NRL pay war: Why rugby league fans are the biggest losers in stubborn RLPA power play

The emotion of post-game Origin interviews. Gone. Reece Walsh’s instant reaction to State of Origin II just moments after he has been sent off. No more.

As always, the fans are the big losers in the players’ decision to stage a blackout.

The emotion of post-game Origin interviews. Gone. Reece Walsh’s instant reaction to Origin II just moments after he has been sent from the field. No more.

The rawness of Ben Hunt failing to re-commit to the Dragons just minutes after taking to the field for the club – taken away from fans who desperately wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

How uncomfortable would this situation make the game’s nicest man in Manly’s Jake Trbojevic, whose politeness and smile after winning games can light up any room.

There is no greater piece of advertisement for the game than a Trbojevic interview.

The on-field tears Paul Gallen shed while talking about breaking Cronulla’s premiership drought.

The emotion of the Warriors’ Shaun Johnson earlier this year after he slotted a match-winning penalty goal at his old home ground at Cronulla.

NRL captains ahead of last year’s finals. Picture: NRL Photos

Or Latrell Mitchell fighting back tears as the Souths’ faithful roared in support when he spoke on the field after last year’s finals win over the Roosters.

You could go as far back as the rawness of Chris Heighington’s expletive ridden, now iconic post-2005 grand final chat with Matty Johns – you won’t be able to hear that.

All those moments will be a thing of the past.

And all this against the fans who stump up their hard-earned cash.

The rugby league faithful who are battling cost of living concerns but still find a way in their budget to pay for subscription television and get their newspaper fix.

Why should they bother? Why should the broadcasters who essentially fill the coffers of players bother tipping in what they do to keep the game afloat.

The fans have been collateral damage in the ongoing war between the RLPA and the NRL which has now gone on too long. It is embarrassing for both parties that it has come to this.

CEO of the RLPA Clint Newton. Picture: AAP

The broadcasters should withhold a portion of their agreement by whatever these interviews are thought to be valued.

The players should be hit in the hip pocket for whatever commitments they do not fulfil.

There are certain obligations the players must undertake as part of being a first grade player.

Those include fronting up and speaking to fans directly about topical matters.

It’s also counterproductive given this stance denies the players the chance to put their case across in the media when they have the full attention of fans.

The rawness of on-field interviews can’t be mimicked by controlled chats post game. The players are at war and entitled to be frustrated with the NRL. But their execution of their angst could prove costly to the people who matter most ... the fans.