Sun-Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1953 - 1954), Sunday 21 March 1954, page 40


* Inflation In League

PLAYERS

MAKE BIG DEMANDS

By TOM GOODMAN

Some city Rugby League clubs still seeking reinforcements are finding players' demands beyond them.

Trafficking between Sydney

and country clubs has I caused the contract value of

players to soar. Sonne officials say that the position has already got out of hand.

They feel that part of the problem is the operation of League social clubs and supporters clubs in

country areas

Several Sydney players have transferred to country clubs at a seasons fee of £500 (twice as much as a player, other than a captaincoach, would expect in a season with an average club in Sydney) plus a job and generous assistance in finding suitable accommodation

I have heard of several city players, some of them not yet experienced being signed on for £400 or 400, with the extras

Some of the contracts have come from compara-lively small towns.

One lad, whose Sydney football was practically confined to lower grades, is getting

£16 a week to play in the bush "

Specialists, particularly backers and half backs, are becoming "princes' in the game Sydney clubs have been embarrassed by the demands of "specialists," in cluding youngsters, whom they approached

Major factors in the development have been

Economic conditions which inevitably brought some increase in playing

rates

Claims by some Sydney

club committees that by I

raising fees they would discourage leading players from going to English clubs if the poaching ban is lifted this year.

The challenge by country districts, especially the South Coast and the Riverina, backed by social clubs and "supporters' clubs."

The inroads upon city strength made by country clubs has been by far the most important result.

Stars Bought

On the South Coast the Illawarra Leagues' Club at Wollongong, a social club not to be confused with the Illawarra District Rugby League which controls the football, enticed 1952-3 Kangaroos Carlson, Wells, and Donohoe, as well as other prominent players, to play with the district clubs this year.

Another area secured a 1952-3 Kangaroo, Tom Ryan-for £500 and a job.

In Group Nine (River-area), where the Maher Cup has long been (he trophy of battle, the old system of only one paid player in a club has long been

broken.

Supporters' clubs have provided the funds. Great Interest

Sydney club officials complain that because the money used by many country clubs to purchase players is not coming out of football, a false and unfair position has been created.

But the secretary of the Country Rugby League, Mr. Dudley Locke, whose headquarters are on the South Coast, says:

"There has never before been such interest at this stage of the season in Illawarra League football.

"I believe that our standard of football on the South Coast will be higher than ever before.

"The Illawarra Leagues' Club will have played an important part.

In Sydney the most spectacular effort at rebuilding and at offsetting the country's inroads has been made by Parramatta club, which was weak last year.

Parramatta has spent more than £1,500 in signing-on new players. It set an interstate rate of £600 for the season when it secured Brisbane Kangaroo lock forward "Mick" Crocker. It also found him a job.

It got another Kangaroo,

front-row forward Charlie Gill, from Newcastle for a £500 fee, as player

coach. J

Parramatta club appealed for public support in a vigorous drive to lift the

club out of the rut.

As a result, more than

£1,000 was received in i donations, and this formed

the basis of the fund to "import" players.

Some Overpaid

Officials of some Sydney clubs declare that the position is getting beyond them.

In Sydney the playercoach is usually given double the player's bonus. A few other players are similarly recognised, or are guaranteed a sum by mutual agreement.

The public will agree that some rank and file Saturday afternoon players in Sydney in recent years have been over-paid.

But these players, as well as the stars, will continue to get extra benefits. Some of the extra admission charges for Test matches will be worked back to the firstgrade players, for the N.S.W. Rugby League annually makes a disbursement to the district clubs and the players get much of it.

St. George has started a social club. But many district clubs frown upon the idea of a supporters' club operating in a big way. That could mean irritating interference, they say.