2015: All Qld grand final (first time ever and sold good stories)
2016: sharks win their first comp in their 50 years of trying.

Now, I'm not saying it's rigged but I definitely think certain teams are favoured by the grubs in administration each season.

Be bold, it's rigged!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I would not go quite that far, but think the idea of certain teams being given every possible chance by the NRL of making the eight is plausible. There is no doubt that Parramatta and Penrith making the eight this year would be much wanted by the NRL because Western Sydney is huge for them. Queensland teams are also included on this preferred eight making list. Yes, little things like Watnough's injury not being included under the salary cap for Parramatta versus Matai and Stewart's injuries seem to indicate favouritism. Also, the current salary cap investigation witch hunt is suspicious. I suggest they look at teams like the Broncos, Roosters, Melbourne and Parramatta if they're after a few likely culprits regarding this issue. The draw each year is also clearly unfair as is the timing of matches e.g. Bronco's virtual ownership of Friday night. Refereeing has hit an all-time low and referees consistently seem to favour certain sides. This may not be true of course, but it is undoubtedly the perception of thousands of disenchanted fans. I fear that teams like Manly, Newcastle, Warriors, Canterbury, Souths are not favourites of the powers that be at present. It may be cyclical and could change in time, but suggestions of bias should not happen or even be perceived by fans as happening. This is the real issue for me. I don't want to believe for a minute the NRL doesn't like certain sides like Manly and don't want them to achieve success, but I am worried his might be the case.

Michael, it's clearly obvious the current administration don't like us at all!!

Well to me anyway.

 

[Ralphie]

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.

Mark, I am 100% there with you. I am completely & utterly disillusioned with the game and I have gone from watching almost every game live every weekend to watching none. I have gone from holding Gold season tickets in the Jane Try stand and attending matches most weekends to a 3 match member and attending no games. Earlier this season before I stopped completely I never ever watched a game live because the outcome is so often decided by the referee that my blood pressure reached levels dangerous to my health.

My disposition towards the game has sadly negatively affected my disposition even to this site. There is no fun in the game anymore because you know we aren't among the "special" Clubs. I have cancelled the sports package on Foxtel and I won't be reconnecting any time soon. I periodically check the scores and that's it. Today's game in Melbourne is a foregone conclusion as the NRL celebrate cheating a Premiership and the 350th game for the best refereeing player in the games history.

It's so very very sad that the game I have loved for 55+ years, played for 15+ years has become the joke it now is. I find myself watching AFL these days and I hope to one day understand it, although there doesn't seem to be any rules beyond kill the dill with the pill. It is however, way more entertaining than NRL World Championship Wrestling.

For mean the decline started with the 2007 debacle and went seriously downhill after the 2013 GF. RIP Rugby League.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Mark, I am 100% there with you. I am completely & utterly disillusioned with the game and I have gone from watching almost every game live every weekend to watching none. I have gone from holding Gold season tickets in the Jane Try stand and attending matches most weekends to a 3 match member and attending no games. Earlier this season before I stopped completely I never ever watched a game live because the outcome is so often decided by the referee that my blood pressure reached levels dangerous to my health.

My disposition towards the game has sadly negatively affected my disposition even to this site. There is no fun in the game anymore because you know we aren't among the "special" Clubs. I have cancelled the sports package on Foxtel and I won't be reconnecting any time soon. I periodically check the scores and that's it. Today's game in Melbourne is a foregone conclusion as the NRL celebrate cheating a Premiership and the 350th game for the best refereeing player in the games history.

It's so very very sad that the game I have loved for 55+ years, played for 15+ years has become the joke it now is. I find myself watching AFL these days and I hope to one day understand it, although there doesn't seem to be any rules beyond kill the dill with the pill. It is however, way more entertaining than NRL World Championship Wrestling.

For mean the decline started with the 2007 debacle and went seriously downhill after the 2013 GF. RIP Rugby League.

I'm almost teared up in sadness reading that.

But mate they just don't care, we, old fans , are meaningless.

I'm not quite at the point you are but not far away.