Magic Arrow
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2007
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There was more high drama this week in the soap opera that is rugby league. Todd Carney and Anthony Watts have found themselves in hot water for very different reasons but both have generated headlines that no footy fan wanted to see.
Or did they?
I am in no way trivialising or justifying the actions of players who have broken the law or suffer from serious personal issues. But I can't help but think that there is a huge section of the community that is in some way addicted to the drama attached to the story of the fallen star. Rest assured these kinds of stories would not feature so heavily in our media if this were not true.
Let's cut through the headlines and help dispel some of the myths and reinforce some of the truths that usually get tossed up after one (or two) of our finest have misbehaved.
Myth #1
Rugby league players get paid too much. This one is my favourite because it is believed by most young footballers that make it to the elite level.
Truth:The average salary of an NRL player is $120,000 and the average career is 52 games. This is hardly enough to retire as a millionaire but unfortunately that is what most young players think will happen the moment they sign their first contract.
Myth #2
Rugby league players have too much spare time.
Truth: Today's NRL players will spend somewhere between 30 to 35 hours at work. This figure does not include any private study or business commitments taken on outside of contracted responsibilities. It should also be noted that the Toyota Cup competition has a 'No Work, No Study, No Play' policy.
Myth #3
Players should have learnt what not to do by now.
Truth: Like everyone else on the planet, rugby league players will fail their way to success. They will make the mistake, learn the lesson and then hopefully be better for the experience.
I get fed up with the expectation that because an alleged crime has been committed by someone else in the game those watching will and should also learn the lesson. If this were the case why would we need prisons? Hasn't the human race been committing, and getting jailed for, the same crimes over thousands of years? How many of us were told by teachers and parents what not to do but still had to find out for ourselves?
Myth #4
Players don't know how lucky they've got it.
Truth: There is not a day that goes past that these young men don't get reminded that they are living the dream, either through personal reinforcement or regular remarks from friends and family. Sometimes it may look like they've forgotten, but tell me this, if you forget to ring your mum on her birthday does it mean you've stopped loving her?
That said, here's my two cents on Todd Carney.
Like most of us, Carney is flawed. He has admitted to having a problem with alcohol and will ride an emotional rollercoaster for the rest of his life. I really hope he gets the help he needs because battling demons in private is bad enough let alone having to do it with everyone watching.
Carney has been given every opportunity to succeed on the paddock, but right now we need to forget the footy and help him get his head right. I for one don't care if I see Carney play in the NRL ever again, but I would love to see the look of pride on his mum's face knowing her son has faced up to his personal battles and come away victorious.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-real-lives-20110420-1doze.html#ixzz1K9IC5Dzh
Or did they?
I am in no way trivialising or justifying the actions of players who have broken the law or suffer from serious personal issues. But I can't help but think that there is a huge section of the community that is in some way addicted to the drama attached to the story of the fallen star. Rest assured these kinds of stories would not feature so heavily in our media if this were not true.
Let's cut through the headlines and help dispel some of the myths and reinforce some of the truths that usually get tossed up after one (or two) of our finest have misbehaved.
Myth #1
Rugby league players get paid too much. This one is my favourite because it is believed by most young footballers that make it to the elite level.
Truth:The average salary of an NRL player is $120,000 and the average career is 52 games. This is hardly enough to retire as a millionaire but unfortunately that is what most young players think will happen the moment they sign their first contract.
Myth #2
Rugby league players have too much spare time.
Truth: Today's NRL players will spend somewhere between 30 to 35 hours at work. This figure does not include any private study or business commitments taken on outside of contracted responsibilities. It should also be noted that the Toyota Cup competition has a 'No Work, No Study, No Play' policy.
Myth #3
Players should have learnt what not to do by now.
Truth: Like everyone else on the planet, rugby league players will fail their way to success. They will make the mistake, learn the lesson and then hopefully be better for the experience.
I get fed up with the expectation that because an alleged crime has been committed by someone else in the game those watching will and should also learn the lesson. If this were the case why would we need prisons? Hasn't the human race been committing, and getting jailed for, the same crimes over thousands of years? How many of us were told by teachers and parents what not to do but still had to find out for ourselves?
Myth #4
Players don't know how lucky they've got it.
Truth: There is not a day that goes past that these young men don't get reminded that they are living the dream, either through personal reinforcement or regular remarks from friends and family. Sometimes it may look like they've forgotten, but tell me this, if you forget to ring your mum on her birthday does it mean you've stopped loving her?
That said, here's my two cents on Todd Carney.
Like most of us, Carney is flawed. He has admitted to having a problem with alcohol and will ride an emotional rollercoaster for the rest of his life. I really hope he gets the help he needs because battling demons in private is bad enough let alone having to do it with everyone watching.
Carney has been given every opportunity to succeed on the paddock, but right now we need to forget the footy and help him get his head right. I for one don't care if I see Carney play in the NRL ever again, but I would love to see the look of pride on his mum's face knowing her son has faced up to his personal battles and come away victorious.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-real-lives-20110420-1doze.html#ixzz1K9IC5Dzh
