ISN'T it remarkable how a sense of deja vu surrounds recent events in rugby league, even though these are supposed to be unprecedented times?
Toohey's News: Listen to Barry Toohey's new podcast in your Podcast app
The coronavirus crisis, of course, is uncharted territory for all of us, and to use the words of NRL chairman Peter V'Landys it has been a "catastrophic" setback that has blindsided the 13-man code.
At the same time, it has been a stark reminder of who really controls the game - media networks Nine and Newscorp - and how desperate they are to protect their own interests.
For journalists who covered the Super League war of 1995-97, there is an uncanny feeling of history repeating itself.
A quarter of a century ago, it was billionaires Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch battling to command rugby league, like two old dogs with their eyes on the same bone. In the end, after spending hundreds of millions of dollars, they reached an uneasy truce and shared broadcasting rights.
Nine continued showing two or three club games each week on free-to-air, plus play-offs and State of Origin. Newscorp snared the pay-TV market and expanded to the point where it was showing virtually every game of elite-level rugby league live, every week.
Given the two organisations combined to stump up consecutive NRL broadcasting deals worth $1.025 billion and $1.8 billion (both over five years), it seemed fair to assume both were happy with the arrangement.
But if the broadside Nine fired at NRL management last week was not a declaration of war, it was at the very least a signal of their intentions.
Nine have certainly made little effort to deny their preferred outcome is that the NRL season, currently suspended, is written off. Indeed, Nine CEO Hugh Marks has reportedly made public comments indicating such a scenario would represent a $130 million saving for his company.
In complete contrast, all the commentary from Newscorp has been supportive of V'Landys and his unlikely quest to get the NRL season up and running again on May 28.
Initially, the concept of quarantining all 16 NRL clubs - more than 500 people, including players and staff - in isolation 'bubbles" received saturation coverage.
Sure, it meant they wouldn't see their wives and kids, or any members of the general public, for months at a time, but the majority of players seemed willing to make such a sacrifice if it is what was required to receive their wages.
Last week, however, this was not surprisingly discarded in the too-hard basket, at which point the plan reverted to playing games in empty stadiums and allowing players to return to their families at the end of each day's training.
All of which would apparently require exemption from social-distancing regulations, given that rugby league training sessions and games require dozens of people in close proximity, repeatedly making physical contact.
All of which, it seems, would also need the authorities to turn a blind eye to the potential of a player contracting COVID-19 from his partner, his children ... or while using a petrol pump at the servo.
Funnily enough, to this point, I have not heard one definitive endorsement from any person in authority.
The most enthusiastic advocate has been NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, who would appear so far down the chain of command that I can't believe anyone bothers quoting him.
His superiors, presumably, know full well that to approve an NRL resumption would prompt a flood of requests from other sporting codes eager to follow suit.
Yet Newscorp/Foxtel continues banging this drum, as though it's a fait accompli.
And with regards to Nine's reticence, Newscorp columnists reckon this is because Nine (a) have the rights to the T20 cricket World Cup later in the year, and (b) might be trying to leverage the NRL to renegotiate a better deal.
Perhaps ... but just consider a conspiracy theory.
It is seemingly no skin off Nine's nose if they broadcast the NRL or not. They don't appear desperate to televise a half-arsed competition played in empty stadiums, or certainly not at the price they negotiated a couple of years ago.
For Foxtel, on the other hand, things appear to be getting a tad desperate.
Last year, Foxtel posted a $306 million loss. In the past month or so, they have made hundreds of staff redundant and stood down many more down until at least June 30.
Given there is virtually no live sport, and that for people who are out of work suddenly every dollar is important, it would seem fair to assume Foxtel are facing an exodus of subscribers.
Hence it's hard not to reach the conclusion that Newscorp have a vested interest in putting a positive spin on the prospects of the NRL season re-starting.
While ever that remains a possibility, NRL fans might delay making the phone call to cancel their Foxtel subscription.
Nine, meanwhile, might well be entitled to view this hiatus as an advantageous opportunity.
The longer the season is on hold, the more blood one of their main competitors will shed. Foxtel has never appeared so vulnerable.
Ruthless? Maybe so, but it's hard to imagine anyone who remembers Super League shedding a tear for poor old Rupert Murdoch.
IN THE NEWS:
- Ardent Oceania recovers 13 more shipping containers in busy week off Hunter coast
- Toohey's News, The Podcast Episode 06: Newcastle Knights legend Marc Glanville
- Call for more caution on shared paths after bike-pedestrian crash at Lake Macquarie
- Newcastle salon owner and Australian Hairdressing Council boss Sandy Chong calls for hair industry to be shut down
- Together, not alone: Caves Beach business Sirron Holdings Group diverts production to stay alive
