NRL can be the envy of the AFL, too 
Tackle 1: The NRL must protect Western Sydney
Phil Gould is right to be concerned about the AFL’s entry into Western Sydney. The current Panthers boss is one of the few in the game who understand the southern code’s scorched-earth mentality, its deep pockets and its long-term planning capabilities, three things totally foreign to the NRL and rugby league administrators. In his column with the Sun Herald, Gould pointed out the inroads the AFL is already making out west and how rugby league, in its current state, is not equipped to fight back. Gould talks of AFL posts being erected, of the game now being played in schools, of paraphernalia and the like being given to kids. He also talks of how the petty small-world politics of rugby league has allowed many important issues to fall through the gaps and how if the independent commission isn’t set up soon and a proper strategy not developed, the AFL will gain a foothold in the league heartland. The AFL won’t stop until it kills off rugby league. Rugby league is a resilient beast and, like a cockroach, can survive a nuclear bomb. But it can be significantly hurt unless it starts looking after Western Sydney immediately. More needs to be done to kill off the threat now while the AFL remains on loose ground.
Tackle 2: The Raiders need more than a review
Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner announced last week that his club will commission an independent review into the failed 2011 season that will be conducted by a figure from outside the club. In previous years the review has been conducted by former coaches such as Warren Ryan and Michael Hagan. The review is set to cover the roster, coaching staff and set-up and internal systems. It is quite apparent these reviews have done little for the Raiders in the past as nothing actually changes at the club. It is a club stifled by inertia. It is all very simple as to where the problems begin and that is with coach David Furner, who has a history of bad starts, tactical ineptitude and poor man management. Unfortunately for the Raiders, his family is royalty in Canberra and his brother is the CEO and he seems like the safest coach in the game. It is quite apparent that attitude is a major issue at the club, something that stems from the coach. Attitude is best seen in defence and the likes of Bronson Harrison, Jarrod Croker and Sam Williams don’t even attempt to tackle. Rated as premiership hopefuls, the Raiders have managed only six wins (though two have come against the two premiership favourites) and have lost six matches by 18-plus points. The club has excuses -Terry Campese’s injury, Matt Orford’s failure to come up, Josh Dugan’s health woes - but to use any of these would be to brush over the main problem: a poor coach, who survives (in the opinion of this observer) purely out of nepotism.
Tackle 3: Parity a plus
On a weekend when the AFL had six favourites start at $1.11 or shorter (including two at $1.01) and five margins of 40-plus (including two 100-plus thrashings), the NRL should be recognised for running the most even national sporting competition in Australia and arguably the world. Parity reigns supreme in the NRL with nine different premiers since 2001 (and only the Storm winning twice), every team playing in the finals since 2007 and no wooden spooner winning fewer than four games over the last five seasons. In contrast, the AFL have had seven different premiers, have not had Richmond play a final since 2001, have three teams who have won three or fewer games this year, have had eight teams finish with four wins or fewer since 2006 and have not had a wooden spooner win five games in the last decade due to a culture of tanking. Parity is a major strength of the NRL and it must be vigorous in maintaining it.
Tackle 4: A legend of the game honoured
Ray Warren has been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league, the voice of the game for well over three decades and a true gentleman of the code. So it was with a great deal of joy for the rugby league community that Warren was honoured in his native Junee with a statue and a rousing carnival that no doubt humbled the champion caller. There have been those that have knocked the statue, those that have mocked the idea, but they should be ashamed for disrespecting such a true icon of the game. When the great history of the game is written, Ray Warren will sit with Frank Hyde as Australia’s most influential and most beloved rugby league men to ever sit behind the microphone.
Tackle 5: ‘Magic ball’ worth a shot
Rugby league is a sport that has never been afraid of innovation. While its politics is old and inward thinking and its administration convoluted and driven by self-interest, rugby league is a game in constant evolution, always prepared to try new rules and embrace new technology. It is a game born out of revolution and as such it clutches invention close. When St George dominated in the 1960s, limited tackle football was introduced. When Canterbury started bombing in-goal and tackling the fullback, the in-goal mark was brought in. Rugby league was one of the first sports in the world to take on video refereeing. Rugby league is a game always looking to improve and the possibility of a new ball fitted with a GPS device that detects forward passes is something well worth trying and something the game will take to its heart if it proves a winner.
Tackle 6: Shaun Johnson’s magical try
New Zealand halfback Shaun Johnson, touted from a young age and already a Kiwi representative at both touch football and Australian rules football, was once touted as the “new Benji Marshall” by Phil Gould. He lived up to that billing on Saturday night with the most spectacular individual try of the season. Caught flat-footed as his Warriors teammates offloaded indiscriminately 25 metres out from their own line, Johnson picked the ball off the turf and exploded off the mark, stepping past Sam Thaiday and through prop tandem Ben Hannant and Scott Anderson, beating an ankle tap attempt from Andrew McCullough, running right around highly regarded and speedy fullback Josh Hoffman and then completely bamboozling wing combination Jharal Yow Yeh and Gerard Beale before diving over. It had to be seen to be believed. Johnson is a sublime talent who will become the face of New Zealand rugby league sooner rather than later.
Source: backpagelead.com.au
Topic: NRL can be the envy of the AFL, too
