Doesnt happen in other sports, journos quickly realise which side their bread is buttered and fall into line. Just giving them free reign to sht on the game with no consequence is creating a damn site more damage to public and corporate perception of the game than short term teeth nashing of a few journos who get accreditation privalleges suspended or cancelled if they f**k the game over too many times,
In the media deal news ltd have promised to promote the game positively, just hold them to it. Presuming of course the NRL was sensible enough to actually write it into the contract?
AFL the media grovels at the feet of that code,its admin and players in Melbourne.They have an off field incident ,gets in the paper for a day,then quickly forgotten.The AFL has a large number of captains of industry involved ,the media doesn't want to get them offside.That code has such a huge presence in Victoriania ,getting them offside,means loss of paper sales.They have Melbourne virtually to themselves.
In Sydney ,the media can pass on fluff pieces for the fumblers ,if they don't get NRL stories.
Here we have DUI Bec posing as an NRL fan,but has openly stated she is a Swan's fan.The News mob have too many ex Mexicans involved at high level including their Editor,Southern press does not have NRL influence.
The point is, here if a NRL player goes off the rails,it is in the paper day after day.
The Herald let's clowns like FitzSimons regularly swipe at the code.
Why did the Telegraph hide a story about AFL player Proud being jailed ,tucked away with a few lines at the bottom of a page?.Ask the AFL inclined Editor.
Even Patrick Smith in the News owned Australian had a second shot at NRL recently.
You obviously have never heard of freedom of the press,you can;t gag unless you want to live in Saudi Arabia or Nth Korea.
Positives usually comes with contra for any PR work,and the Sharks are now getting a decent run.
News Ltd Telegraph and SMH print sales are down,and contuse to drop.If they don't get the message now they never will.
Well as you helped write the NRL TV and media deals,we know they would have listened to your expert advice LOL.
You did hear Murdoch's quip"We prefer AFL" I'll say no more.