I absolutely agree that it would strengthen their case immeasurably if they were stating what they did want to happen, as opposed to complaining (however justifiably) about what they don't want to happen.

I'm broadly supportive of the competent, financially viable clubs taking the initiative. I do think far too many RFL initiatives since Lewis lost interest have originated with the smaller chaotic clubs, and have been designed for their benefit. Certainly the proposed bizarre split league system and the abandonment of licensing look better and better the further down the table and into the championship you go. I think Nigel Wood has been a significant step backwards since Lewis, who had the heft and nouse to deal effectively with clubs, government and sponsors. No offence, but I wouldn't want Nigel going in to negotiate on my behalf in any deal which I was dependent upon.

So I'm up for a shake-out, and also up for the top clubs to punch their weight a bit more - especially as we have, in Lenegan and McManus, two serious guys of a quality all too rare in League. However, as you say, they need to put their cards on the table if they're not to be dismissed as simply having a hissy fit.

The game is now reaping what Lewis sowed. Like many 'managers' he made changes that looked great short term and got out before the emperor's new clothes were exposed.

After listening to Ian Lenagan on Sunday night, the SL chairmen know exactly what they want, how they want it and when they get it how to run it.
After Wood and Rimmer running the game, Lenagan, McManus, Davy, Hughes, Pearson etc are far better equipped business wise to take the game forward than that bunch now in charge at the RFL.

Then that's a good thing, right?

Afterall, you [irelentlessly[/i ram down our throats how much better things were pre super league when it was semi professional. You quote attendance figures for internationals and CC and show how they've decreased. You talk about how the week in week out games and CC have been devalued. You talk about how much worse off england/gb are and how much more competitve they were pre super league.

Right?

given SL got handed its viewing figures by darts this summer, I doubt I'd be doing anything of the sort.

What might be happening is an attempt to get SKY involved in the "running/ownership" of the sport more.

So having SL people running the RFL is good for the game as a whole? No, if they want to go it alone let them but outside of the RFL without all the support structures and finances paid to the RFL.

Agreed.....Let SL split away and manage itself....let the RFL deal with internationals and the rest of the domestic game, but I suspect if you want to see the best English players playing for England, then the SL group will push for some form of centrally funded contracts.

I couldn't disagree more. Before Lewis we were in just the same sort of drifting mess we are in now. Lewis came in, provided direction, purpose and a long-term plan. He turned round a massive deficit into a healthy profit, and left the game far healthier than when he arrived. I don't think it's unconnected in any way that the deterioration we've seen in the health of the game has coincided with his move out of the game and replacement with a more "traditional" RL type in Nigel Wood.

Government funding

Agreed, although how much of a say did Lewis have in the stobart deal, or had he gone by then????

Yeh that'll work! RL really prospered in Australia under news ltd rule!

In amongst all of this, I've renewed my season ticket for me and my lad for next season. Why? Because I've supported Fax for nigh on 40 years and no tinkering with the league structure will change that. Whilst 17 blokes wear the blue 'n' white, I'll be there to cheer them on - whatever league they're playing in.

You like to defend a dysfunctional organisation? hmmmm