2022 NRL General discussion

[apezza]

Maybe they need to look at a transfer fee system - even if just for local juniors. At least that way clubs that produce more juniors will get something in return

 

[CrazyMatt]

Maybe they need to look at a transfer fee system - even if just for local juniors. At least that way clubs that produce more juniors will get something in return

I agree. I think it would be fairer, players association would see it as a restraint of trade though and taking away some player freedom.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Maybe they need to look at a transfer fee system - even if just for local juniors. At least that way clubs that produce more juniors will get something in return

I thught about that too but I think the whole system is different.

in Euro-football, the players are contracted y the club and if you want to transfer someone within a contract period, then you have to pay a fee to the other club (something that is agreed upon).

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe in NRL the players are contracted by the NRL but their fees are deducted from the club's cap (there is no cap in Europe, although Financial Fair Play introduced some limitations).

That is probably why the players can move around as much as they want here - the club is usually the losing side.

 

[Mr Ryan]

The idea of Salary Cap relief for local juniors has been around for ever.

I remember Dave Gallop saying that all these ideas that people throw up, once you start digging deeper, they just don’t work.

A good example was back in 09-10 when we absolutely sucked. We had one good player - Paul Gallen.

If you gave clubs dispensation for local juniors, a team like the Broncos who were stacked with juniors, basically could have a free hit at a player like Paul Gallen.

 

[Sparkles]

Here's an idea that I've given no time... The NRL takes over all junior development. It's run centrally by the best we can find and clubs sign players to their first grade, top 30 and development squads at a value based on their ability as normal. All teams have equal access to the player pool.

Clubs have no costs and coaches are trained by the central NRL body.

This also helps create a proper second tier competition that would incentive the NRL to monetize it in a way similar to the NFL with college football.

Players would still have a personal preference to play for their local team and with the mates they've played alongside. Maybe the better clubs still get the better juniors, but it might balance out with the sheer volume of juniors in other areas (like outside Melbourne and the eastern suburbs).

This probably improves the overall quality of junior players and coaching staff, which I think is one of the biggest problems to fix.

Have at it!

 

[egg]

Article from Dan - Zero tackle

Culture Shift: Sharks on field success due to off field efforts​

The Sharks have flipped the script in 2022.​

DAN NICHOLS
STAFF WRITER
APRIL 15, 2022 - 2:41PM
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php...ield-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...e-to-off-field-efforts-116208/&via=zerotackle
https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=...ield-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Ronaldo Mulitalo of the Sharks celebrates with his team mates after scoring a try during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium, on April 10, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Very few things in rugby league are certain.
Those include - fans overreacting to every little thing, media outlets putting pressure on referees whether it is warranted or not, and the Sharks will do something stupid.

Without trying to rub it in for fans in the Shire we've literally seen it all from the boys in blue, on and off the field.
Peptides, shadow boxing, jerseys cut up, bubbler photos going viral, e-mails being found years after the fact. Yikes!

Then there was 2021; the year that very quickly became about John Morris and his departure from the club.
The media has a field day. "Players would walk away" they screamed from rooftops. Fairweather fans and outsiders couldn't believe the way the Sharks board supposedly treated a club hero.
Fast forward to Round 5 of the 2022 NRL competition and it's fair to say, at least at is stands, the decisions made look to be positive ones.
For the record, I am a rusted on, life-long Sharks fan. I have the grey hairs as proof. This club has put me through things no one else in my life ever could.
Also for the record, and you can check my socials for confirmation, I was on board the Craig Fitzgibbon bandwagon from the very second his signing was announced.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon arrives at Sydney Roosters headquarters on May 04, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. NRL Players are gathering for team meeting ahead of a return to training in the lead up to the NRL's return to play date of May 28th. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The need for a culture shift within the club was oh so overdue.
With the greatest of respect to John Morris, the only reason he was placed into the top job following Shane Flanagan's sacking was that he was there and he was affordable.
Huge shout out to Morris. He did his absolute best. In 2020 I'd argue he lead the Sharks to a finals finish that could be considered an overachievement.
That said though, it was obvious he was a caretaker or a bridge coach. The club bided their time and in Fitzgibbon, they got their man.
Even before his arrival at the club the feeling completely shifted within the fanbase.
Fitzgibbon delivered a 12 to 15-minute press conference, still dressed in Roosters gear such is the respect of the man, that put every Sharks mind at ease.
He delivered his message with such grace, professionalism and excitement that you'd have to be made of stone not to feel chills.
Since that moment the shift began. Player signings became for need and based on character rather than just signing players to trend on social media.
Fitzgibbon said, numerous times in interviews and press releases, that he wanted "good men" as well as good players. This says a lot about a rookie coach already showing experience well beyond his years.
Nicho Hynes, arguably the game's most popular player, was signed to fill a role. Social media experts were quick to jump on this saying he was a fullback in the Storm system and nothing more.
Two man of the match performances and a brilliant run to date show perhaps Fitzgibbon does know what he's talking about.
For mine though, the biggest player signing for the Sharks heading into 2022 was Dale Finucane.
I spoke with Sharks prop and cult hero Toby Rudolf in the pre-season who had the following to say about the former Storm legend.
"This is a guy (Finucane) I watched on TV for the past ten years watching First Grade. I look to my right and he's playing next to me. He's also been unreal around the club," Rudolf said.
"He's brought a lot of professionalism. You see him two hours before training doing all his extras, doing his rehab. I'd always heard that he was a true professional and he's definitely living up to the hype."
His leadership on and off the field since arriving at Cronulla cannot be put into words.
Presented with the captaincy following an injury to club captain Wade Graham, Finucane has led from the front. From the second he bursts out of the sheds and sprints onto the field to the moment he delivers his final high five to the crowd before returning to the locker room, he radiates class.
The inclusions of Finucane, Hynes and McInnes have helped shift the Sharks culture in a very positive manner. Throw in the supremely popular Wade Graham, Ken Stephens medal winner Ronaldo Mulitalo and the emerging youngsters and the perception of this team is a complete 180 of what it once was.
That is all down to the arrival of Craig Fitzgibbon and the culture he has built.
The vibe at the Sharks is at an all-time high.
Don't take my word for it though. I went to Sharks social media manager and man on the ground Gary Dover who replied: "Everyone's feeling really good about how it's going. Everyone's been working very hard and the vibe around the club is very good at the moment."
During my pre-season discussion with the aforementioned Toby Rudolf, he was nothing but positive about his new coach, stating: "There definitely has been a different feel this pre-season with Fitz as the head coach. Last year was a lot more sort of straight line running fitness, a lot of real flogging sessions."
"This season it is a lot more footy specific. A lot of 13 on 13 stuff, scrimmage. Just as tiring and apparently we've covered more meteres and ran faster and worked harder. Just doesn't feel that way. Definitely makes pre-season more enjoyable because it's not a very enjoyable time. Fitz has been unreal so far."

Toby Rudolf of the Sharks passes the ball during the Cronulla Sharks NRL training session at UWA Sports Park on February 13, 2020 in Perth, Australia.
(Feb. 12, 2020 - Source: Getty Images AsiaPac)
Judging by the fact Toby has literally jumped into the fans to celebrate on more than one occasion I believe it's fair to suggest he's still enjoying his footy under Fitzgibbon.
I've been to a literal hundred games at Shark Park (known now as Pointsbet Stadium) but, other than 2016 of course, I haven't been witness to such a party atmosphere.
The team is winning, the players are happy and engaged and the fans are having an absolute ball.
Again, that is down a heap of work being undertaken away from the field and that, again, is lead by one Craig Fitzgibbon!

 

[HaroldBishop]

After all the talk of it being a closer comp I reckon it's starting to become lopsided again.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Article from Dan - Zero tackle

Culture Shift: Sharks on field success due to off field efforts​

The Sharks have flipped the script in 2022.​

DAN NICHOLS
STAFF WRITER
APRIL 15, 2022 - 2:41PM
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.zerotackle.com/culture-shift-sharks-on-field-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Culture+Shift:+Sharks+on+field+success+due+to+off+field+efforts&url=https://www.zerotackle.com/culture-shift-sharks-on-field-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/&via=zerotackle
https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Culture+Shift:+Sharks+on+field+success+due+to+off+field+efforts https://www.zerotackle.com/culture-shift-sharks-on-field-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/
https://www.zerotackle.com/culture-shift-sharks-on-field-success-due-to-off-field-efforts-116208/#

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Ronaldo Mulitalo of the Sharks celebrates with his team mates after scoring a try during the round five NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium, on April 10, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Very few things in rugby league are certain.
Those include - fans overreacting to every little thing, media outlets putting pressure on referees whether it is warranted or not, and the Sharks will do something stupid.

Without trying to rub it in for fans in the Shire we've literally seen it all from the boys in blue, on and off the field.
Peptides, shadow boxing, jerseys cut up, bubbler photos going viral, e-mails being found years after the fact. Yikes!

Then there was 2021; the year that very quickly became about John Morris and his departure from the club.
The media has a field day. "Players would walk away" they screamed from rooftops. Fairweather fans and outsiders couldn't believe the way the Sharks board supposedly treated a club hero.
Fast forward to Round 5 of the 2022 NRL competition and it's fair to say, at least at is stands, the decisions made look to be positive ones.
For the record, I am a rusted on, life-long Sharks fan. I have the grey hairs as proof. This club has put me through things no one else in my life ever could.
Also for the record, and you can check my socials for confirmation, I was on board the Craig Fitzgibbon bandwagon from the very second his signing was announced.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon arrives at Sydney Roosters headquarters on May 04, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. NRL Players are gathering for team meeting ahead of a return to training in the lead up to the NRL's return to play date of May 28th. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The need for a culture shift within the club was oh so overdue.
With the greatest of respect to John Morris, the only reason he was placed into the top job following Shane Flanagan's sacking was that he was there and he was affordable.
Huge shout out to Morris. He did his absolute best. In 2020 I'd argue he lead the Sharks to a finals finish that could be considered an overachievement.
That said though, it was obvious he was a caretaker or a bridge coach. The club bided their time and in Fitzgibbon, they got their man.
Even before his arrival at the club the feeling completely shifted within the fanbase.
Fitzgibbon delivered a 12 to 15-minute press conference, still dressed in Roosters gear such is the respect of the man, that put every Sharks mind at ease.
He delivered his message with such grace, professionalism and excitement that you'd have to be made of stone not to feel chills.
Since that moment the shift began. Player signings became for need and based on character rather than just signing players to trend on social media.
Fitzgibbon said, numerous times in interviews and press releases, that he wanted "good men" as well as good players. This says a lot about a rookie coach already showing experience well beyond his years.
Nicho Hynes, arguably the game's most popular player, was signed to fill a role. Social media experts were quick to jump on this saying he was a fullback in the Storm system and nothing more.
Two man of the match performances and a brilliant run to date show perhaps Fitzgibbon does know what he's talking about.
For mine though, the biggest player signing for the Sharks heading into 2022 was Dale Finucane.
I spoke with Sharks prop and cult hero Toby Rudolf in the pre-season who had the following to say about the former Storm legend.
"This is a guy (Finucane) I watched on TV for the past ten years watching First Grade. I look to my right and he's playing next to me. He's also been unreal around the club," Rudolf said.
"He's brought a lot of professionalism. You see him two hours before training doing all his extras, doing his rehab. I'd always heard that he was a true professional and he's definitely living up to the hype."
His leadership on and off the field since arriving at Cronulla cannot be put into words.
Presented with the captaincy following an injury to club captain Wade Graham, Finucane has led from the front. From the second he bursts out of the sheds and sprints onto the field to the moment he delivers his final high five to the crowd before returning to the locker room, he radiates class.
The inclusions of Finucane, Hynes and McInnes have helped shift the Sharks culture in a very positive manner. Throw in the supremely popular Wade Graham, Ken Stephens medal winner Ronaldo Mulitalo and the emerging youngsters and the perception of this team is a complete 180 of what it once was.
That is all down to the arrival of Craig Fitzgibbon and the culture he has built.
The vibe at the Sharks is at an all-time high.
Don't take my word for it though. I went to Sharks social media manager and man on the ground Gary Dover who replied: "Everyone's feeling really good about how it's going. Everyone's been working very hard and the vibe around the club is very good at the moment."
During my pre-season discussion with the aforementioned Toby Rudolf, he was nothing but positive about his new coach, stating: "There definitely has been a different feel this pre-season with Fitz as the head coach. Last year was a lot more sort of straight line running fitness, a lot of real flogging sessions."
"This season it is a lot more footy specific. A lot of 13 on 13 stuff, scrimmage. Just as tiring and apparently we've covered more meteres and ran faster and worked harder. Just doesn't feel that way. Definitely makes pre-season more enjoyable because it's not a very enjoyable time. Fitz has been unreal so far."

Toby Rudolf of the Sharks passes the ball during the Cronulla Sharks NRL training session at UWA Sports Park on February 13, 2020 in Perth, Australia.
(Feb. 12, 2020 - Source: Getty Images AsiaPac)
Judging by the fact Toby has literally jumped into the fans to celebrate on more than one occasion I believe it's fair to suggest he's still enjoying his footy under Fitzgibbon.
I've been to a literal hundred games at Shark Park (known now as Pointsbet Stadium) but, other than 2016 of course, I haven't been witness to such a party atmosphere.
The team is winning, the players are happy and engaged and the fans are having an absolute ball.
Again, that is down a heap of work being undertaken away from the field and that, again, is lead by one Craig Fitzgibbon!

Great article. Thanks @egg for posting it.

 

[MrDravid]

Here's an idea that I've given no time... The NRL takes over all junior development. It's run centrally by the best we can find and clubs sign players to their first grade, top 30 and development squads at a value based on their ability as normal. All teams have equal access to the player pool.

Clubs have no costs and coaches are trained by the central NRL body.

This also helps create a proper second tier competition that would incentive the NRL to monetize it in a way similar to the NFL with college football.

Players would still have a personal preference to play for their local team and with the mates they've played alongside. Maybe the better clubs still get the better juniors, but it might balance out with the sheer volume of juniors in other areas (like outside Melbourne and the eastern suburbs).

This probably improves the overall quality of junior players and coaching staff, which I think is one of the biggest problems to fix.

Have at it!

The big benefit of the NRL taking over development would be you could add in a draft.

Massive disadvantage to the clubs that have put time and effort (and $$) into juniors though.

 

[HaroldBishop]

The big benefit of the NRL taking over development would be you could add in a draft.

Massive disadvantage to the clubs that have put time and effort (and $$) into juniors though.

A potential draft was defeated in court back in the nineties, not sure how the NRL running juniors would change anything.

 

[bort]

A draft would make for a very interesting month or so in the offseason.

Keenly awaiting the NFL draft

 

[sharks2010]

Imagine if a Perth team came in and you got drafted to play in that shithole...

 

[MMsharks]

Here's an idea that I've given no time... The NRL takes over all junior development. It's run centrally by the best we can find and clubs sign players to their first grade, top 30 and development squads at a value based on their ability as normal. All teams have equal access to the player pool.

Clubs have no costs and coaches are trained by the central NRL body.

This also helps create a proper second tier competition that would incentive the NRL to monetize it in a way similar to the NFL with college football.

Players would still have a personal preference to play for their local team and with the mates they've played alongside. Maybe the better clubs still get the better juniors, but it might balance out with the sheer volume of juniors in other areas (like outside Melbourne and the eastern suburbs).

This probably improves the overall quality of junior players and coaching staff, which I think is one of the biggest problems to fix.

Have at it!

I think this is a good idea. why not.
gotta do something.

If NRL is always about the finished product and doesn't want a loped-sided comp etc. make sure everything is solid from the ground up.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

The big benefit of the NRL taking over development would be you could add in a draft.

Massive disadvantage to the clubs that have put time and effort (and $$) into juniors though.

I think this is a good idea too and I thpught of the draft as well.

How about only counting 70% of the salary of the jr towards cap if he is co8mng of age from the club’s development program? That would offset the draft disadvantage, or maybe the “mother” club gets the first pick.

 

[MMsharks]

cleary will get just a slap on the wrist
v
cam McInnes - will go for how long?


[sorry all, I'm just bitter about Penrith, can't stand them; they are a protected species ]

 

[apezza]

cleary will get just a slap on the wrist
v
cam McInnes - will go for how long?


[sorry all, I'm just bitter about Penrith, can't stand them; they are a protected species ]

Even if Cam gets only a grade 1 (fine) I would fight it. Worst penalty ever

 

[Sir Chadley]

Cam was not charged, see his thread.

 

[MMsharks]

Foxsports, oh lordy!!!
they are beating this Eels v west tigers game up!!!

surely the Eels will run away with it

 

[sharks2010]

Foxsports, oh lordy!!!
they are beating this Eels v west tigers game up!!!

surely the Eels will run away with it

Gotta get people to watch it somehow haha

 

[Western Sharkie]

Gotta get people to watch it somehow haha

Is the promise of the tigs getting whipped again reason enough?