The Rumours Thread

[Hound of Dracula]

Money. Specifically the cost of taking all those players to away games. Travel, accommodation etc

Fair enough but very short sighted

They should have at least retained a reserve grade giving more exposure and experience to much emerging talent

No wonder we are complaining about the lack of first grade talent available, especially considering further NRL expansion.

Perth will ensure further dilution of talent and an overall, substandard quality of football bar the same top 4-5 teams.

Boring!

 

[Dragon David]

Money. Specifically the cost of taking all those players to away games. Travel, accommodation etc

Well that is their bloody fault. Expanding the numbers of teams and spreading them to all points of the continent and overseas to PNG and NZ what do they expect.

I don't know who would be doing the costing of it all but wouldn't it all balance out to be pretty much the same. For instance, don't the lower grades have to travel as well even though it isn't on the same day. Like our KOE Cup team having to play the Warriors in Auckland and we have a date to play them as well. Wouldn't that cost the same if they went there on the same day? Discounts maybe applying? I just don't get it.

The NRL/ARL make a motza anyway and they are the ones who want to promote the code and expanding it. They should bear the cost and that would benefit the fanbase rather than to build up the NRL/ARL Assets so that they can boast they have been a success. It's the fans that they have to please not their egos.

 

[RedVDave]

Simple solution for mine make the junior comps all NSW based if 2 NSW teams play each other have all 3 grades represented if not have at Henson Park or North Sydney Oval etc. I really miss watching all 3 grades playing felt I was really getting my money's worth.

 

[BLM01]

Money. Specifically the cost of taking all those players to away games. Travel, accommodation etc

I’m completely naive on this subject but what was wrong with the simple structure of all clubs having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade?

Correct to all but alas we will have 3 grades. NRL, NRLW and Under 21's to all eventually, although not sure the NRLW product will get as far as they hope at that top level nor stand alone to be a broadcasters single product.
We had the Under 20's before, same deal.
But now money will be funnelled to those 3 comps above, but like before skips reggies as no one cares about that product (I do) so no money and they keep playing in a sub tier run comp which I disagree with vehemently.
But reggies back on the radar will stop some players wanting out via managers as not on show.
Not everyone wants to go overseas.

 

[BLM01]

Money. Specifically the cost of taking all those players to away games. Travel, accommodation etc

NRL have the money to spend in $billion + thanks to broadcasters and can get deals with airlines, same plane as now just more players in it including reggies.
They just could not be bothered as it is not as exciting to watch as NRL or the womens (disagree) or the kids.

 

[BLM01]

Simple solution for mine make the junior comps all NSW based if 2 NSW teams play each other have all 3 grades represented if not have at Henson Park or North Sydney Oval etc. I really miss watching all 3 grades playing felt I was really getting my money's worth.

Agree because now you certainly do not get your moneys worth especially with rugby league ground catering.
For example at WIN which I visit every game, quality + prices including drinks are poor.

 

[since77]

Correct to all but alas we will have 3 grades. NRL, NRLW and Under 21's to all eventually, although not sure the NRLW product will get as far as they hope at that top level nor stand alone to be a broadcasters single product.

I think the NRLW is a fantastic initiative to give women a well deserved place in the game. Having said that I pretty much have zero interest in it. That will probably get me labelled as something politically incorrect but I've tried and it just doesn't do anything for me, even in the times I've watched the Dragons' girls play.
I do think its a vital element in the modern presentation of the game but I can't see it ever getting more than a niche audience.

 

[Dragon David]

I think the NRLW is a fantastic initiative to give women a well deserved place in the game. Having said that I pretty much have zero interest in it. That will probably get me labelled as something politically incorrect but I've tried and it just doesn't do anything for me, even in the times I've watched the Dragons' girls play.
I do think its a vital element in the modern presentation of the game but I can't see it ever getting more than a niche audience.

To me unless our girls are doing really well, I don't particularly put time aside to watch the games in the NRLW competition. I love watching their SOO games and the Womens World Cups etc. but as I said, if the Dragons girls are doing a good job in the comp I watch them, but now that they aren't I have little interest.

 

[RedVee]

To me unless our girls are doing really well, I don't particularly put time aside to watch the games in the NRLW competition. I love watching their SOO games and the Womens World Cups etc. but as I said, if the Dragons girls are doing a good job in the comp I watch them, but now that they aren't I have little interest.

I just watch our girls for as long as I can or until they start getting slaughtered. Whichever comes first.

I watch a bit of the Rep games.

 

[<StGeorgeDragons>]

Didnt know where to post this...

Full article here...

‘We’ve lost faith in them’: Balmain consider shock exit from Wests Tigers merger

Balmain directors want to table a proposal that could force the NRL to choose between the Balmain Tigers and Wests Magpies, as tensions rise at the joint venture.

www.smh.com.au

Balmain today.
St George tomorrow.

 

[Harry Bath]

I think the NRLW is a fantastic initiative to give women a well deserved place in the game. Having said that I pretty much have zero interest in it. That will probably get me labelled as something politically incorrect but I've tried and it just doesn't do anything for me, even in the times I've watched the Dragons' girls play.
I do think its a vital element in the modern presentation of the game but I can't see it ever getting more than a niche audience.

its probably because the dragons NRLW are not very good!, if they were winning I recon there would be more interest

 

[Saints supporter]

I would much rather watch watch first, reserve and third grade than NRLW but we are having NRLW force fed to us. Some may enjoy it but I'm just not interested.

 

[Harry Bath]

Balmain today.
St George tomorrow.

Balmain have no chance they don't even have a club, just

 

[Hound of Dracula]

I think the NRLW is a fantastic initiative to give women a well deserved place in the game. Having said that I pretty much have zero interest in it. That will probably get me labelled as something politically incorrect but I've tried and it just doesn't do anything for me, even in the times I've watched the Dragons' girls play.
I do think its a vital element in the modern presentation of the game but I can't see it ever getting more than a niche audience.

I'm the same
Good luck to them - hope it proves a winner but I'm not very interested.

 

[TheRev]

I also dont watch much NRLW, and perhaps its because we really have been awful.. but more than that our girls keep leaving each year.. something is wrong there.. it reminds me a bit of Crickets BBL which I do watch but also struggle to feel passionate about any of the sides... players just seem like mercenaries.. I really just follow players that I like wherever they end up playing.

That said for me who LOVES to track all 3 grades of mens footy, 5 when SG is on.. and maybe itll be 7 one day with HM.. like thats all the attention space I have to give.. I can barely keep up.. but I'm not the audience they are after for NRLW..

One big positive about NRLW though and nothing to do with us oldies... if it engages more young viewers, the more young people interested in any rugby league is a big win for the future of the game.. a lot of us nostalgic oldies wont be around forever.. we need new generations of ppl to support the game, buy memberships, pay for Kayo etc etc..

 

[Draginzaaar]

I just watch our girls for as long as I can or until they start getting slaughtered. Whichever comes first.

I watch a bit of the Rep games.

I don't watch any of it. It's rubbish.

 

[Dragon David]

I can see that there are many of us just waiting for another Rumour to hit this Thread.

Hahaha!

 

[Sir Donald Reacharound]

Successful organisations of today must operate within community expectations to maintain a social licence. And 'community' is not restricted to customers/members/fans of organisations.

This is why we see the governance responsibilities of company boards expanded to include the oversight of programs including (but not limited to) Reconciliation Actions Plans, Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Equality, Cultural Awareness, etc.

The future sustainability and growth of the game is dependent on the ARLC's (and member clubs) ability to navigate this new landscape, and the ability to participate in and have the opportunity to see broadcasts of the women's game will become a non-negotiable element to maintaining that social licence.

If I am suddenly taken by the urge to watch something far more entertaining than the Shute Shield, I have on occasion instructed my secretary warm up the Sony Trinitron, and marvelled at how far the NRLW has come in such a short time.

 

[BLM01]

I also dont watch much NRLW, and perhaps its because we really have been awful.. but more than that our girls keep leaving each year.. something is wrong there.. it reminds me a bit of Crickets BBL which I do watch but also struggle to feel passionate about any of the sides... players just seem like mercenaries.. I really just follow players that I like wherever they end up playing.

That said for me who LOVES to track all 3 grades of mens footy, 5 when SG is on.. and maybe itll be 7 one day with HM.. like thats all the attention space I have to give.. I can barely keep up.. but I'm not the audience they are after for NRLW..

One big positive about NRLW though and nothing to do with us oldies... if it engages more young viewers, the more young people interested in any rugby league is a big win for the future of the game.. a lot of us nostalgic oldies wont be around forever.. we need new generations of ppl to support the game, buy memberships, pay for Kayo etc etc..

Thats OK, and as others have indicated, it is not politically incorrect to not like it, support etc, freedom of choice and speech.
I will declare first I have a vested interest in 1 NRLW player and support it for that
But I preferred their natural raw product of NRLW for the first few years and even their sub tier product when they had their own styles and teams had a mix of local talent.
But with a small few becoming full time player / community or media people for the clubs and other broadcasters and YES now professionals with PM's their product is seemingly looking like a higher pitched version of the mens game at all fronts which is not everyone's cup-of-tea including females.
The game is growing for the lure of stardom and lining pockets at a pace outpacing the talent to handle it alone.
There is a reason that womens AusTag and Touch are killing it because despite the narrative more females playing hybrid versions do not or want transfer to play a predominantly mens or contact sport. And a few who have got there want out. Some always will but at what level of numbers we will find out with expansion in the soon years to come.
I hope it goes well but not sold just yet, but we all have to acknowledge the growth in 10 years across all levels has boomed for the girls, unfortunately mens at sub tier levels especially country is going backwards.

In respect to our club nothing is really wrong potentially, we have the biggest nursey available to us and are trying to develop better pathways systems (long way to go.).
But what I do know first hand in respect to some developing girls and boys (not on full time contracts) is other clubs do more in support or assisting their journey outside of playing / training, offering more incentives to entice moving.
Some longer term football club staff as well at development level including some ex local legends need to be moved on if we are to truly become a super power development club we should be and start investing in and spend $$$$
Now all that is over to our CEO / GM of football to address and of course BOD. Lets cross fingers.

 

[Old Timer]

I’m completely naive on this subject but what was wrong with the simple structure of all clubs having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade?

There was nothing wrong with it but as expansion of the comp was undertaken external of Sydney the new clubs could not implement 3 grades to comply.

So that meant that competent reserve graders all of a sudden had better opportunities elsewhere.