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Scott Sheppard
Dead set in the fair dinkum department, I’m sick of hearing the fans and journos telling me Rugby League is in suffering. The fans are selfish and not thinking about how the important people feel about it – the players – specifically me, Scotty Sheppard.
So here is how it is:
Video Referee
Fans have been complaining about the Video Ref ever since it introduced back in ‘99. As a player (and a high profile one at that) you need confidence to get the best out of your abilities. Being at half back, I need to have the confidence to boss everyone around. Nothing could give a player more confidence than seeing yourself on a 10 foot screen in front of 20,000 people and knowing full well that millions more are watching you at home. It is particularly self-assuring when you do something freakish that no one has seen before. Best feeling ever. Besides, the video ref gives you a breather. I don’t see the fans running around, giving a 100% for the full 80 minutes in the stands while us players on the field boo them for being bludgers. There wouldn’t even be enough room in the stands for fans to run around, plus hot dog stands would get kicked over. So like I said, I don’t see that happening.
Player Drain
Hodgo, Bedsy, Gaz, SBW just to name a few – all gone. Marque players all leaving our shores to play elsewhere. The biggest problem in our game at the moment. Here’s some free advice from the Shep-meister. WHO CARES! Scotty Sheppard is still here. Every sport only needs a few big name blokes to keep it going. League has more than enough. You’ve got myself, Lockyer, Inglis, Civoniceva, Slater, Marshall, Bowen, Thurston and Foi Foi Moi Moi. Just relax; you will still be able to watch these guys play. If I’m wrong and they all leave, I’m sure some pay TV channels will televise their games but.
So why are these superstars pissing off? A thousand reasons.
1. Fishbowl existence.
Sonny Bill used it as an excuse, so did Joey Johns. Am I missing something here? Living in and playing for Wollongong, I know how full-on it can get, constantly being recognised and not having time to myself. It’s full-on awesome! Everyone knows who you are. I haven’t had to say my name when being introduced to someone in 6 years. They know who I am and they respect me. Sure, you get the odd clingy kid in a wheelchair that follows you around for a day, or an ugly chick that won’t stop talking to you because she reckons you went to school with her brother; but seriously, the PERKS! You get free shit all the time, women adore you, blokes want to be you. When you’re out on the town you can do whatever you want because you are a footy player and you’re physically bigger than everyone else in the room. You could get away with murder. So tell me again SBW, how is a living in a fishbowl a bad thing?
2. Salary Cap
I agree with Sonny Bill and others on this issue. Do away with the salary cap. It should be free reign on how much players can earn. Honestly, I think I’m worth more than I am getting from my club. Some weeks I feel like I’m holding the Wildcats on my shoulders. I love the Wildcats but. I wouldn’t play for any other club. I’m comfortable and grateful for the 71% of the team’s available funds that I am earning. It makes me feel wanted. But the fact is I could have more if there was no cap.
3. Increasing the Pie
Journos and officials say there isn’t enough money coming out of the game and we should again expand the competition to Perth and Adelaide. From what I know, those towns are dumps. The Western Reds won’t work because their mascot was a red Kangaroo and you can’t have that cause that’s the National team mascot! Whose bright idea was that? Adelaide Rams can’t come back because their colours are too similar to the Wildcats and the Newcastle Knights. Do they think no one will notice this stuff?!
I reckon there is plenty of money anyway. I was chatting with me mate Willy Mason and he reckons David “Horse” Gallop and other officials get paid like Kings without even strapping on a boot. It’s easy to turn up to an office every day in a suit and punch some numbers. “Look at me I’m David Gallop. Close competition this. Legal ramifications that.” Easy. Us players are the ones doing all the work. We are the product, which brings me to my next point.
4. Players Benefits
A minor solution to get more money to players has been raised around Rugby League circles. Players should get percentages of merchandise and memorabilia. If I had a dollar for every jersey I signed, I’d be richer than David Gallop. If that means I have to make a kid pay $5 before I take a picture with him, or I get a tenner off a chick before I sign her boob, that’s fine with me.
Scott “The Sheppard” Sheppard has plenty more words of wisdom but you’ll have to wait, ay. I’m going to the Cross to get slaughtered tonight. If you’re reading, don’t worry coach, I’ll be right for pre-season tomorrow.