NRL Repeat Set: Preseason 2.2
The preseason Repeat Set is back for another week as we countdown to the new-look Round 3.
The preseason Repeat Set is back for another week as we countdown to the new-look Round 3.
Three more sleeps…
That’s all we need to wait until live rugby league is back on the telly.
Until then, off-field stories continue to dominate.
Here’s the Repeat Set.
Delaying Payday
While not every Covid-inspired change is a good one, implementing rookie scale contracts would be one positive.
Via the Daily Telegraph:
“Clubs have been making proposals to a working group of veteran recruitment gurus convened by the NRL to look at setting up a rookie system that caps earnings and eliminates what one senior club executive described as ‘The Payne Haas’ effect.”
Usually supportive of rugby league players earning every cent they can throughout their careers (like John Bateman, for example), delaying that payday by a year could benefit the game overall.
Save desperate clubs from themselves by taking away the option to pay overs for a player they hope will be their savior.
Instead, encourage clubs to invest in development and reward them for it. A junior player is more likely to stay at a club if the money they’re being offered by others is equal. There is little reward for developing players in the game right now.
The RLPA still needs to approve the change, and while the money would ultimately filter up towards proven players anyway, negotiations still need to play out.
It’s early days, but it’s a start.
Spreading The Word Of Rugby League
So, the NRL doesn’t appear to be making the most of the opportunity to get the game in front of new fans.
There has been no extra advertising in America. At this stage, any games that will be shown won’t feature on a channel people actually watch. It’s all very rugby league.
So too is the desperation to remove even the shortest video from the likes of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Roy Masters recently wrote about Fox needing to make rugby league a world game. Within it, he spoke to Jamaica coach Romeo Monteith.
Monteith not only highlighted how developing countries are priced out of the WatchNRL product, but also that whenever he tries to attract new players to the game, they end up watching video of a different code:
“Most times when new players join the sport and I send them to watch games on YouTube, they end up watching union clips and 7s games which are readily available.”
Peter V’Landys is currently putting the finishing touches on the next broadcast deal. It’s unlikely, but here’s hoping he’s made things a little easier for fans and content creators to share vision of the game they’re trying to show the world.
One Referee: Locked In
We don’t need to get into my thoughts on the one referee system again: two referees is better. My thoughts on the worrying fashion this change has come about is also well documented.
Nonetheless, the NRL is pushing forward with one referee on a trial basis for the 2020 season.
Some will be disappointed the Professional Rugby League Match Officials didn’t go through with their hearing at the Fair Work Commission, but referees should be applauded for going as far down the path as they did. This should at least ensure they aren’t treated like a doormat the next time the ARLC and NRL propose changes.
To highlight just how silly it was for Peter V’Landys to bypass the PRLMO, referees have effectively agreed to what he originally proposed. Referee’s don’t need to be consulted before changes are made, but the common courtesy could have avoided the mud-slinging over the last fortnight.
Most importantly, it could have saved referees from more negative attention from the same footy fans claiming they will all of a sudden be happy and more willing to accept mistakes if the game is played with only one of them.
Good luck in Round 3, referees.
All eyes will be on you.
Firing Up The Green Machine
It’s shameless plug time…
When playing with the NRL’s best attack didn’t work for the Raiders, Ricky Stuart turned up to their 2019 preseason swinging.
“Alright guys, we’re changing things up, we’re going to be a defensive footy team.”
The numbers — and grand final appearance — tell the story.
So, the Raiders have the new-found defensive focus of potential premiers.
What next?
I took an in-depth look into Canberra’s premiership chances for StatsInsider.com.
Are Canberra Raiders ready to win the NRL Premiership?
Just a week after pegging the Canberra Raiders as the most likely team to infiltrate the Storm/Roosters bubble of…www.statsinsider.com.au
He’s Back!
Greg Inglis will be back playing rugby league in 2021.
Albeit not in Australia, news that we will get to see one of the greatest players of all time give it another crack with the Warrington Wolves is just what we needed to hear. For the Super League, they’ve just added one of the biggest names in the game for a season that will coincide with broadcast negotiations.
It’s good news for a few people, anyway…
In the most rugby league-like response you could ever imagine, the overwhelming commentary centered around an apparent salary cap rort. Inglis had all of a sudden been medically retired by social media…
First of all, Inglis wasn’t medically retired.
Second, the contract he gave up at the Rabbitohs was due to expire at the end of 2020 anyway. Inglis is free to sign anywhere he likes in 2021.
Third, if a planned salary cap rort starts with Inglis in your team and finishes with him off it, you’ve failed to rort anybody but yourself.
We don’t like nice things in rugby league, do we?
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A Look Ahead To Round 3
It’s almost here!
Finally.
Broncos vs Eels shapes as a ripper to get things underway. Both expect to be there at the pointy end of the season but we still need to see them string together consistent performances over a long period.
Cowboys vs Titans isn’t a blockbuster, but the prospect of Jason Taumalolo running for 400 metres makes it worth the watch. At worst, it’s a nice little entrée for the main event of Friday Night Footy: Roosters vs Rabbitohs.
Latrell Mitchell vs his former club — can’t wait.
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Warriors vs Dragons could be anything. So too could Sharks vs Tigers. We know Storm vs Raiders will be competing for Match of the Round, though.
The Storm don’t lose in Round 1 — this may as well be a season-opener.
The Raiders made it look easy against the Titans and Warriors. Although, they probably should. Will the new-look right side start to have a few teething issues now that it’s up against elite opposition?
Panthers vs Knights is flying under the radar a bit. Both clubs have impressed in the opening rounds, but how much of that form is real?
And the final match of the round: Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs. We love to get excited about the Bulldogs after they finish a season well. The trend of starting the next season poorly looks set to continue, though.
Get ready for some Round 3 overreactions.
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The NRL will go back to one referee for the rest of the 2020 season, but the reasons for such a move don’t wash with…medium.com