http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/3966029a6444.html
LEAGUE: Raging Bull charges into antics of AFL stars
By Steve Kilgallon - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 18 February 2007
As rugby league again faces another complaint about a high- profile player in a licensed establishment, with Penrith poring over CCTV footage of Craig Gower's Sydney night out and police considering an assault allegation, Gorden Tallis must know how Gower feels.
Even in retirement, Tallis couldn't escape the public eye when he apologised to a Brisbane barman after a disagreement last year, although a police complaint against the former Australian test forward was withdrawn.
It was suggested then that Tallis - possibly the best backrower of his generation, who retired two seasons ago - would lose his place on the board of the NRL.
Tallis, a fearsome footballer with Brisbane, Queensland and the Kangaroos, says he wasn't surprised when that sanction wasn't imposed, noting darkly: "Because they know the truth. The people that matter know the truth."
Then he expands: "The things you used to do in pubs, clubs and schools - you just don't get away with any more ... the world is changing so much and the media is a big part of it.
"No one wants to read that a bloke is a good guy, that he puts in at training and does everything for the game. They just don't want to read it."
Tallis was among former stars who spoke at this year's NRL Rookie Camp, an innovation now into its third year which attempts to ready young league players for the world of professional sport and prevent them claiming those negative headlines.
"To their credit, they (the speakers, who include Laurie Daley and Brad Clyde) say `I made this mistake, I made that mistake'. We spill our guts. It's not a sponsor or some old bloke telling them, it's often their childhood heroes saying `these are the mistakes I made ... just don't do them yourself'."
Tallis considers Australian Rules players to be much worse-behaved than league players, and that this generation of NRL footballers are the best-behaved in league history.
"The AFL are worse than us - they have rape allegations, drug allegations, fights in Ireland playing for their country (Carlton's Brendan Fevola was sent home from an international rules game in Dublin last year), fights in grand final week where they bashed a bloke."
Tallis says 99% of league players are "great representatives" and most reported incidents - such as his own - never result in charges.
"You don't have your private life anymore. That's the price you pay. When you sign your contract, you realise you are in the public eye."
Tallis remains in the public consciousness. He was in Auckland last week to promote the Community Carnival grassroots programme and to chat up Warriors sponsors at a corporate function. Clad in a Richie Benaud style cream suit, Tallis says he has coped with the transition from training ground to sponsors' gibberfest. "It's just life, isn't it," he says. "If I didn't like it, I wouldn't do it. I'm not afraid to say if I don't want to do anything."
He must like it: land agent, Foxtel commentator, newspaper columnist, radio caller, Telstra and Harvey Norman rep, NRL "ambassador" and board member. It contributes to a very different look to when he was on the field, screaming at referees, ripping into defences, glowering at opponents.
"Football was a release," says the Raging Bull. "I was there to have fun and enjoy myself. You might have seen me blow up, but I was enjoying myself."
There is at least one thing which stays true to the old image. Would he have a beer with his former foe, referee Bill Harrigan? "I'd have a chat," says Tallis. "But I wouldn't invite him round for a barbecue."
