Time for league loyalty: Dowling

Emma Greenwood

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

© The Cairns Post

 

FORMER international Greg Dowling says rugby league needs to stop singling out players to save from leaving the sport.

Despite the increasing threat of players walking out on league for rich rugby union deals, Dowling believes measures other than rescue packages are needed to stop the exodus.

And he says player loyalty has got to be part of the
solution.

"At the end of the day, these people have got to think about what the game has done for them," he said.

"What has their club done for them, what has (playing for) Queensland, Australia done for them."

Dowling has endorsed players earning what they can during their limited athletic careers but said singling out individuals for extra salary packages from the NRL was wrong.

Melbourne Storm has approached the NRL to help retain Greg Inglis, while both Brisbane and North Queensland have said they would expect the same treatment for Karmichael Hunt and Johnathan Thurston if a deal was struck.

"It’s fraught with danger," Dowling said of possible individual deals. "Where do you stop with it?"

Dowling said the only solution was to grow the sport’s revenue.

"We’ve got to get the game bigger," he said.

In his exclusive The Cairns Post column today, Dowling suggests staging a tri series between the Australian indigenous squad, New Zealand Maori and a Polynesian or Pacific Island team.

The naming of an indigenous squad for a World Cup "welcome to country" match sparked the idea, one the former Brisbane Bronco, Queensland and Australian forward believed would have mass appeal.

"It’d be a marketing bonanza," he said.

 


also in
<strong>Ondrej Fojtik

Czech mates triumph

A YEAR after finishing runner-up, Czech rider Ondrej Fojtik strode the Cape Tribulation beach in triumph secure in the knowledge the 2008 Crocodile Trophy was his. more

<strong>Natural flair: </strong> Rhian Phineasa hits top gear during a Crusaders training run yesterday ahead of the carnival.

Crusaders launch challenge

EARLIER this week, Crusaders coach Laura Martin felt like she had just tipped out the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle with little time to complete the picture on the front of the box. more

<strong>Paul Sapelli

Razorbacks to stay put

THE North Queensland Razorbacks' star contingent of Cairns players has ruled out linking with the FNQ Bulls in next year's Queensland State League soccer premiership. more

<strong>On a roll: </strong>Edmonton’s Frank Grainer’s aims for the jack.

Crema rises to top

It was a case of Crema rising to the top for the second year running in a drama-charged final round of the Marlin Coast Classic Fours event at the Marlin Bowls Club. more

<strong>Tough night: </strong>Taipan Scott Cook (left) threatens the Hawks’ defence last night.

Hawks swoop on Taipans

THE Cairns Taipans will continue to tinker with their spluttering offence after giving up an 11-point fourth-quarter lead to lose 101-93 in Wollongong last night. more



Print this story Privacy policy