26/11/2009 11:36 AM
While giving no guarantees rugby league won't run into more unwanted headlines in 2010, NRL boss David Gallop is confident the code is moving in the right direction when it comes to policing off-field behaviour.
The NRL has been consistent in its view that player discipline is the clubs' domain, with the governing body only stepping in if it considers the penalty does not fit the crime.
The NRL's stance has been backed by senior NFL administrator Gene Washington, who gave the keynote address at this week's NRL conference.
"Two key take-outs from Gene's presentation were that no two situations are the same, everything needs to be looked at in its own particular light," Gallop said.
"And secondly that, if you're going to get this issue under control, then it needs to start at club level. That's where the rubber hits the road."
Washington, a former San Francisco 49er who is no stranger to rugby league after watching the 1980 State of Origin game in LA, believes the NRL is on the right track.
"I think they're doing everything right," he said.
"The things that work at home are the things that they're doing here."
Washington is also a believer in clubs being held responsible should they sign a player with a poor off-field record who then re-offends.
The American's address to NRL chief executives and coaches coincided with Greg Bird's acquittal on a reckless wounding conviction.
It paves the way for the former Sharks star to return to the NRL next year, most likely with the Gold Coast Titans.
"A coach might say 'I want this guy, I think we can work with him but I'm going to make sure there's some resources over here to do that'," Washington said.
Gallop acknowledged that whatever steps the NRL puts in place, eliminating off-field drama was virtually impossible.
"I'm not confident that we'll have an incident-free year, any year," he said.
"You always hope to have a better year but I'm just being realistic."
"With hundreds of young men we are bound to have young guys make mistakes but it's important that we demonstrate a resolve to get on top of those issues when they do occur, to continue to promote our education programs."
"That's what will give fans and our sponsors and our broadcaster confidence in our game."