Quote: ksm1701 "I'd guess that the 2017 RL World Cup performances or even scouts/player agents opinions would've been more instrumental in bringing Bateman to Canberra's attention than their chairman catching him on Sky's coverage.'"
Sky, BBC, Fox, whoever. The point I was making to RG is that TV fans are very important to the health of the sport (the Bateman reference was rather clumsy on my part). The sudden vast increase in wealth in the NRL is directly attributable to their TV deal not those who turn up every week.
Fans who turn up in all weathers whatever the level of performance they witness are to be applauded imo but not at the expense of those who prefer to watch on TV. The sport needs both.