If you want an encapsulation of what the media and NRL don’t understand about the Parramatta’s fanbase reaction to the salary cap saga, it came at the end of my interview with Triple M today, when it was remarked that my opinions were “too considered” for someone who runs a “rabid” supporter website.
The NRL and mainstream media both still believe that supporters are largely stupid and ignorant, and treat us, as such.
They do not realise that this is the age of supporter empowerment. We live in a time, where those who follow sport, no longer simply swallow mass media as gospel, rather a large percentage of them go online where, using sites like this, knowledgeable and passionate fans analyse, dissect and spit out again every single news story, rumour and event.
The NRL thought it could handle this in the same way it might have five years. It gathered all the media together and gave them deep, private briefings. The irony is, it is those journalists who have used their privileged information to “rabidly” beat up a frenzy of anger and outrage, parroting the NRL’s messaging.
And increasingly the media appears to be getting frustrated that Eels fans seemingly “just don’t get it” and so we’re now seeing dribble like this - Parramatta Eels salary cap: Fans should direct their rage at those responsible for this mess - to which I say, don’t you dare lecture us on how we should feel, or who we should blame. I had fully intended to go on Triple M today and talk about accountability, but as soon as James Hooper felt the need to “respectfully” explain to me, why all of you who feel that the club has been treated unfairly, were wrong, I couldn’t help but go into defence mode.
In 2016 facts win the Internet. And who wins the Internet, is increasingly who wins the day.
The NRL thought it could sweep this through, by throwing out some big numbers and making some big statements, and that the fans would bow our heads in shame, grab our pitchforks, run out the miscreants and thank the NRL for their mercy. That they could leverage the media to tell their story, by presenting nothing but top-line findings.
And some of what they said was disingenuous. They told the world we were half a million dollars above the salary cap, without explaining that was because a whole bunch of past TPA breaches were loaded into our present cap. They have thrown out a $3 million figure without giving any indication as to what is included in that. Does it include the breaches, we’ve already been pinged for? Has the NRL just included every single TPA done at the club, because they appeared in the spreadsheet or were mentioned in a board meeting.
Now, I’ll pause here, and say that I fully appreciate the NRL is in a difficult position and in many ways they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. I’m sure they are limited in what they can actually release to the public, due to the current breach process.
However, they also must realise that without details, without evidence, Eels fans will feel slighted. Everybody who follows the NRL believes that every club organises TPA components on every sizable contract. So excuse us if we don’t just roll over, because we were unlucky enough to have traitors in the ranks, who have deliberately sabotaged the club.
To my mind, the NRL must re-think its breach processes. Clubs and officials should be breached behind closed doors, and given sufficient time to respond and away from the media hounds and spotlight. And when the NRL goes public, it needs to present as full disclosure as possible. That's not to mention accepting it’s own level of accountability as to why it's TPA system has been so easily compromised and what action it will take to address the issues that led to this mess. Maybe then Eels fans will be able to swallow this bitter pill, a little more easily.
Now, I’m on record (umpteen times) as saying I don’t believe the club has handled any of this well. A lot of you don’t agree with me. I think when the NRL does ultimately give more details (and they will) they will reveal details of things like the cash payments that were mentioned in the press conference, and that’s going to look even worse for the club and everyone involved. If it were me, I’d be sitting at the table with the NRL, trying to compromise on the best result for the club and the game. Again, a lot of your don’t agree with me, but I also fully recognise that until all the facts are on the table, every one of you has every right to feel exactly the way you do. And that’s the way it should be.
Replies
I agree phil, the club should sit down with the nrl and sort this out, the problem is the best people in a position to answer the breaches alleged to have taken place are the 5 the nrl will not deal with. Part of the compromise deal should be that the nrl release more detail and in exchange the infamous 5 should all stand down after and only after the cub has had time to process the report.
The NRL are damned if they do or damned if they don't because the whole time News Ltd were publishing all that speculation at no time did they ( the NRL ) come out and clarify some of the facts. They let News Ltd run it's agenda unchecked thus riling up the whole league against the Eels. I think it was Randolf William Hearst who said You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war. Seems a relevant considering the type of journalism we have seen on display at News Ltd.
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Great read Phil, like you and many others, I believe we need a change of management to take our club in the right direction and to hopefully prevent this sort of thing from happening again. It's pretty obvious that we can't continue with the current incumbents, too much has happened.
But you're also right in saying that us eels supporters want the real facts to come out so that we can all make an informed judgement on what the NRL has accused us of, that should be our democratic right.
If, at the end of the day, when all evidence has been put on the table for all to see and our club has committed the crimes we're accused of, then we can accept our rightful punishment and move on. But right now we all want justice to be seen and done. Nothing more, nothing less.
I completely agree that the breach process is flawed. It always has been, it's not unique to this situation. The preliminary breach notice should not be made public. It should be issued in confidence, allow time to respond and then the final notice made public.
We aren't going to see a full copy of the preliminary breach notice. We don't usually and now the court has ordered that it remain confidential. This is supposed to protect both those affected by the preliminary breach notice and the NRL.
It's frustrating and the cause of substantial confusion - but we shouldn't be thinking there aren't any detailed allegations.
The NRL should also come out and clearly explain the appeals process. They should make it clear that the 5 and club are able to appeal the final breach notice to the NRL Review Committee (which is headed by federal court judge). But the substance of the NRL's decision cannot be appealed to the court.
The 5 and club can go to the court if they think that they haven't been afforded procedural fairness but the court will not examine all the evidence and order different penalties. The best we can hope for is for the original decision and penalties to be set aside, it be handed back to the NRL to start all over again.
I always knew the mainstream media were highly influential but I learnt this week that not only do they run the game but they're also the most destabilizing pack of bastards and a total and utter blight on our game, Greenberg isn't running this game, the Kents and Hadley's are and Hoopers responses to you only typifies that, he obviously didn't expect your response and I can only imagine him thinking 'sheesh he got me there' ...
We need to continue to maintain the rage by seeking the answers we deserve but more importantly turn out in droves next Friday to support the boys and show those agenda driven turds that we still deserve to be in this contest up to our eye balls.
Phil that was a sucker punch getting you in. Gave you little time for response, they had anticipated your opening point and shut it down with once again a generalized answer. Then finished by patronizing you at the end.
This is why, in my former job, we would have prepared statements for the media rats, as well as prepping all the pers in media stewardship.
Mate, I'm going to give you a truthful response you deserve and not patronize you.
With due respect, they walked all over you.
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