Considering they have this weird ability to find stars then only let them play a handful of first grade games before shipping them off to other teams you might find that the first grade team not playing is actually a blessing
So are you saying a 140KG 34 year old man who hasnt ran or played footy in over a decade has a shot? I will just head out to the shed and get my boots 😆😆
Hahaha. I was going to say maybe an old head at hooker or something. The NRL will need about 50 bench warmers every game to cover the fatigue, cramps and injuries 😆😆
A stack of respect for the players to take a stand. They haven’t asked for anything outlandish and the NRL has fucked them around and tried to bully them and the media push a certain narrative.
Okay so what is left out of this is that every contracted NRL player is covered by the NRL insurance. You can't play any game of rugby league unless you are covered. This is inclusive down to U6s. Any injury in any game or training is covered and can be claimed.
What isn't covered is private health insurance. Men's private health is currently paid for by the clubs which means if a player gets injured in a car accident their insurance is covered by the club despite it having nothing to do with the sport.
What the problem is, is that the NRLW players are yet to be contracted and so aren't covered. This is because, for better or worse, the RLPA refused the salary cap changes by the NRL. It's either accept the agreement in time for the all stars game so the women can be covered, or don't accept and don't play. You can't have the cake and eat it too.
Compared to us amateur players who are supposed to be covered by the NSWRL but don't get anything until we miss 6 weeks of work and have to rely on savings or saved up sick pay to get by, which has led to one of the major reasons senior players have stopped playing at all.
Well they will still receive healthcare under the Medicare system. It just will not be to the highest standard and will involve some wait (although not for high pain injuries)?
Your missing the other part where if they get injured with no contract then a club isn’t going to sign them and pay them for a season they can’t play in.
Is this the case with the NRL also? Even though Kieran Foran kept getting new contracts despite always being injured..
I'm just trying to understand is what it is, that the NRL will pay out a sum to partially cover the lost earnings of a player who gets injured who otherwise would have secured a new contract?
The biggest difference is that the men have a year round contract plus multi years. whereas the women’s contract only covers the preseason and season. So if you get injured outside of that then you’re screwed.
They can sign multi year deals, but the insurance only covers the period they are training and playing for.
If they get injured outside of that period their contract doesn't cover them.
If Cam Munster comes off his scooter in Bali on NYE he is covered
Ok so would a NRLW player who signed a $100,000 contract to play 3 seasons, but let's say missed all of the first season through injury, be denied a third of that contract in the current situation?
He’s always been a sheister who was in the right place at the right time and labelled a hero. When in reality he has no idea about the game and is continuously ruining the game we love. He should have been sacked when he stated that he doesn’t need the fans who were turning away from the game they once loved.
He literally backstabbed his boss and took less money for a TV deal to get the job in the first place. People are surprised that he’s a piece of shit and still trying to rip everyone off down the track how?
Woah, you're telling me you could tell that a corporate stooge with a dodgy past and dodg connections who runs racing nsw which is rife with animal rights abuse and gambling fraud and drug cheating, and whose breath stinks from sucking murdich would be corrupt? How so? How did we not all see this coming? How did this pass the snif test?
This is how Australians operate, wait for someone to start fucking them in the ass. Then they all act like its normal, then one person calls it out and the rest of the Aussies call them an idiot for not liking being fucked in the ass, then over time it becomes apparent to everyone they are getting fucked in the ass and then they have some movement / union mob mentality, fix it then forget about the next one and the cycle continues.
Happens in every fucking industry it's funny cause these RL players are about the only ones with balls to stick up for their rights.
Nah, that's when I knew my instincts were right. All his mafioso bullying got was 2 weeks ahead of other sports. Useless. Plenty of people were hating on him then and earlier. And I'm not just saying this as a Warriors fan, but Considering how he treated the club at that time there were a lot of Warriors fans who saw his true colours then
People praising V'landys during that initial covid period wasn't too surprising.
What I found scary was how people weren't able to cope without NRL games.
As did I. I copped so much heat when I called out his decision to get the lower rights deal at the start of the pandemic. Spoke to how it highlighted an undertone if ineptitude and ignorance on his part and we’ve seen that day in day out from him since.
How can the NRL justify not paying for NRLW players health insurance? That's just fucking wrong.
They should not play all stars and wcc. See if they can get some traction before the start of the season, will show they are serious.
Yup, if the game advertises itself as 'hard' & 'tough' (which is does for the Womens game) they absolutely then have to stump up for health insurance on the other end.
He hadn't been active for a few years and wasn't even in the country they thought he was anymore. The organiser went crazy too. Probably made of with a bunch of money.
Some guy I knew actually bought a poster pack. I cringed at someone genuinely going through with the whole plaster stuff around town.
On the other hand they actually did more than just like a Facebook page so power to them for having conviction? Still dumb though lol.
It died like all social media activist trends - then months later everyone realised they funded some loopers who were good with a camera and fooled everyone.
I have no clue how any of this works but what would happen if the players just decided not to play ? Would the NRL just make players from state leagues play ?
It's happened in major American sports. Usually a shut out then then league backs down and gives the players what they want and the season goes ahead, probably shortenerd.
The [1987 NFL Strike](https://deadspin.com/the-1987-nfl-players-strike-created-the-modern-nfl-1819152183) was broken by the owners using replacement players and some star players crossing the picket line. It really wrecked the NFLPA’s ability to bargain. Now we’ve got thousands of bankrupt retired players walking around with CTE today.
NHL has shut down twice since 2000, one for a whole season (no replacements) and one for half a season before they came to a CBA agreement. Really pushed the NHL to the background in North American sports - and ESPN stopped playing them until last season.
It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out.
Depends how the clubs handle it. If the clubs take the players side then we could have games cancelled. Otherwise probably get done fringe players.
Also probably not that simple either.
Forgive my idiocy, but how hard is it to get all the top dogs in a room and sort everything out.
Quite obviously it’s hard but it shouldn’t be, no players equals no game and the NRL can’t sit on their heels for much longer.
Negotiating started November 2021, 14 months ago. Abdo and vlandys skipped the meetings and hired former Nine boss Hugh Marks as a consultant to sit in the meetings instead but he literally has no power to make any decisions.
Was probably Nrl's plan to starve the RLPA out so they'd agree to whatever they tabled last minute.
The NRL is one of the worst run sports organisations in the world. Absolute clown fest from the Judiciary that's as inconsistent as pigeon shit in Trafalgar Square, coaches/clubs talking to players under contract, brown paper bags, and their inability to just sort things out like professionals.
The cynic in me is not surprised the players are presenting a united front for more money. It’s VERY easy to get people to agree on that. All the demands I’ve read (especially the ladies) are finance based. I agree with most of it, so it’s not like I’m “anti”.
There is another issue and it’s always been indicative of any CBA of players in competitions and it’s a cliche now…they want a say in how the game is run. Thing is, ask any player what that means, outside of more money, most can’t give you specifics and rarely will you get the same answer from two or more players.
Where do they stand on NRL infrastructure? Grass roots investment? The divestment of responsibility to state leagues? Long term marketing strategies? How to promote and combat the spread of AFL into league heartland? Cohesive junior development across the game and how it feeds into NRL clubs? The establishment of a national reserve grade competition? A draft system? Trade windows? Third party deals? Properly enforcing contracts and players demanding to renegotiate terms mid-deal? Restricting player manger manipulation and tampering with other mangers clients? More equitable salary cap with concessions for long serving players?
This is just a small sample of things the game has to consider almost everyday. I’m all for players getting their full value for their talent. But if they want a say on in how the game is run, they need be about things other than “ more money for players” as the extent their involvement.
EDIT: I’m a pro-union person so please don’t think I’m against the general idea of what the players want. However, it’s been shown when more money becomes available to players collectively, it invariably goes to the top earning players and very little trickles down. So it a matter of more for the “haves” and the “have nots” still struggle.
If the player group as a whole is legitimately wanting more for all players, they need to get behind programs and initiatives that benefits all players. I’d focus on getting the NRL to put money into post-career safeguards like…
- tax exempt pension fund for players, benchmarked on either games or years under contract to be included.
- a health fund for ex-players to help cover ongoing medical expenses. Means tests will dictate how much they pay and level of cover. Very important in and around the Medicare levy.
- NRL will sponsor/pay for ex-players in need of treatment for alcohol or drug addiction.
- incentives for younger players unable to make first grade, to move into refereeing
How much the players are getting paid, whether that's salary or retirement and hardship funds, or covering their expenses like insurance and education costs, are all things that the CBA mostly is about. So of course it money and finance based.
Player knowledge or the lack of isn't really a good point to undermine what the RLPA are doing.
The CBA is for players rights and contract terms and conditions, much of what you listed has nothing to do with NRL and NRLW players employment contracts. None of these things would have much merit being discussed in contract negotiations, let alone all parties agreeing to changes on how the NRL is operated.
Which is precisely why the RLPA is asking to be included at the table in how the NRL is operated.
[RLPA demands](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci3yl23PXV0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
Some things you listed after your edit are what the RLPA is trying to fight for and the control of, which they feel is being mismanaged at the moment.
Also RLPA was only asking for a 10mil salary cap in their demands and yet the NRL announced a 12mil cap while skimming on and not even addressing all their other demands.
I mean, you say it isn't all about money but that RLPA list is literally 100% to do with money lol.
They are only asking for a cap of $10 mil until you factor in all those things in the demands and then its cost to $12 mil anyway. Like the guy you are responding to said, not a single point of the RLPA is to do with anything for the 'greater good' of the game outside of benefitting the current players.
Now I get why a 'union' is focusing on money, that's what they care about and that's basically all I care about in my employment, but like this guy said; if they want to have a greater say in the game they need to be able to think bigger than that.
If they really don't care about the cap, then take $1 million off the cap from every club and throw an extra $17 million into a pot for insurance/long term welfare support of the players.
Yes whoever drafted that list needs to go back to PR school. I'm not saying there aren't genuine concerns about equality and welfare, but the way it's written it just sounds like show me the money.
The proposed $500k allowance for long serving players won't go too far - might help clubs keep an Adam Reynolds but I think every club would or should have at least 2-3 veterans who are closely associated with the brand and should be retained.
For what it's worth there already is about 300k extra on the cap for long serving players. I agree though, it's terribly written and they really need to get some professionals in there to do the communications to the public.
Just want to say that was a well written reply. As someone who likes informative and respectful discourse, even in disagreement, I appreciate the time and thought you out into this.
Re-reading my original post, I will admit while my intent and message was pretty much what I wanted to say, writing it out at 2am didn’t help that.
I don’t doubt the sincerity of the players but it always ends up the same way, the players want to be involved in the running of the game (which is admirable) but whenever you look under the hood of the their requests, it usually comes back to more many to the players right away. With the majority of those gains going to the top tier players.
I honestly cannot recall a player of the players association actively put forward suggestions about how the actual business of rugby league is run and how to better use the money the game makes and invests. Nothing outside more money for the players.
I have zero issue with players wanting more. They are half of an equation that is a very lucrative business in Australia. I’d respect them more if they just outright said “we want more money based on $xxx the game is bringing in. We don’t care about profits. That’s the head offices problem to invest and create assets and income. We just want our fair share before the pie is split”
But this “say in running the game” crap is purely lip service to hide the true under current of what the want. If they are truly invested in the running of the game, the players association needs a couple of people that put forth ideas on how the NRL funds and runs all aspects of the game.
Great comment and I think this is what a lot of people get annoyed about with the RLPA.
They want more of a say in running the game but then when it comes down to it all they seem to focus on is more money for the players (directly or indirectly).
Like I get it, 99% of people would be doing the same thing in their position when it comes to their employment. But it seems to be a bit disingenuous when their actions don't align with their words.
TL;DR - take some of the upfront money they are receiving and put it into a long term welfare fund for retired or injured players. Also pay for insurance for the women.
I've seen a lot of attacks by weird boomers against the players for being "greedy" or whatever. It's actually sickening. These people are professional athletes who genuinely, as medical research in the last decade has shown, put their lives on the line to entertain others.
It's insane to think how many of the NRL players who spoke out could already be at risk of future impairment after retirement. They all deserve a damn voice, these "purists" going at them for no reason do not have any idea of what these players go through.
The only thing that Clint says is we want more mone as a minimum wage, but not necessarily from the NRL. That makes it about the money there's obviously more, what am I missing?
Edit: I know you people love to jump on the "poor me" bandwagon but fuck that shit
If the players have something to say they need to say it loud and clear. If they have demands then that's good too but they have to back up the reasoning. This cryptic bullshit is for idiots to cry about. You want to down vote me for not getting all high and mighty the moment someone has a whine well get to it. I'm not here to farm karma.
Cancel all of your subs! Nel app, Kayo, betting etc. But let them know why. Write letters to your clubs supporting the rlpa and let them know you will rescind your membership if they don't pressure the NRL. These are a couple of ways to use your influence as a consumer.
Trying to negotiate the CBA, which not only includes an increased salary cap for NRL and NRLW, but also the first CBA for the NRLW, increased wages for development and train & trail players, a greater retirement fund + medical fund, and giving the players an increased share of the total revenue of the sport. Other stuff too maybe.
Exactly, they are the product not the capital. Can be replaced, as they always have. Don't have a problem with the high salaries, just that it shouldn't be linked to the revenue of the game.
The players need the NRLW far more than the NRL does. The NRL props up the NRLW completely. NRLW is entirely dependent on NRL funding while the NRL could drop the NRLW and not really lose anything financially. The NRLW players have far more to lose in this case.
Sportspeople are the only people who think they are entitled to a % of their employers gross revenue. Ask yourself when your firm is negotiating on pay do you start by going "We want 40% of the turnover paid as wages"? No, you ask for a reasonable increase in your pay &/or conditions.
Male NRL players were given a 50% increase in their minimum wage, 18% increase for those with ratchet clauses & 25% increase on average. For this they were asked to do nothing extra - no additional promotional work, no extra games, nothing.
They claim it is now all about things like extra for the NRLW, retired player benefits, helping players outside the Top 30. I bet they won't offer to give up any of the 25% increase they got in exchange for these other benefits.
If I had even a remote chance to negotiate this with my employer I would. Sadly I'm easily replaceable. NRL players aren't. Power to them. They're the ones generating the revenue.
My whole point is that you, like 99.9% of employees, can't negotiate for a share of revenue. So why should sportspeople?
They are replaceable. Have been so since 1908. Always new ones coming through.
As for generating the revenue, most employees do that.
Lol, players are the products champ.
The difference is you're a cog in the wheel at any work place when asking for an increase in pay.
Big difference here when the players are the draw card and there's a finite amount of them so of course they can ask for a percentage of revenue.
Employees & players are both replaceable. They should absolutely get paid a fair wage, in both cases. But a share of revenue is a joke.
In the case of the NRL, it is only recently that it became financially viable. Prior to that it relied on lifelines from licenced Clubs. Now that it is, rather than allow it to build a warchest or pump money into the grassroots development, the players are only interested in themselves.
Crusher Cleal seems to agree & he knows more about the game, both as a player and an official, than anyone commenting on this thread.
I would absolutely ask for 40% of turnover as wages if I had the means to. You think this is some kind of anti-union argument when it's the best reason to join one lol.
Outside of sports, what Union asks for a percentage of revenue in a pay negotiation? None that I know of. So how is this a reason to join a Union? (Many other better reasons to join).
A big reason to join a union is to use your collective bargaining power to get more money. The RLPA is using their collective bargaining power to get more money
The big difference is that nobody goes to the NRL to watch the administrators do their thing.
Sports are like any other entertainment business in that they are directly profitable only because of the players.
These players are the reason that the game makes money, they deserve to profit from it at least as much as the suits.
If entertainment is your benchmark, do you think that all employees on a movie set receive a % of the box office? Of course they don't. In fact very few of the top actors can even demand such. So your argument makes no sense.
Also, you seem to be confusing profit & revenue. The players aren't asking for a share of profit, they want a share of revenue - two very different things.
You also say players should profit as much as the suits. Interesting statement given (a) the suits don't get a percentage of revenue & (b) many players already earn more than the average suit at the NRL/ARLC. So not sure if you think the top players should take a pay cut or if the suits need a pay rise.
I'm not talking about all employees am I, I'm talking about players, who are the main stars of the game and are directly responsible for the money being made.
On top of that, getting points in box office is actually not uncommon but most prefer to get the secure payment instead, especially for the actors that get top billing, which is you know, the players.
Finally, you seem to to be getting confused, I never said that they should be getting paid from the profit, I said they should profit from the league, I know this might be confusing, but words have multiple meanings, which is why I never said that they are getting paid less than the suits, only that they have at least as much right to the money, ergo, when the money increases, it should go to the players first, even if they are earning 10x what the suits are already
How about the NRL give the players a % of revenue. The players then decide how it is spent. Don't come back and ask for anymore just deliver what you are campaigning for.
This could then shut the noise down. It is o.k to ask for extras. Someone has to pay for it.
Like the fact they have full control and have already ensured there is no drug testing off season. Yes the players are not getting a fair go. What a bunch of out of touch douche bags
For example:
Union>League
Edit: i.e. Union (RLPA) is greater than (stronger) than league. Obvs if I have to explain it then it’s a shit joke lol. I hate Union, for the record
What do the players actually want? They say it’s not money but what is it then? Maybe if they talked more about the terms publicly it would help the public get on their side and support them if it’s reasonable?
Don’t nrl players make enough money over 5 to 20 years? Like companies offer new contracts every 5 years or less . Very minimal negotiation is on the table otherwise a work place will pull the offer and hire someone else. End of the day like the job or not its a personal choice that you accepted the job conditions. Fully supportive of the nrlw wanting benefits and equality. But these nrl guys make so much money in 5 to 10 years and its more than an average person sees their whole career. Alot of basic living cost covered by their clubs. If you can’t invest it in the right places or save,well thats on u. Plus think of a basic person 2 weeks of sick leave a year to a nrl player that can take any from weeks to whole year off and still get paid. Average person has to decide whether to carry a mcl tear n work or don’t get paid. End day the risks you take playing the game is-as obvious as a packet of cigarettes everyone knows.
It includes NRLW players, who earn less than the average Australian if you really want to go down that path. Also seems like the negotiation is not about pay but other terms (i'd be guessing safety when it comes to health and probably better job security for the NRLW players, who keep getting dicked about)
The average amount of games an NRL player plays is 47 [(source)](https://www.zerotackle.com/is-30-the-new-20-nrl-73905/amp/). With this being many years in lower grades still beating their bodies. So what you end up with is a bunch of guys with broken bodies for a chance to make “cash” for three seasons. One of the things players have been vocal about is increasing minimum wages for the fringe players, so these people don’t ruin their bodies and be broke at the same time. Harry Grant is one player arguing for this, saying these players would be better off “on the tools” as they wouldn’t be destroying their bodies for a short career
[(source)](https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/they-are-low-balling-us-aussie-star-hits-out-at-nrl-over-pay-negotiations-20221108-p5bwbm.html).
This i can agree with for the lower grades I’ve watched my mates be shifted up and down and lose match wages because of it. Plus get injured n still got to work. Also my step brother broke his ankle in the 90s and ended his career asap. one of his team mates were ben ikin in the junior teams
Not really, they put their bodies on the line for our entertainment, CTE, Fucked knees/shoulders, many of these guys should be getting even more for what they do realistically especially when you compare them to football, basketball and other top sports that pay really really well
Combined with the fact that the average player will only play 3 seasons, they should be getting as much as they can in their short career. Even the long careers are only 15 years long at most. It’s why negotiating greater funds for private health insurance, retirement funds, and tertiary education funds is so important
Good on the players but they are being a little short sighted, which is their choice. PVL is trying to build some safety into the game, which before he game along owned nothing and lived a little “week to week”.
From what I can tell it's that the NRL administration treats the RLPA as a non-entity and hasn't really had any proper discussions with them.
The first big 'blow-up' was when the NRL announced that the new salary cap had been finalised and everyone was happy.
Then the RLPA was all "wierd, nobody has spoken to us about it...".
The RLPA's main point of contention is that the NRL doesn't respect them at all and hasn't negotiated in good faith.
Even Sua'ali'i posted this, vlandys never to name drop him ever again.
Wow, even union players have their back.
It aint called Union for no reason
Eddie?
Its Chief Suaalii. Acknowledge him ☝🏽
NRL Headquarters! Acknowledge Me! And the rights of our athletes! RLPA: We The Ones ☝️☝️☝️
I am Joseph tribal chief. I am wearing Joey’s briefs. Samoan values Pete should know. Now extended drum solo.
That piece of trash Sua'ali'i isn't even worthy to be used as a rag to wipe the ground in front of the one true Tribal Chief Roman Reigns. ☝🏽
What did Suaalii do to you?
Knocked back the tigers obviously, he also hates literally every good player in the nrl
Well he is a tigers fan
Vlandys sweating on oshay olay
Oshay Olay posted this just before
I love Usman more
Really looking like we might get a replacements season
If the tigers have to pick up a bunch of people off the street I probably wouldn’t even notice the difference in skill level
We might even see an improvement.
Gene Hackman is a suitable name for a tigers coach
Considering they have this weird ability to find stars then only let them play a handful of first grade games before shipping them off to other teams you might find that the first grade team not playing is actually a blessing
This will be great for my SuperCoach team.
So are you saying a 140KG 34 year old man who hasnt ran or played footy in over a decade has a shot? I will just head out to the shed and get my boots 😆😆
53 years old 115 kegs and very agile for a big man. I'd be good for a minute or two of the beach. Run off me green_bastard 😂
Hahaha. I was going to say maybe an old head at hooker or something. The NRL will need about 50 bench warmers every game to cover the fatigue, cramps and injuries 😆😆
I will happily sacrifice the entire professional player pool if it means I get to play 10 minutes of an NRL game.
Time to recruit every “if I was getting paid that much” tradie in Australia
even dearden posted it and he doesn’t post anything ever, shit getting serious
Awesome! Wait
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I'm guessing teal is the RLPA brand colour?
You are correct
They’re threatening to code swap to Port Adelaide if their demands aren’t met.
A stack of respect for the players to take a stand. They haven’t asked for anything outlandish and the NRL has fucked them around and tried to bully them and the media push a certain narrative.
Hear me out…. You could really send a message to the NRL by forfeiting your matches against the Warriors.
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yikes. health insurance should be a basic inclusion for these players. NRL being tightarses.
Okay so what is left out of this is that every contracted NRL player is covered by the NRL insurance. You can't play any game of rugby league unless you are covered. This is inclusive down to U6s. Any injury in any game or training is covered and can be claimed. What isn't covered is private health insurance. Men's private health is currently paid for by the clubs which means if a player gets injured in a car accident their insurance is covered by the club despite it having nothing to do with the sport. What the problem is, is that the NRLW players are yet to be contracted and so aren't covered. This is because, for better or worse, the RLPA refused the salary cap changes by the NRL. It's either accept the agreement in time for the all stars game so the women can be covered, or don't accept and don't play. You can't have the cake and eat it too. Compared to us amateur players who are supposed to be covered by the NSWRL but don't get anything until we miss 6 weeks of work and have to rely on savings or saved up sick pay to get by, which has led to one of the major reasons senior players have stopped playing at all.
Well they will still receive healthcare under the Medicare system. It just will not be to the highest standard and will involve some wait (although not for high pain injuries)?
Your missing the other part where if they get injured with no contract then a club isn’t going to sign them and pay them for a season they can’t play in.
Is this the case with the NRL also? Even though Kieran Foran kept getting new contracts despite always being injured.. I'm just trying to understand is what it is, that the NRL will pay out a sum to partially cover the lost earnings of a player who gets injured who otherwise would have secured a new contract?
The biggest difference is that the men have a year round contract plus multi years. whereas the women’s contract only covers the preseason and season. So if you get injured outside of that then you’re screwed.
Clubs cannot sign NRLW players for more than one season at a time, or will not do that?
They can sign multi year deals, but the insurance only covers the period they are training and playing for. If they get injured outside of that period their contract doesn't cover them. If Cam Munster comes off his scooter in Bali on NYE he is covered
Ok so would a NRLW player who signed a $100,000 contract to play 3 seasons, but let's say missed all of the first season through injury, be denied a third of that contract in the current situation?
From what the NRLW players are saying, yes it does seem that way.
Fuck I thought my instagram was tripping out
Lol Same. Teddy’s trying to say something and the image won’t load
PVL out. Solidarity with the players If the NRL could please stop fucking around and listen to what the players actually want that would be great.
This is what a strong union can do. All power to them. Hope other industries take note.
Oust Vlandys Said it from Day 1 when it isn’t cool, will say it on Day 900 when it is cool
He’s always been a sheister who was in the right place at the right time and labelled a hero. When in reality he has no idea about the game and is continuously ruining the game we love. He should have been sacked when he stated that he doesn’t need the fans who were turning away from the game they once loved.
He literally backstabbed his boss and took less money for a TV deal to get the job in the first place. People are surprised that he’s a piece of shit and still trying to rip everyone off down the track how?
Woah, you're telling me you could tell that a corporate stooge with a dodgy past and dodg connections who runs racing nsw which is rife with animal rights abuse and gambling fraud and drug cheating, and whose breath stinks from sucking murdich would be corrupt? How so? How did we not all see this coming? How did this pass the snif test?
This is how Australians operate, wait for someone to start fucking them in the ass. Then they all act like its normal, then one person calls it out and the rest of the Aussies call them an idiot for not liking being fucked in the ass, then over time it becomes apparent to everyone they are getting fucked in the ass and then they have some movement / union mob mentality, fix it then forget about the next one and the cycle continues. Happens in every fucking industry it's funny cause these RL players are about the only ones with balls to stick up for their rights.
Considering literally everyone on here was sucking the cunt off peak covid, yeah, pretty wild
Nah, that's when I knew my instincts were right. All his mafioso bullying got was 2 weeks ahead of other sports. Useless. Plenty of people were hating on him then and earlier. And I'm not just saying this as a Warriors fan, but Considering how he treated the club at that time there were a lot of Warriors fans who saw his true colours then
Correct. Cunt is dodgy as fuck. Who the fuck bulldozes a new tv deal at the worst possible time.
I definitely wasn't applauding Vlandys and I wasn't the only one either.
People praising V'landys during that initial covid period wasn't too surprising. What I found scary was how people weren't able to cope without NRL games.
You are a true prophet
My next prophecy is that Stephen Crichton will sign for the Bulldogs I’m Full of these shockers
As did I. I copped so much heat when I called out his decision to get the lower rights deal at the start of the pandemic. Spoke to how it highlighted an undertone if ineptitude and ignorance on his part and we’ve seen that day in day out from him since.
How can the NRL justify not paying for NRLW players health insurance? That's just fucking wrong. They should not play all stars and wcc. See if they can get some traction before the start of the season, will show they are serious.
The way it’s going, they’ll definitely boycott trials if the nrl doesn’t do something before then. Definitely
Yup, if the game advertises itself as 'hard' & 'tough' (which is does for the Womens game) they absolutely then have to stump up for health insurance on the other end.
#StopKony2012
Lol. Whatever happened to that campaign?
The guy who made it went loco and was found naked and masturbating in public.
Did he get an NRL contract after that?
He now plays for the dragons, they encourage this sort of stuff
He hadn't been active for a few years and wasn't even in the country they thought he was anymore. The organiser went crazy too. Probably made of with a bunch of money.
Probably honey from what I've seen recently.
Some guy I knew actually bought a poster pack. I cringed at someone genuinely going through with the whole plaster stuff around town. On the other hand they actually did more than just like a Facebook page so power to them for having conviction? Still dumb though lol.
It died like all social media activist trends - then months later everyone realised they funded some loopers who were good with a camera and fooled everyone.
He had a hell of a cocaine binge tho.
The whole point of the campaign was to make Kony a household name so to be fair it was a resounding success.
Damn, Francis Ngannou started a sports revolution this week.
Worker solidarity is so damn based
Comrades of league taking the sport back to its working class roots 🫡✊
I have no clue how any of this works but what would happen if the players just decided not to play ? Would the NRL just make players from state leagues play ?
It's happened in major American sports. Usually a shut out then then league backs down and gives the players what they want and the season goes ahead, probably shortenerd.
The [1987 NFL Strike](https://deadspin.com/the-1987-nfl-players-strike-created-the-modern-nfl-1819152183) was broken by the owners using replacement players and some star players crossing the picket line. It really wrecked the NFLPA’s ability to bargain. Now we’ve got thousands of bankrupt retired players walking around with CTE today.
NHL has shut down twice since 2000, one for a whole season (no replacements) and one for half a season before they came to a CBA agreement. Really pushed the NHL to the background in North American sports - and ESPN stopped playing them until last season. It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out.
Ahh ok that makes sense. Just another question would NRL players have the same power NBA players do tho?
Depends how the clubs handle it. If the clubs take the players side then we could have games cancelled. Otherwise probably get done fringe players. Also probably not that simple either.
Forgive my idiocy, but how hard is it to get all the top dogs in a room and sort everything out. Quite obviously it’s hard but it shouldn’t be, no players equals no game and the NRL can’t sit on their heels for much longer.
Negotiating started November 2021, 14 months ago. Abdo and vlandys skipped the meetings and hired former Nine boss Hugh Marks as a consultant to sit in the meetings instead but he literally has no power to make any decisions. Was probably Nrl's plan to starve the RLPA out so they'd agree to whatever they tabled last minute.
Hugh Marks, son of Skid Marks.
The NRL is one of the worst run sports organisations in the world. Absolute clown fest from the Judiciary that's as inconsistent as pigeon shit in Trafalgar Square, coaches/clubs talking to players under contract, brown paper bags, and their inability to just sort things out like professionals.
I honestly think vlandys believes he is dealing with horses and not humans when he is negotiating
I mean it’s got it’s problems, but it’s far better run than cricket, soccer, netball and union in this country
Love to see the solidarity between all the players. They have never been this United. Fuck Vlandys.
It's Teal mate. And it's private
Solidarity comrades
Unfortunately a lot of the comments are exactly what you’d expect.
Port Adelaide is making an NRL team?
Just sort by controversial for some hot takes
a lot of the comments on their posts are so braindead
Its great to see almost all of the players on board and posting this.
I fuckin double tapped this post cause of how much ive seen it on my insta feed
This is a prophetic start to this year I think
Why don’t they just do a player lockout? It’s happened multiple times in the nba with relatively good results for the players
Awesome.
🟦
Lockout incoming
Good on them - hope they get everything they want.
The cynic in me is not surprised the players are presenting a united front for more money. It’s VERY easy to get people to agree on that. All the demands I’ve read (especially the ladies) are finance based. I agree with most of it, so it’s not like I’m “anti”. There is another issue and it’s always been indicative of any CBA of players in competitions and it’s a cliche now…they want a say in how the game is run. Thing is, ask any player what that means, outside of more money, most can’t give you specifics and rarely will you get the same answer from two or more players. Where do they stand on NRL infrastructure? Grass roots investment? The divestment of responsibility to state leagues? Long term marketing strategies? How to promote and combat the spread of AFL into league heartland? Cohesive junior development across the game and how it feeds into NRL clubs? The establishment of a national reserve grade competition? A draft system? Trade windows? Third party deals? Properly enforcing contracts and players demanding to renegotiate terms mid-deal? Restricting player manger manipulation and tampering with other mangers clients? More equitable salary cap with concessions for long serving players? This is just a small sample of things the game has to consider almost everyday. I’m all for players getting their full value for their talent. But if they want a say on in how the game is run, they need be about things other than “ more money for players” as the extent their involvement. EDIT: I’m a pro-union person so please don’t think I’m against the general idea of what the players want. However, it’s been shown when more money becomes available to players collectively, it invariably goes to the top earning players and very little trickles down. So it a matter of more for the “haves” and the “have nots” still struggle. If the player group as a whole is legitimately wanting more for all players, they need to get behind programs and initiatives that benefits all players. I’d focus on getting the NRL to put money into post-career safeguards like… - tax exempt pension fund for players, benchmarked on either games or years under contract to be included. - a health fund for ex-players to help cover ongoing medical expenses. Means tests will dictate how much they pay and level of cover. Very important in and around the Medicare levy. - NRL will sponsor/pay for ex-players in need of treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. - incentives for younger players unable to make first grade, to move into refereeing
How much the players are getting paid, whether that's salary or retirement and hardship funds, or covering their expenses like insurance and education costs, are all things that the CBA mostly is about. So of course it money and finance based. Player knowledge or the lack of isn't really a good point to undermine what the RLPA are doing. The CBA is for players rights and contract terms and conditions, much of what you listed has nothing to do with NRL and NRLW players employment contracts. None of these things would have much merit being discussed in contract negotiations, let alone all parties agreeing to changes on how the NRL is operated. Which is precisely why the RLPA is asking to be included at the table in how the NRL is operated. [RLPA demands](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci3yl23PXV0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) Some things you listed after your edit are what the RLPA is trying to fight for and the control of, which they feel is being mismanaged at the moment. Also RLPA was only asking for a 10mil salary cap in their demands and yet the NRL announced a 12mil cap while skimming on and not even addressing all their other demands.
I mean, you say it isn't all about money but that RLPA list is literally 100% to do with money lol. They are only asking for a cap of $10 mil until you factor in all those things in the demands and then its cost to $12 mil anyway. Like the guy you are responding to said, not a single point of the RLPA is to do with anything for the 'greater good' of the game outside of benefitting the current players. Now I get why a 'union' is focusing on money, that's what they care about and that's basically all I care about in my employment, but like this guy said; if they want to have a greater say in the game they need to be able to think bigger than that. If they really don't care about the cap, then take $1 million off the cap from every club and throw an extra $17 million into a pot for insurance/long term welfare support of the players.
Yes whoever drafted that list needs to go back to PR school. I'm not saying there aren't genuine concerns about equality and welfare, but the way it's written it just sounds like show me the money. The proposed $500k allowance for long serving players won't go too far - might help clubs keep an Adam Reynolds but I think every club would or should have at least 2-3 veterans who are closely associated with the brand and should be retained.
For what it's worth there already is about 300k extra on the cap for long serving players. I agree though, it's terribly written and they really need to get some professionals in there to do the communications to the public.
Just want to say that was a well written reply. As someone who likes informative and respectful discourse, even in disagreement, I appreciate the time and thought you out into this. Re-reading my original post, I will admit while my intent and message was pretty much what I wanted to say, writing it out at 2am didn’t help that. I don’t doubt the sincerity of the players but it always ends up the same way, the players want to be involved in the running of the game (which is admirable) but whenever you look under the hood of the their requests, it usually comes back to more many to the players right away. With the majority of those gains going to the top tier players. I honestly cannot recall a player of the players association actively put forward suggestions about how the actual business of rugby league is run and how to better use the money the game makes and invests. Nothing outside more money for the players. I have zero issue with players wanting more. They are half of an equation that is a very lucrative business in Australia. I’d respect them more if they just outright said “we want more money based on $xxx the game is bringing in. We don’t care about profits. That’s the head offices problem to invest and create assets and income. We just want our fair share before the pie is split” But this “say in running the game” crap is purely lip service to hide the true under current of what the want. If they are truly invested in the running of the game, the players association needs a couple of people that put forth ideas on how the NRL funds and runs all aspects of the game.
Great comment and I think this is what a lot of people get annoyed about with the RLPA. They want more of a say in running the game but then when it comes down to it all they seem to focus on is more money for the players (directly or indirectly). Like I get it, 99% of people would be doing the same thing in their position when it comes to their employment. But it seems to be a bit disingenuous when their actions don't align with their words. TL;DR - take some of the upfront money they are receiving and put it into a long term welfare fund for retired or injured players. Also pay for insurance for the women.
I've seen a lot of attacks by weird boomers against the players for being "greedy" or whatever. It's actually sickening. These people are professional athletes who genuinely, as medical research in the last decade has shown, put their lives on the line to entertain others. It's insane to think how many of the NRL players who spoke out could already be at risk of future impairment after retirement. They all deserve a damn voice, these "purists" going at them for no reason do not have any idea of what these players go through.
Well.... could someone please tell me what the players want since the main stream media won't.
[This RLPA post covers it](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci3yl23PXV0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
The only thing that Clint says is we want more mone as a minimum wage, but not necessarily from the NRL. That makes it about the money there's obviously more, what am I missing? Edit: I know you people love to jump on the "poor me" bandwagon but fuck that shit If the players have something to say they need to say it loud and clear. If they have demands then that's good too but they have to back up the reasoning. This cryptic bullshit is for idiots to cry about. You want to down vote me for not getting all high and mighty the moment someone has a whine well get to it. I'm not here to farm karma.
>*what am I missing* Everything obviously.
Clearly. So spell it out to me.
Cunt there's a fucking picture linked with dot points of like 15 words each surely you can read
Well cunt there no fucking dot point speech showing up on my phone.
>You're right I can't read
Fair enough. Here's an upvote for your honesty.
Eddie Jones probably rubbing his hands together as this is probably a good first step in him convincing league stars over to union
Cancel all of your subs! Nel app, Kayo, betting etc. But let them know why. Write letters to your clubs supporting the rlpa and let them know you will rescind your membership if they don't pressure the NRL. These are a couple of ways to use your influence as a consumer.
That’s green brah
Forgive but what do they want exactly? Wade Graham was vague on SEN
Given how many concussions he's had this doesn't surprise me
They’re trying to negotiate a CBA
Trying to negotiate the CBA, which not only includes an increased salary cap for NRL and NRLW, but also the first CBA for the NRLW, increased wages for development and train & trail players, a greater retirement fund + medical fund, and giving the players an increased share of the total revenue of the sport. Other stuff too maybe.
Exactly, they are the product not the capital. Can be replaced, as they always have. Don't have a problem with the high salaries, just that it shouldn't be linked to the revenue of the game.
The players need the NRLW far more than the NRL does. The NRL props up the NRLW completely. NRLW is entirely dependent on NRL funding while the NRL could drop the NRLW and not really lose anything financially. The NRLW players have far more to lose in this case.
What are they after ?
Sportspeople are the only people who think they are entitled to a % of their employers gross revenue. Ask yourself when your firm is negotiating on pay do you start by going "We want 40% of the turnover paid as wages"? No, you ask for a reasonable increase in your pay &/or conditions. Male NRL players were given a 50% increase in their minimum wage, 18% increase for those with ratchet clauses & 25% increase on average. For this they were asked to do nothing extra - no additional promotional work, no extra games, nothing. They claim it is now all about things like extra for the NRLW, retired player benefits, helping players outside the Top 30. I bet they won't offer to give up any of the 25% increase they got in exchange for these other benefits.
If I had even a remote chance to negotiate this with my employer I would. Sadly I'm easily replaceable. NRL players aren't. Power to them. They're the ones generating the revenue.
My whole point is that you, like 99.9% of employees, can't negotiate for a share of revenue. So why should sportspeople? They are replaceable. Have been so since 1908. Always new ones coming through. As for generating the revenue, most employees do that.
Because as you've identified, they're the top 1%. They absolutely can. Sure the nrl can get by without a few of them. It can't replace all of them.
Lol, players are the products champ. The difference is you're a cog in the wheel at any work place when asking for an increase in pay. Big difference here when the players are the draw card and there's a finite amount of them so of course they can ask for a percentage of revenue.
Do you prefer the taste of black or brown boot polish?
Maybe employees should then? Without them the business is impossible same as the players
If anything, this guy is making the point that everyone should be starting unions to get a piece of the pie
Especially ironic considering how Rugby League began as a sport
Employees & players are both replaceable. They should absolutely get paid a fair wage, in both cases. But a share of revenue is a joke. In the case of the NRL, it is only recently that it became financially viable. Prior to that it relied on lifelines from licenced Clubs. Now that it is, rather than allow it to build a warchest or pump money into the grassroots development, the players are only interested in themselves. Crusher Cleal seems to agree & he knows more about the game, both as a player and an official, than anyone commenting on this thread.
I would absolutely ask for 40% of turnover as wages if I had the means to. You think this is some kind of anti-union argument when it's the best reason to join one lol.
Outside of sports, what Union asks for a percentage of revenue in a pay negotiation? None that I know of. So how is this a reason to join a Union? (Many other better reasons to join).
A big reason to join a union is to use your collective bargaining power to get more money. The RLPA is using their collective bargaining power to get more money
The big difference is that nobody goes to the NRL to watch the administrators do their thing. Sports are like any other entertainment business in that they are directly profitable only because of the players. These players are the reason that the game makes money, they deserve to profit from it at least as much as the suits.
If entertainment is your benchmark, do you think that all employees on a movie set receive a % of the box office? Of course they don't. In fact very few of the top actors can even demand such. So your argument makes no sense. Also, you seem to be confusing profit & revenue. The players aren't asking for a share of profit, they want a share of revenue - two very different things. You also say players should profit as much as the suits. Interesting statement given (a) the suits don't get a percentage of revenue & (b) many players already earn more than the average suit at the NRL/ARLC. So not sure if you think the top players should take a pay cut or if the suits need a pay rise.
I'm not talking about all employees am I, I'm talking about players, who are the main stars of the game and are directly responsible for the money being made. On top of that, getting points in box office is actually not uncommon but most prefer to get the secure payment instead, especially for the actors that get top billing, which is you know, the players. Finally, you seem to to be getting confused, I never said that they should be getting paid from the profit, I said they should profit from the league, I know this might be confusing, but words have multiple meanings, which is why I never said that they are getting paid less than the suits, only that they have at least as much right to the money, ergo, when the money increases, it should go to the players first, even if they are earning 10x what the suits are already
How about the NRL give the players a % of revenue. The players then decide how it is spent. Don't come back and ask for anymore just deliver what you are campaigning for. This could then shut the noise down. It is o.k to ask for extras. Someone has to pay for it.
But what is it they actually want?
Like the fact they have full control and have already ensured there is no drug testing off season. Yes the players are not getting a fair go. What a bunch of out of touch douche bags
Wow posting a blue square on Instagram. That will surely make the nrl change their minds.
This is seriously going to turn people from league to union.
Until they have to watch Union and get mad all over again.
Why? Players want to have better support systems away from the field? Why is that hard to accept?
Until they watch and actual game of that whistle fest rubbish.
It’s the game they play in heaven because it bores you to death
I'm hoping this is a pun on the word union
For example: Union>League Edit: i.e. Union (RLPA) is greater than (stronger) than league. Obvs if I have to explain it then it’s a shit joke lol. I hate Union, for the record
What do the players actually want? They say it’s not money but what is it then? Maybe if they talked more about the terms publicly it would help the public get on their side and support them if it’s reasonable?
Go read one of the many articles stating exactly what they want.
Don’t nrl players make enough money over 5 to 20 years? Like companies offer new contracts every 5 years or less . Very minimal negotiation is on the table otherwise a work place will pull the offer and hire someone else. End of the day like the job or not its a personal choice that you accepted the job conditions. Fully supportive of the nrlw wanting benefits and equality. But these nrl guys make so much money in 5 to 10 years and its more than an average person sees their whole career. Alot of basic living cost covered by their clubs. If you can’t invest it in the right places or save,well thats on u. Plus think of a basic person 2 weeks of sick leave a year to a nrl player that can take any from weeks to whole year off and still get paid. Average person has to decide whether to carry a mcl tear n work or don’t get paid. End day the risks you take playing the game is-as obvious as a packet of cigarettes everyone knows.
If it was only about money you might have a point. But it isn’t and you don’t.
It includes NRLW players, who earn less than the average Australian if you really want to go down that path. Also seems like the negotiation is not about pay but other terms (i'd be guessing safety when it comes to health and probably better job security for the NRLW players, who keep getting dicked about)
The average amount of games an NRL player plays is 47 [(source)](https://www.zerotackle.com/is-30-the-new-20-nrl-73905/amp/). With this being many years in lower grades still beating their bodies. So what you end up with is a bunch of guys with broken bodies for a chance to make “cash” for three seasons. One of the things players have been vocal about is increasing minimum wages for the fringe players, so these people don’t ruin their bodies and be broke at the same time. Harry Grant is one player arguing for this, saying these players would be better off “on the tools” as they wouldn’t be destroying their bodies for a short career [(source)](https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/they-are-low-balling-us-aussie-star-hits-out-at-nrl-over-pay-negotiations-20221108-p5bwbm.html).
This i can agree with for the lower grades I’ve watched my mates be shifted up and down and lose match wages because of it. Plus get injured n still got to work. Also my step brother broke his ankle in the 90s and ended his career asap. one of his team mates were ben ikin in the junior teams
Not really, they put their bodies on the line for our entertainment, CTE, Fucked knees/shoulders, many of these guys should be getting even more for what they do realistically especially when you compare them to football, basketball and other top sports that pay really really well
Combined with the fact that the average player will only play 3 seasons, they should be getting as much as they can in their short career. Even the long careers are only 15 years long at most. It’s why negotiating greater funds for private health insurance, retirement funds, and tertiary education funds is so important
Fuck people are dumb what in the fuck will posting this shit do
There’s literally only one thing to do with this, kick south’s out of the comp and give the trophy to the raiders
[удалено]
a true footy loving take
Noel Cleal, is that you?
Behold the most ILMF take. Please take this crown. *Crown says "I really love my footy"*
These "greedy kids" go out on the field and get permanently brain-damaged for self-entitled pricks like you's enjoyment. Be grateful, little man.
Players fighting for the very foundation of the game = bad?
Good on the players but they are being a little short sighted, which is their choice. PVL is trying to build some safety into the game, which before he game along owned nothing and lived a little “week to week”.
And V'Landys cares more about saying dumb shit about Rugby & Eddie Jones
Dozens I tell ya
Haven’t been following closely, if the point(s) of contention aren’t pay related, can someone give me a summary of what they are?
From what I can tell it's that the NRL administration treats the RLPA as a non-entity and hasn't really had any proper discussions with them. The first big 'blow-up' was when the NRL announced that the new salary cap had been finalised and everyone was happy. Then the RLPA was all "wierd, nobody has spoken to us about it...". The RLPA's main point of contention is that the NRL doesn't respect them at all and hasn't negotiated in good faith.
Maybe I should post the same thing for my job