Money

[Scumbag]

Yes, I have said the scary M-word. In today's economic and as a result, money-driven sporting climate, has the consequences of the mighty dollar gone too far in Rugby League? I believe it has.

The days where a club's first grade side was comprised typically of individuals who played the game because it had been their life-long passion and aim to get into the highest Rugby League competition in Australia because of the love of the sport are gone.

Remember the days when a collective group of players remained loyal to a football club long enough so that they could forge a team that they all enjoyed playing in? These player's love for the game and desire to play in successful, premiership winning sides was enough of a motivation to stay in the game and be reasonably happy within their respective clubs. Just as each player would have done as a junior. Playing for the team, all focused on a common goal of progressing up the ladder to claim the major prize.

Cast your mind back to all the amazing Brisbane premiership winning teams before the turn of the millenium. All these teams were successful because of the team continuity, collaberation and familiarity with each other.

In today's economic climate we see Rugby League being directly affected. Clubs are unable to keep the same team on the paddock for a sizeable amount of time in order to achieve the above positive aspects of a successful team winning the highest accolaide.

Why? Because of the ridiculous almighty dollar. Today's player is more concerned about which NRL franchise he shall call home in order to fill up his back pocket the heaviest. Don't even get me started on Rugby League players switching codes because of higher financial offers to play elsewhere.

This constant chopping and changing of player roster from season-to-season and even during the course of a season can be readily seen across all NRL franchises. Rugby League has become a farce. All the values a player learnt when growing up in the junior ranks have been sacrificed for financial gain and dealings.

How can a particular team become successful if they can't play multiple years with the same squad with the players remaining loyal to a club for a decent amount of time?

Finally, after watching the Brisbane side for the last few years it has got me thinking. Is it now the common thought as a player to impress with junior and schoolboy football to secure a contract and then once the dotted line has been signed and the money is in the account, lose all desire and interest/hunger to play a sport which you once would have accepted a can of coke as reward for a good game to play?

Is the current player mentality completely unacceptable? Are they so money hungry that they really don't care what type of performance they put in as long as the money is in the bank? Where have the players who used to play for the love of the game, the thrill of success and to fulfill a life-long dream gone? The current crop just seem completely disinterested and instead of hearing about success, we only hear about the excessive value of player contracts, fighting to sign players and players seeking out ludacrous value contracts.

I feel the game I have always loved is being absolutely destroyed by the almighty dollar. Both in terms of spectator enjoyment and player performance, attitude and team function and continuing continuity.

Long winded, but I have had enough, hence my enjoying of the Queensland Cup competition more due to it's no nonsense, play for the team, let the ball do the talking approach. Does anyone agree?

I have a feeling that such a defeat which took place in tonight's Canberra game wouldn't have occured 10 years ago due to the lesser impact of the dollar and slightly lesser player greed.

 

[guppy]

What is "excessive" though?

Given the salaries paid to elite players in other sports, I think Rugby League players are severely underpaid.

I don't care what anyone says. Loyalty can only go so far. I know I could earn more working for someone else right now, but I'm happy where I am and with what I am doing so I don't feel the need to jeopardise it by leaving all for a few extra bucks. I'm an extremely loyal person, but if someone came along and offered me double or triple what I earn now I'd most likely take it. That doesn't mean I don't work my arse off and put my heart into what I do. I just like to be rewarded for it.

It's all about market value. Everyone wants to earn as much as possible in their field of work. In fact, most "loyal" people are taken advantage of by their employers. When it comes to discussions around pay-rises/bonuses, those who are valuable to the company/team but are under threat of leaving will always receive more money than the quiet, loyal types.

I don't blame those who chase big money elsewhere, but I respect those that show a certain amount of loyalty more.

People don't, and shouldn't work for "cans of coke" anymore. And it is just that; work.

Why is there such scrutiny on what each player earns? If there wasn't this apparent transparency around salaries and constant discussion around who gets paid what, would we be having this discussion?

I guess I have a very different view than most on what "greed" is.

 

[broncosil]

Yes, loyalty has completely disappeared. But what pisses me off the most is that these players act like complete idiots, don't perform and then have their hand out telling us that they are worth more.

Hunt, for example. Brought the name of the Broncos down and then had the audactiy to whinge when people criticised him. The problem is they don't appreciate how good they have it. I understand wanting more, it is human nature. But how about some of these players go lay some concrete, work at a meatworks, build, or any other form of back breaking work. Or why don't they go become an accountant, lawyer, doctor, teacher, policeman or any other high pressure job and get far less cash for that.

I hate the way they whinge about how hard they have it. To me it is simple. If it is so hard, then quit, and go and become a brickie, where your body ends up caving in on you, you get far less cash, and you do it for 30 years more.

 

[Professor47]

Silence - some of your points are very valid but the world has changed (to put it vaguely) and I don't think the players are at fault at all. (Mostly)

I'm mainly with ya Guppy - a number of loyal people DO get taken advantage of in today's hectic and crazy business world. I see it happen in the work place for sure. (I also agree League players are heavily underpaid but players demand way too much in relation to the salary cap - which needs to stay but needs some major tampering but that is another issue.)

There are soooo many reasons why players leave RL now more than ever but if I had to say one thing I just think it is much, MUCH easier for players to leave the game these days with suits running around everywhere getting deals from all over the world and then some - and then the dough is just another bonus for the player that encourages them to leave...

 

[bent]

broncosil, totally agree, i said that exact same thing about being a brickies labourer, last night watching the game, the fact they get paid to play a sport for a living is so far lost on our roster at the moment its horrendous. Dont get me wrong i believe you should get paid well for being the elite at your field whether it is sport or otherwise, but regardless of what your getting paid, you should be showing the same amount of ticker on the job as the man getting paid peanuts, or your not worth a cent more.

Everyone says live life in the moment, but people dont realise thats just some marketing tripe to get you to spend your money today on whatever their selling you! Life is a journey you should live it like your going to wake up 95 tomorrow and look yourself in the mirror and say im happy with how i did it.

 

[Dessie]

Silence, this is a fantastic piece of writing; very thought-provoking. You raise some very interesting and valid points I believe. icon_thumbs_u