Source :- THE AGE NEWS
An ex-judge could have the final word on overly negative media coverage of the NRL as the game’s governing body ramps up its crackdown on conflicts of interest within the code.
The NRL is set to assign an employee to act as a “media cop”, policing rugby league commentators who are perceived to have competing roles in the game. The employee’s remit will extend to callers perceived to be too negative in their coverage.
If individuals are deemed to have broken the NRL’s rules, they could be removed from their roles following a thorough process. This would involve a complaint being lodged by anyone to the networks. Talent would then be asked, via the networks, to explain their comments. If the explanation was not considered adequate, the NRL would refer the incident to an independent figure – potentially a judge or a senior lawyer – who would then determine whether the person should be removed from their role.
That would be a stunning call.
The NRL is saying the rule was welcomed by the networks and that it was not imposed on them.
As previously reported here, individuals working in the media will have to declare conflicts of interest on an NRL register, detailing their roles in the game outside of commentary. They will need to declare links to players, agents, boards, sponsors, and clubs. Networks will need to remind staff of their responsibilities.
The NRL may even look to employ an additional person to deal with the networks, along with other media-related tasks.
The NRL are calling the crackdown: “The Lancaster Rule”.
The name relates directly to the attacks on former Dragons coach Shane Flanagan from Fox Sports in the first few months of the 2025 NRL season. The vitriol led to St George Illawarra chairman Andrew Lancaster, who is also a Nine board member, criticising the media.
The rule is included as a clause in its recently signed-off $5.3 billion broadcast agreement with Nine (the owner of this masthead), Foxtel Group and Sky NZ.
Tigers culture under microscope
Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp has defended Benji Marshall’s tight-knit “2005 club”, but has conceded he is open to changes at the struggling club.
This column has revealed there is concern about Marshall’s authority not being challenged enough – and we can tell you there will be a short and long-term attempt to shake up the coaching roster with a view to changing the culture of the team.
However, with contracts in place, it’s not an easy process.
The Adam Doueihi culture revelations were first reported here last week – double standards and vaping (not in the gym) were raised and have been treated with respect by Marshall.
Now we can tell you the make-up of the squad will be under the microscope, with culture the key measure when they re-sign or move players on.
Mielekamp has defended the use of Pat Richards as football manager, assistants John Morris and Brett Hodgson and Chris Heighington as head trainer – all key figures in the Tigers’ 2005 premiership win, and all mates of Marshall.
The concern around the ’05 personnel has been relayed to me by club insiders – like everything we reported last week. It’s not a personal observation.
“I’m not a yes man, and I back the people we had – we will do this our way,” Mielekamp said. “I’m not saying it’s a total lockdown when it comes to bringing in new people. There will always be changes in the club.
“Also, it is healthy for a club to look back to their past and honour the successes. They are the things that you build on. The 2005 guys are the ones who know what winning looks like, and they are the only ones who know that. But winning in the future will look different, and it’s important we know that.
“I wasn’t there in 2005, so I won’t buy the idea it’s too much of a clique.”
The big concern for the Tigers is the extension of Samuela Fainu. The club is aware they need to present their best offer to retain the talented back-rower.
The Storm are facing some huge challenges. It could be their most important season since 2011, the year after they were stripped of their 2007 and 2009 premierships following the salary cap scandal.
The retention of Bellamy is vital – provided his health is reasonable.
“We’re working towards a scenario that would see him coach on next year,” Tripp said. “Nothing has been finalised, but that would be the plan.”
Gus going to Chelsea?
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould had an interesting visitor this week. Chelsea Football Club general manager Laurence Stewart reached out to Gould for a catch-up while here in Sydney with the visiting English Premier League giants.
While there are obvious differences between league and soccer, the pair shared similar interests and discussed common challenges like establishing club culture, building coaching and high-performance teams, staff management, player recruitment and development, and keeping their organisations up to date with the latest expertise, resources, technologies, and the possibilities of AI.
Stewart also invited Gould and his coaching staff to visit Chelsea Football Club in London as part of their annual personal development initiatives.
“He is a highly impressive individual,” Gould said of Stewart. “He’s really switched on, and he is also a real fan of rugby league. It was a great experience to meet him, and what a wonderful contact to have in the world of professional sport.”
Jai-Day feeling
Over 100 current and former stars of the NRL and NRLW took part in “Jai-Day” on Friday to raise funds for Jai Arrow, who is bravely fighting motor neurone disease.
Teaming up with video messaging platform Swysh, 100 per cent of the price of every personalised video made by a rugby league star was donated to Jai and his family via the Family of League, a charity supporting people within the game.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett was a noticeable supporter, joining his skipper Cameron Murray to do a limited number of joint videos to support their loved teammate. I’m told over $20,000 was raised from the campaign in July. Well done to all who took part.
Cleary’s gear shift
“Brand” Cleary is going to the next level.
Nathan Cleary is set to launch his own range of footballs and kicking tees. He has been heavily involved in the design process and will be on the market soon. It’s the kind of project that’s worthy of his standing in the game.
Rosie future for Kenny’s granddaughter
Legendary presenter Ken Sutcliffe saw and worked at some of the great sporting events around the world. But his pride in the way his granddaughter Rosie Ferguson is starring for the NSW Waratahs indicates her success is the best thing he has seen.
She scored a cracking individual try in the Super Rugby Women grand final against Fiji last week. There is a real TV presenter vibe flowing through the team as Rosie plays along Edie Burke – the daughter of Nine presenter and former Wallaby fullback, Matt Burke. Rosie, 25, comes from Manilla near Tamworth and is also an excellent horse rider.
Sneaker ban at NRL HQ
The NRL’s people and culture department has sent a note to staff outlining a new edict regarding dress codes. Staff need to be dressed professionally, and that means no sneakers unless for medical reasons. And work hours are strictly from 8.30am to 5pm.
Vapes of wrath
The most talked-about person when it comes to allegations of vaping at the Wests Tigers this week has been Terrell May. In fairness to May, he has never touched a drug in his life. He had never vaped or smoked and gave up the drink five years ago.
Beau knows a bad yarn
News Corp went on the attack after Triple M breakfast host Beau Ryan labelled an article about Adam Doueihi’s future as “dogshit journalism”.
The story said Doueihi’s situation at the club was untenable and that he was leaving the Tigers. For now, this has proved to be incorrect. Ryan’s blast resulted in News Corp banning their journalists from appearing on Triple M podcasts.
It’s understood some behind-the-scenes chats between Ryan and News Corp officials settled the matter before some of their well-paid journalists were robbed of an extra earn.
The other issue News Corp had to deal with was a story it ran suggesting Laurie Daley had quit as Blues coach because of a health issue. Daley has yet to officially call it a day. And this column first wrote about Daley’s health at the start of the year, when doctors told him to shed some weight and improve his diet or risk developing concerning conditions. He lost 20kg and stayed off alcohol. His health was great during Origin. He was furious about the story and the impact it had on his family.
Fever pitch
Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston and Allana Ferguson have caught Saturday night fever ahead of Channel 9 picking up a fourth free NRL fixture each week.
It starts with next Saturday night’s clash between the Rabbitohs and Eels from 7.30pm.
The trio dressed up in their best 1970s disco kit like John Travolta in the iconic movie Saturday Night Fever at Nine’s North Sydney studio to celebrate the extra fixture.
“Everyone wanted to be able to dance like John Travolta. Not many could pull off the outfit as well,” Fittler said. “He was the king of the nightclub and after this shoot we’ve all got Saturday fight fever for some free footy on the run to the finals.”
Sources involved in the shoot said Fittler had to be dragged out of his Travolta outfit after dancing his way through the corridors.
Nine, the owner of this masthead, will have Saturday night football for the rest of the regular season before telecasting every finals match, plus exclusive live coverage of the NRL grand final on October 4.
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