Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,050
- 25,569
Just to make myself clear, my issue isn't about Cronulla signing players. It's the type of players they're signing, how the code supports this type of signing and how it does nothing to grow the brand of Rugby League.
What I didn't like about Cronulla is that they were a side of nomads. It wasn't like they built the side around players they had carefully brought through the grades, they just preyed on other club's future proofing their roster so they could bring in the likes of Ennis, Maloney & Barba who were all key in the premiership victory.
There's nothing marketable about these players. The mass public have already seen enough of them, they've made their minds up and you can't throw them into the same sentence as stars of the sport.
Yet the NRL wants you to sign these players. Why bother going through the hassle of developing a hooker when you can sign Robbie Farah for dirt cheap? Why would you ever bother 'blooding' halves when you can just sign Luke Keary on the cheap after a fall-out with the coach?
I mean take a look at the poor Wests Tigers. They've really had nothing to cheer about these past few years and whatever light they had at the end of the tunnel is going to be taken away as clubs throw all their weight behind securing a Tedesco, Moses or Brooks. By rights, the Tigers patience should be rewarded, they should be able to sign these players up and advertise to the mass public that hey if you want to see these players, come buy a membership and come out to the games. Who are they supposed to advertise next year? Nofoaluma? Lawrence? Woods?
The NRL fell in love with Moneyball, and instead of doing everything they can to ensure they stay relevant as an entertainment property they continue to lag further and further behind.
What I didn't like about Cronulla is that they were a side of nomads. It wasn't like they built the side around players they had carefully brought through the grades, they just preyed on other club's future proofing their roster so they could bring in the likes of Ennis, Maloney & Barba who were all key in the premiership victory.
There's nothing marketable about these players. The mass public have already seen enough of them, they've made their minds up and you can't throw them into the same sentence as stars of the sport.
Yet the NRL wants you to sign these players. Why bother going through the hassle of developing a hooker when you can sign Robbie Farah for dirt cheap? Why would you ever bother 'blooding' halves when you can just sign Luke Keary on the cheap after a fall-out with the coach?
I mean take a look at the poor Wests Tigers. They've really had nothing to cheer about these past few years and whatever light they had at the end of the tunnel is going to be taken away as clubs throw all their weight behind securing a Tedesco, Moses or Brooks. By rights, the Tigers patience should be rewarded, they should be able to sign these players up and advertise to the mass public that hey if you want to see these players, come buy a membership and come out to the games. Who are they supposed to advertise next year? Nofoaluma? Lawrence? Woods?
The NRL fell in love with Moneyball, and instead of doing everything they can to ensure they stay relevant as an entertainment property they continue to lag further and further behind.
