Time to celebrate footy’s heroes not halfwits, writes Phil Rothfield

The most shameful chapter of player scandal in rugby league history has finally been closed. Bring back the footy and let the games begin, writes Phil Rothfield.

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The most shameful chapter of player scandal in rugby league history has all but closed.

No more Jack de Belin, Dylan Walker, Scott Bolton, Dylan Napa, salary cap rorts, Mad Mondays or Shane Flanagan.

Bring back the footy and let the games begin.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg on Friday sent an email to the 16 clubs with an appeal to start talking the game up on the eve of the premiership.

Buzz Rothfield wants to turn the focus to the heroes of the NRL. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

To help put heroes instead of halfwits on the back page.

But just hours after Greenberg’s email was sent the NRL integrity unit was on Friday night investigating another sex tape allegedly involving a Penrith player.
“It’s time to get fans excited about the 2019 season,” Greenberg wrote, “I need the help of every club to turn the discussion about the game into a positive as we approach season launch.

“I am sure you agree that we have a lot of ground to make up to get the season off to a good start.”

The NRL’s off-season has been a constant flow of drama. (AAP Image/Jeremy Piper)

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The latest incident shows there is still a hard road ahead when it comes to bad player behaviour but at least the footy is back with seven trial matches on Saturday, highlighted by the traditional Dragons-Rabbitohs Charity Shield game in Mudgee.

Suddenly the Sharks boom new signing Shaun Johnson playing opposite Kalyn Ponga in Maitland becomes the must-read story rather than the salary cap.

Or Sam Burgess lining up against Tariq Sims in Mudgee is the taking point rather than de Belin. Bring it on.

Greenberg is determined to win back the support of disgruntled fans in the countdown to the kick-off.

“I would appreciate anything you can do to promote the football now that we have dealt with the off-field issues,” he said in his email to the clubs.

“I have spoken to several media outlets today and promised we will do all we can to help them promote the football from next week.

“That means making players and coaches available – above and beyond the usual requirements – so that journalists have plenty of good news to write about.”