The Cumberland Throw

The Spotlight – The Rugby League Media

There’s a question I’d like to pose to our readers. It’s something that’s been a source of internal conflict for me, and no doubt for other supporters.

Over recent weeks, the Parramatta Eels have featured regularly across mainstream and social media over a variety of topics.

From the stadium deal, to salary cap dilemmas, shopping players around and of course the Jarryd Hayne issues, it’s all been fodder for those who ply their trade reporting on rugby league.

This is nothing new to Parramatta supporters. We’ve long known that casting an Eels related headline into NRL waters is genuine clickbait – but we seem to gobble it up regardless.

Back in 2016, the media coverage of the salary cap breaches was relentless. Before that, the mess surrounding the recruitment of Foran, the departure of Hayne to the NFL, and Ricky Stuart’s “Projectorgate” shone the media focus on the Eels – and that was only the tip of the iceberg from the last 6 years.

Undoubtedly supporters want to be in the know. Back in the days of my childhood, I grew up on a diet of Big League, Rugby League Week, The Rugby Leaguer (for a season and a bit) and four daily newspapers. The “gossip” content wasn’t as high back then, but it was becoming popular.

A passion for footy, a love of the Eels and an ambition to be a rugby league journalist drove my reading. I’d exhaust my pocket money on nothing but footy, with newsagents reminding me that I wasn’t in a library when I’d look through such publications in their shop when the funds were limited.

These days, television and the Internet have become the domain for rugby league journalists. There might be paywalls to prevent quick access, but in reality newspaper columns are easily accessed online, especially through supporter websites.

There’s always been quality to be found in the media – brilliant investigative journos who research and write on important issues. Chris Masters was a prime example of the impact a journalist can have. He literally changed the rugby league landscape in 1983 with his report on the malpractice surrounding dismissed fraud charges against then NSWRL Executive Secretary, and ARL Chairman, Kevin Humphreys.

However, the appetite for gossip and speculation has also produced journalists who seem to “specialise” in this endeavour.

And then we have greatest consumer and facilitator of rugby league speculation – supporter forums. Let’s be honest, we might bitch and moan about how inaccurate certain columnists are with their “mail”, but their columns are read nonetheless. And reacted to. The latest gossip is discussed in forums, at work and in pubs. And the rumours gain a life of their own.

In other words, we, the supporters, literally drive the very thing that we complain about – inaccurate rumours and innuendos about players, coaches and clubs.

Which brings me to my question. Do we get Eels related news, regardless of whether it’s good or bad, simply because we provide unqualified demand?

I would suggest that Eels supporters would be unsatisfied if Parra didn’t feature in rugby league news, regardless of its nature.

You could literally imagine the response of “Nothing about Parra?” being uttered in the homes of supporters after episodes of shows like NRL360 if the club wasn’t mentioned.

What do we crave?

Inside news is always at the forefront. Whether it be about the players themselves, team selections, their preparations, the uncensored opinions of players or coaches – we enjoy reading something unique about our team.

It’s this quest for something unique that likely inspires rumours on forum sites. You’ve got those who want to be seen as having “scoops” and you’ve got readers looking for something that they may not find in mainstream media. And of course, everyone has an opinion.

Player recruitment is unquestionably a big ticket item. The rumours will often get bigger reactions  than actual signings, given that the rumours always seem to feature big name players, and the signings are often a previous rumour.

And when the club “misses out” on a big signing, whether they were actually pursuing the player or not, look out because the fans are going to react.

That press conference.

Player retention probably sits just below recruitment, unless that player is Jarryd Hayne. People have their favourites and people have their scapegoats. Interestingly, Hayne seems to polarise fans along those lines. (I regard him as a must to retain.)

Of course a season such as 2018 throws coach rumours into the mix in a big way. Coaches are the easiest target in a poor season and the recent merry-go-round of coaches only serves to add credibility to the countless whispers that mostly fail to come to fruition.

Away from the football itself, rugby league is a soap opera with a never-to-be-exhausted script. Social media faux pas, player behaviour scandals captured on phone cameras, and the occasional drink driving along with other run-ins with the police, are a source of headaches for administration and the gift that keeps on giving for journalists.

Players and clubs do plenty of good in the community, and supporters would probably respond well to good news stories. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the balance falls more on the negative than the positive.

Maybe, this is just the nature of news. I challenge anybody to tune into the evening news programs and find a bulletin featuring more good news than bad. It seems that the importance of information is measured by potential negative impact.

So, do we get the news we deserve? Can clubs do a better job of controlling that balance or is it completely out of their control?

As we head into the NRL pre-season, whether it be Parra or any other club, I’m hoping for more good news than bad.

But I certainly want my news.

Eels forever!

Sixties

 

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33 thoughts on “The Spotlight – The Rugby League Media

  1. colin hussey

    Very interesting and thought provoking article sixties.

    News is something I like especially in regard to the eels, when we have seasons like this past one from hell its quite unpleasant especially with the subsequent abuse columns on social media, but I stay away from the thumbs machines sites for a good reason, and that is to limit the amount of garbage that I can handle.

    The eels as supporters, and all know that we are passionate about our team and why shouldn’t we be that way. In the end I try to be reasoned in what I put out in replies, doesn’t work that much but at least it keeps me on the sanity road rather than the other one.

    News on signings of players are watched for, but often not all signings broker a lot of enthusiasm from me and others, some of that is probably the result of limited amounts of time in watching the new ones especially off season unknowns.

    The big thing though is that any news can be good news if its presented in the right way, with that we take risks with a new player owing to the unknown, maybe the old trial method would help in that area before actually offering a full contract to them.

    So from my perspective, I see what is presented here on TCT is by far the best available, especially training and match reports, the analysis of games and even the training reports, go well, interviews are another one that give us good info into what’s going on.

    Keep up the standard and thanks to all contributors both those who post the blogs but also all those who give great input, and even those who don’t, that’s the best part getting sane like replies and discussions.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks Colin. In keeping with original content and not copying and pasting stories and columns from other sources, there’s plenty of the speculation that we don’t get involved with. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t interested or don’t have opinions. We simply aim to provide a point of difference as a site.
      I often wonder about the decisions that the club has to make about their own media. Younger players are understandably sheltered from too much exposure. Signing announcements are low key. The players have media training and do quite well with media calls. I’d imagine they have to find a balance between media demands and training commitments.
      As for the media, it only takes reference to the poisoned chalice of the number 7 Eels jersey, premiership droughts or Parra juniors playing elsewhere, and you get an opinion from just about everyone.
      I’ve simply come to the opinion that we’ve become so accustomed to negative news that we’ll lap it up as readily as good news.

      1. colin hussey

        sixties, your last sentence sums it really, I much prefer to live in the positive lane than the opposite, but not afraid to say my thoughts in regard to some aspects, such as some player performances, its not that hard to say that a player has not performed well, without the vitriol that accompanies others who go overboard. MUD types.

  2. Shelley

    Well written. The problem as I see it, is that there is no distinction between reporting the news and writing an opinion piece. What a journalist thinks a club should do becomes what they are doing ‘ according to sources’ and as league has very few independent journalists the writing becomes self serving.

    On Hayne, six weeks ago I would have been very unhappy with Parra not signing him.Hayne is the most talented player I have seen play in a Parra jersey and I have no doubt at all that he really does care for Parra. But now I am over him and all his drama. He cannot stay away from Twitter. He is publically calling out the club, arguing with fans on Twitter and Instagram, basically calling for a team member to be moved on just for him and writing the journalists stories for them. The last few months every interview by anyone associated with the club is about Hayne. We cannot become a team again just about one player. Yet we have and this will always be the case with Hayne and Parra. Not entirely his fault, but he does not help himself.
    There are some highly paid players I would be happy to be seen moved on but I actually would like some young players promoted and they need to surrounded by senior players who will put the team first, not players who can not control themselves and get into childish arguments on the internet. A team first player does not do media interviews telling everyone the club really wants me but the person they want moved on won’t go. That is selfish and not what we need. You can not build relationships from a basis like that. I fear Hayne coming back now will simply cause more friction, not to mention the endless news reports all summer the club and players, especially young players, will be subjected to. Time to move on.

    1. sixties Post author

      Shelley, as usual a thought provoking comment from you. My concern around Hayne was that there are no winners from it playing out in the media. Should we be in the position where it’s playing out like this?
      “According to sources” – that type of comment used to be the domain of celebrity gossip magazines. It’s easy to use such a term when naming a source is impossible.

      1. Shelley

        I really hate the rumours and gossiping that players at Parra and a few other clubs have to put up with, however two things are true. If we the fans did not read/subscribe to these papers- sport shows they would change because it is a buisness.
        Secondly it won’t change anytime soon so we need players who can handle it. I really like Hayne, think he is poorly treated by the media as he is an easy target who gets clicks. But the way he has handled this past couple of weeks has been in my view very poor. He has poured fuel on the fire. To me he has come across as young boy throwing a tantrum. This may be a very unfair reflection but that is the way his tweets and interviews have looked. He needed to let the club handle it behind closed doors. But he selected to air his grievances publically. He invites the media in and then blames them when they write stories. He can not have it both ways.

        1. rowdy roddy

          Shelley, I couldn’t have put it better myself. Once upon a time, prior to his chasing the NFL dream Jarryd Hayne was able to dictate 80% of what and when he contributed to the Parramatta club because he was the the only one who change the fortunes of our footy team at a whim. He was that good, and even when he had a solid team around him as in 2009 he was allowed to train and play as he saw fit.
          That is no longer the case, BA has shown that he could get success with or without JH. I also believe that BA knows how to weigh up the pros and cons of having JH in the club and the ramifications of giving him “the benefit of the doubt”!
          Jarryd does not create unity in a footy team let alone a footy club. If JH gets another contract with us it will, IMO be the greatest challenge that BA has ever taken on so far in his coaching career. Striving for greater unity and re-signing JH in the same breath is in my opinion an oxymoron. I might add, I do not think it is beyond BA to accomplish both. Brad’s skill as a man manager and coach has only just scratched the surface. 😉

          1. sixties Post author

            I agree that this is a scenario that shouldn’t be played out in social media. However, I wonder why it is. Just saying.

          2. Anonymous

            My opinion in the situation regarding Jarryd and whether he gets a new contract is confusing. Am I right in saying that towards the end of last season BA stated that they would give Jarryd time to make a decision, and Jarryd said he would wait until the season ended before he made his call? I think Jarryd made his call and then we said we can’t afford you, but wait we might fit you in if we can move someone on. What happens next is a whole lot of confusing actions – Jarryd going to social media and Parra saying nothing.
            In the absence of official communication the grapevine thrives – rule No.1 in corporate communication, and I think Parra’s official communication with their fans leaves a lot to be desired.

  3. Trouser Eel

    I think you’re right, Parra sells papers (or in the modern vernacular, gets clicks.) I’m over it to be honest. I want to go back to the days when I went to the game hoping my team would win, knowing nothing more Thant the team selection and the injured list.
    I read this website because it’s not littered with rumour and innuendo. I wish there were more like it.
    If someone could show me how to get all the other media bulls$#!t out of my Twitter and Facebook feed, I’d be forever grateful.

    1. sixties Post author

      I get asked many, many times throughout a season about who we’re chasing. I no longer care who we chase, I only care about who we sign. A multitude of clubs can be chasing someone. Parra mightn’t even be one of them, but we’ll certainly be linked. If we worry to much about that sort of crap it will do your head in.
      Then there’s other types of rumours.
      Players get linked to wrong doings and it gets a life of its own via hearsay, regardless of there being facts or not.

  4. DDay

    Some good questions posed. Agree Sixties, Eels supporters provide “unqualified demand”. I feel the previous constant leaking of information from Eels Board members has conditioned Eels fans to go looking for the content and for the media to realise the value of Eels clickbait stories – creating a virtuous circle. The new Board is tight and I think many of us Eels fans are struggling with the transition and the media are struggling with the void leading to creative writing. Maybe the club’s media team could do more to fill the void?
    Another factor is Parramatta are not a team that are hated – so media companies run Eels stories knowing there’s general NRL fan appeal.
    And like Colin, I limit my intake of negative, vitriolic and fake news so whilst I might click on the link it doesn’t mean I read it nor believe it. That is also why TCT is my first port of call when I’m looking for an update, thanks guys.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks DDay. I agree about being conditioned and I think that there’s some conditioning to expect the negative coverage, certainly for some.

  5. Anonymous

    Another interesting article Sixties and again the media therein lies the truth and also where the truth should be. Who knows? I know i have no idea.
    Parra do sell- yes they do. This was seen in 2016 and the continual coverage through leaks it seems from some disgruntled staff and or people in the know. What i found interesting was the level of outrage from some in the media, yet when we saw Melb issue after which they won a comp or two, the media seemed to focus on the players and coach staying together etc. besides some receiving the odd extra item, contract and or boat.
    As for Hayne, well i am over it tbh and do not really care as long as the 17 run out each week put in for the club.
    As some have said we did not want this all being played in the media yet it has. The club, player and manager and others need to take ownership.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks anon. I’m sure that just like teams produce a tip sheet on their opposition, the media will produce a tip sheet for what works for each club in getting the greatest response.

  6. John Eel

    Sometimes I feel that the club is slow to respond to social media. Notwithstanding all times it is appropriate to ignore.

    Speculation on recruitment is one such time. When there was speculation over Mark O’Neil that was an example of where they should have stepped in

    By the way has anyone spotted MO yeti?

    1. rowdy roddy

      G’day John, Yes mate I saw him at Saleyards two weeks back on a Monday or Tuesday just before lunchtime, earlier in the week that official training began.
      I was having a chat to our S & F trainer Adrian J. who was so eager to start a full off season with his mates from Melbourne days BA and David K. He really spoke positively about our expanding coaching and training staff and their hopes and plans for the coming season. There was not a hint of confusion or disappointment in our current roster just a determined confidence that the staff could and would get the first grade squad top 30 well prepared and firing for the coming season.
      BA walked past us towards the eastern gate alone and returned a couple of minutes later with Mark O’Neil who cheerfully introduced himself to me and Adrian. Mark appeared relaxed and confident but certainly not cocky, affable.

  7. MattL

    Great discussion topic. I have been thinking the same for ages, especially re Hayne.
    The media uses him for a reason though, even in non Hayne related social media articles by the 2nd or 3rd comment someone’s already brought his resigning into the conversation.

    The media feed us whatever we will swallow.

  8. Steve Moore

    Having lived in the Parramatta district for the majority of my life, and now I live in Brisbane (where we are convinced there are only 3 Teams in the NRL), I can say I crave *any* Eels news — no so much from the News Ltd camps, but objective reporting without the ridiculous spin. Unless there’s a scandal, Eels news never makes it into the mainstream Brisbane airwaves. … just my 2c. 😊

    1. sixties Post author

      I suppose this is where social media would fill a void. It would become the barometer of topics, and most frequently Eels news. My sympathies for being fed a diet of Queenslander team news mate!

  9. BDon

    Challenging topic! My head hurts thinking about it. Recent events tend to be more top of mind for people and we certainly have generated a stack of unqualified demand for all forms of media over the past 10 years since the Hayne year 2009, and it seems about 80% bad news since then. Click bait heaven.
    Can’t help but think the whole thing is what it is, society has chosen a path and Rugby League trudges down it with everybody. The media ‘presented’ its topics more carefully, more respectfully pre-internet. I loved Controversy Corner, never missed it before getting out to Cumberland or Fairfield Park on a Sunday. Mike Gibson’s column was an education in the personality of League. I’ve always thought, however, that Greg Hartley and Gary Cook may not have stood up too well under the media world of now.
    Hard questions to answer sixties, with social media, the press seems more free than ever. Efforts to control your image and message probably correlate to your bank balance, ie what can you afford?

    1. sixties Post author

      My memory of Controversy Corner, and it might not be accurate with the passing of time, was that it wasn’t as much about personal life controversies, but rather focussed on the game.
      In my mind, Cook and Hartley would not have measured up under the scrutiny of today. The errors would come under the microscope of cameras. Even the issues with referees today do not come close to issues of yesteryear. Imagine Hartley with a microphone!

      1. BDon

        Dead right about Controversy Corner sixties, couldn’t imagine Frank Hyde or Noel Kelly being gossip commentators.

      2. colin hussey

        I used to enjoy that show, much better than the other channel with the late Wone Casey in charge, always wonder where he played RL according to his knowledge.

        None of the current RL TV shows come anywhere near what that show had, some of todays Sunday shows have tried to repeat things like the pass the ball, and the old elephant would scream is a player got the ball through the bulls eye. The Fatty show was very much a degrading one for mine, and my only surprise with it is that it lasted as long as it did.

        My memories of Hartley are mixed, I saw him ref Parra and Balmain at Leichardt one year, we got thumped by Balmain and everyone around blamed him for the loss. I used to cross out the penalty and the scrums box in the old program at each game I attended for the 3 grades. On that particular day it was a whistle fest by the best of the pea blowers of the day, and Balmain received IIRC it was mid single numbers, 5 or 6 however the eels got 19 penalties on the day, and I remember saying that aspect to a couple of the eels supporters, boy did I get abused for that.

        Still believe we were never in the hunt on that day and the ref had nothing to do with it.

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