Time to address NRL's disrespect for loyalty

LOYALTY in rugby league is well and truly dead and has been for a while.

Anthony "Bomber'' Breeze. Picture: Inga Williams

BOMBER'S BLAST

LOYALTY in rugby league is well and truly dead and has been for a while.

The world we live in these days encourages players to chase the dollar and turn their back on a club that has nurtured them along the way.

While the rugby league life-span for players is not a long one you could argue that they have to set themselves up for life after their footballing days are gone. This is very true but the deals and conversations being had these days are only ruining the way fans are looking at our great game.

Players sign four-year deals then 12 months later want to leave. Why? Because generally money is involved, but if you listen to their press conference it's not the money.

Sorry but on most occasions I can't cop this. Just come out and say "I am setting my family up for life after football''. Most fans will be disappointed that you are leaving but will understand to a degree.

Let me pose these questions to you: Is the Bennett/Siebold drama helping the Broncos or Souths? Is Klemmer's exit making Bulldogs fans happy? Or is New Zealand superstar Shaun Johnson's exit from the Warriors good for our game?

I am pretty safe in saying that the answer would be a big "no''.

Let's fix this mess.

How can it be done? I don't have all the answers but I am sure someone at NRL Central is getting paid well to work out something that cleans this up, sooner rather than later.

Steph up with best

AUSTRALIAN surfing is rich in champions who have done our country proud. Names like Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll, Barton Lynch, Damien Hardman, Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson in the men's; and Layne Beachley, Wendy Botha and Pauline Menzcer in women's competition.

Stephanie Gilmore can be added as one of the greats after winning her seventh world title. She is a champion on the board, now equalling Australia's greatest female rider in Layne Beachley.

Gilmore's career isn't over so more titles could be in store.

Quick thoughts

HERO of the week 1: Dylan Wenzel-Halls took the next step in his career by making his A-League debut last week for the Brisbane Roar. He will be scoring goals before too long.

Hero of the week 2: Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore for her fantastic effort in winning her seventh world title.

Villain of the week 1: We know the Wallabies can't get it together on the field, but now we find out that Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper were both stood down for breaking team protocol. It's not hard to follow the rules.

Did you know? Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has scored the most runs for a person batting at No 11 in Test matches. He scored 623 runs at 11.33.

Bomber's best: I tipped the Roar to win their first game of the year and they saluted with a 2-0 victory.

This week I am staying with the A League where I see Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory both winning.

Originally published as Time to address NRL's disrespect for loyalty