Nathan Tinkler relinquishes ownership of the Newcastle Knights

[undertaker]

It was probably Joel Edwards, I'd be bitter if I had to play for Canberra, just like the fans who support them.

As solid as Edwards was at times, the Knights must be thanking their lucky stars that he didn't accept their first offer of $200k/year. No way is he a $200k/year player. Whoever was the person on the Knights board who tabled that offer needs to be taken out the back door for a harsh word.

Given that no other clubs besides the Raiders were chasing him (i.e. he wasn't in 'high demand'), I dunno what he was thinking by testing the Knights and declining the offer in the hope he was going to get a better one. Reminds me a lot of Petero when he was forced out of the Broncos the first time in 2008 because him and his manager baulked at the first offer thinking he was worth a lot more than he really was, only for that offer to be taken off the table. The only difference is that even in his mid-30s, Petero was 100x the forward that Edwards could hope at 24.

 

[undertaker]

Rothfield really is aching for something to be awry at the Knights.

Peverse, you've just highlighted the reason why I'm vehemently against the new club-media relation laws that were introduced last season - in order for journalists to get more access to the players - and why I can completely understand why people like Wayne Bennett have been the way they've been towards the media over the years.

I just find it extremely hypocritical of people like Paul Kent to bitch and whinge because they couldn't get more access to the players when he works for an organisation that has caused a lot of damage to players' and coaches' reputations (e.g. Brett Stewart incident and the 7 yr old girl's letter to Brian Smith are just two that come straight to mind). As much as you guys may think that Rothfield et al are just shitstirring to obtain more views on their website and that the players should just ignore it, what they don't understand is the potential damage they're causing to reputations. The Knights management shouldn't have to be in a situation where they'd constantly having to defend themselves because of one disgruntled player speaking to Rothfield. This wouldn't have been newsworthy 20 yrs ago.

The sad thing is that it's only been recently that players and coaches have started to wake up to what has been happening and they're now starting to take a stand (e.g. Benji Marshall earlier this year). If I was a RL player today, I definitely wouldn't want anything to do with these low-life grubs at all.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

What a disgusting clown Slothfield is

 

[undertaker]

as I wrote in another thread, while the ARLC does not provide any viable means for continuous exposure between now and December - such as regulating the player transfer market so it happens at the end of the year rather than the current all year long free for all - rugby league and sports journos are going to spend their time trying to find a story in anything and milk it for what it's worth. negative and sensationalised stories get more attention. no one gives a shit in puff pieces. besides it's too early to write up a story about how so and so is training the house down.

implementing such a thing extends the opportunity for league exposure. the NFL do it. games inc pre-season are played from August to February, but then there is Free Agency and trading that begins in March, the draft that in April, min-camps in May, training camps in July, etc. there's year long exposure for the league. the NBA do it, AFL do it, european football leagues do it. im not saying that the NRL needs a draft, but a regulated transfer period should be a priority, particular with the new rights deal and more money within the game.

an opportunity for the ARLC to maintain exposure for the NRL competition is lost and this period til the end of the year becomes a wasteland for the league. There is still a focus for media organisations to drum up stories because they need rugby league content - circulation and website hits decrease during this period. The ARLC aren't dong themselves a favour by shutting up shop the way they do.

I agree with you about the transfer window and glad you were not advocating a draft. A draft system only works in sports that have limited cross-code opportunities. AFL is the only professional organisation for aspiring Aussie Rules players to play in, whereas NRL players have ESL and rugby union.

 

[Apey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjSb8D1my4E

 

[Apey]

double

 

[eozsmiles]

Gids wouldn't lie........

 

[perverse]

Peverse, you've just highlighted the reason why I'm vehemently against the new club-media relation laws that were introduced last season - in order for journalists to get more access to the players - and why I can completely understand why people like Wayne Bennett have been the way they've been towards the media over the years.

I just find it extremely hypocritical of people like Paul Kent to bitch and whinge because they couldn't get more access to the players when he works for an organisation that has caused a lot of damage to players' and coaches' reputations (e.g. Brett Stewart incident and the 7 yr old girl's letter to Brian Smith are just two that come straight to mind). As much as you guys may think that Rothfield et al are just shitstirring to obtain more views on their website and that the players should just ignore it, what they don't understand is the potential damage they're causing to reputations. The Knights management shouldn't have to be in a situation where they'd constantly having to defend themselves because of one disgruntled player speaking to Rothfield. This wouldn't have been newsworthy 20 yrs ago.

The sad thing is that it's only been recently that players and coaches have started to wake up to what has been happening and they're now starting to take a stand (e.g. Benji Marshall earlier this year). If I was a RL player today, I definitely wouldn't want anything to do with these low-life grubs at all.

I agree with you, mate... but the Rugby League media have enjoyed being in control and at the top for so long, that they won't take kindly to being told to shit off. If I were in an NRL clubs shoes, I would give the media only the access that I am contractually obliged to give them to the players, the club, etc... and not an ounce more. They are grubs and will take you down in a second if it means a front page story that will sell advertising.

 

[eozsmiles]

It was obviously just a clerical error. Tinkler's people have had plenty of clerical errors in the past when it comes to paying people. Some have lasted for over a year. Expect more in the future.

 

[Silent Knight]

I agree with you, mate... but the Rugby League media have enjoyed being in control and at the top for so long, that they won't take kindly to being told to shit off. If I were in an NRL clubs shoes, I would give the media only the access that I am contractually obliged to give them to the players, the club, etc... and not an ounce more. They are grubs and will take you down in a second if it means a front page story that will sell advertising.

In a perfect world the ARLC would just introduce it's own internal media (through the NRL.com website for example) and block access to News Limited and Fairfax publications that only seek to bring the game down all the time (like the Telecrap). Give exclusive access to journalists like Steve Mascord who treat the game with the respect it deserves, and keep out the parasites.

HSG set a good precedent recently in dealing with the Newcastle Herald. But if there are contracts in place I guess there's only so much you can do...

 

[Big Tim]

With things like Twitface, MyBook and the teams very own websites, they dont need to give access to the media at all.

Why not do your own daily news on any of the above mentioned paltforms.

You can control the content, and still have an identity with the fans.

The sooner the NRL realise the "fans" dont pay attention to the papers, only the anti-RL morons, the sooner we can have all of the good things that happen in the game reported to an audience that has a genuine interest in the people involved.

 

[perverse]

The Knights are pretty much already there, Tim. The governing body... well... they lack the foresight, as always.

 

[Usain Bolt]

Knights in decline. Get rid of the scum club and their drug culture

 

[hrundi99]

Anyone thinking the clubs and the code can do without the main media coverage is kidding themselves...

 

[Red Bear]

In a perfect world the ARLC would just introduce it's own internal media (through the NRL.com website for example) and block access to News Limited and Fairfax publications that only seek to bring the game down all the time (like the Telecrap). Give exclusive access to journalists like Steve Mascord who treat the game with the respect it deserves, and keep out the parasites.

HSG set a good precedent recently in dealing with the Newcastle Herald. But if there are contracts in place I guess there's only so much you can do...

That wouldnt be a good thing at all, we'd just have a propaganda mouthpiece ala the AFL.

There's nothing wrong with healthy criticism, it helps identify areas for improvement and leads to a stronger game.

Telegraph writing (and Danny merkinbag Weidler writing) leans towards absolute sensationalist garbage and that is a problem which it would be nice to be able to eradicate.

Whilst im far from an American sports fanboi (I like baseball alot though) they seem to have the balance right on alot of their websites - good journalism isnt unreserved praise, it's critical thinking - laud what deserves praise, point out what does deserve criticism.

 

[bottle]

Only generating news from inside the clubs is not the way to go. It's like 'self regulation', a recipe for lies and half truths. A decent, independant media is the answer, but that's a struggle at present. Has it ever been different I wonder?

Meanwhile, good to see the Telucrap didn't disappoint today, The word 'Crisis' got a run on the back page. God bless 'em.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

You cant really blame ol Tink-Tink for not paying the Knights. They're that shit that they don't deserve to be paid.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

But he did pay them.

 

[betcats]

The sooner the NRL realise the "fans" dont pay attention to the papers, only the anti-RL morons, the sooner we can have all of the good things that happen in the game reported to an audience that has a genuine interest in the people involved.

If the fans dont pay attention to the papers why is there a meltdown on here over every second telegraph article?

 

[Big Tim]

The Knights are pretty much already there, Tim. The governing body... well... they lack the foresight, as always.

Look at the NFL. A guy drives his car on the wrong side of the road, while fleeing police...... It gets a 4 line report on NFL.com and ESPN briefly mentions that said player wont be available for the Steelers.

No crisis, no footballers being a bad example.

Anyone thinking the clubs and the code can do without the main media coverage is kidding themselves...

Well, quite clearly the main media will do match reports, game previews etc.

If the fans dont pay attention to the papers why is there a meltdown on here over every second telegraph article?

The meltdown is generally about how the game is portrayed to those who arent fans.

Those threads descend into arguments about how the media is ruining the image of the sport. Its actually one of the few topics that doesnt turn into "I am more fanboi than you" arguments as all agree the media is shit.