NRL can only survive if everyone works together to avoid catastrophe, says Gorden Tallis

As the NRL fights for its very existence, we are hearing that some clubs don’t want to support those more in need. But if the game is to get through this, egos must be put to one side, writes GORDEN TALLIS.

An empty Suncorp Stadium during the Round 2 NRL game between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Pics Adam Head

• ‘Bloody hard work’: NRL stars return to workforce
• $100m emergency fund to bail out struggling NRL clubs

The NRL needs to ensure the survival of its current 16 clubs and for that to happen we need to put egos aside in this battle.

Like many businesses throughout Australia, NRL clubs are going through a torrid fight for survival.

Many have already stood down their entire football and administration departments, some without pay, and they may not return to work for more than six months.

The NRL has for long operated on an equal funding model where every club receives the same amount of money from the game.

That simply cannot be the case at the moment. It’s a fact that some will need more help than others to stay afloat.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

The Broncos and Rabbitohs playing at n empty Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Adam Head

We have already heard that the clubs are divided in how the NRL should provide rescue packages.

Some of the big and powerful clubs don’t want to help the little clubs but that’s not the way it should be. They are all in this together.

The reason you’ve got a nice street is because of your neighbours.

It’s insensitive in these times to have everyone only interested in themselves and our game should be above that.

We only have to look outside the rugby league bubble to see how tough Australia is doing it at the moment.

We saw the lines at Centrelink the day after mass restrictions of trade were announced and unemployment could jump to 30 per cent in the coming months.

If you are a team bankrolled by a number of revenue streams, how can they jump in the Centrelink line and demand the same money as others?

The game’s leaders have a huge mess to navigate. Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

I don’t understand why the clubs are being so greedy. There are clubs better placed to weather this storm that want the same as others already on their knees.

We have to make sure everybody survives.

The challenge for NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys is to look at every club and assess how they can get through this.

The funding needs to be means-tested.

The clubs in a better position than others, and with more fat to trim from their operations, shouldn’t receive the same level of help.

Everyone should leave a loaf of bread or packet of toilet paper for someone else.

We should make decisions that ensure everyone will be all right because if you worry about yourself then we won’t have a competition.

MORE NEWS

Alex de Minaur reveals what lockdown in Spain is like and warns Aussies to adhere to social distancing warnings

Coronavirus A-League: Newcastle Jets player tests positive; entire Perth Glory squad stood down

This is what the game deserves. Photo: Matt Taylor.

Like everyone else, I’m uncertain where the game will go. It is a worrying time for rugby league.

But this crisis will deliver some great lessons. We are all learning so much at the moment.

In the space of a week I realised just how important fans are to our game.

In Round 1, we saw a huge crowd attend the Cowboys’ first game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

A week later, Suncorp Stadium was empty as the Broncos and Rabbitohs played each other in a game that would usually attract 40,000.

The fans are what make sport so great and that’s something we must never forget.

If you ask an NRL player now they will admit they took the game for granted. We all did.

It’s a lesson for everybody and I hope the game can come back bigger and stronger so we can be grateful for what we have.

For that to happen we have to put egos aside and make sure the NRL survives this test.