Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) board member Wade Graham has not ruled out the possibility of players taking industrial action as the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations continue to escalate.
The Newcastle Knights are the latest club to join the NRL media boycott alongside the Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons. Furthermore, Brisbane Broncos forward Kurt Capewell said that a player strike was a last resort but was on the cards.
The main points of contention for the players were the proposal for a transfer window and the revenue share between the NRL and the players.
Graham said that everything was “on the table” if the NRL continues to stall the players over a deal that was meant to be finalised in November 2022.
“It’s quite drastic to think that games would be under threat,” Graham said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“(The media boycott) has certainly caused enough waves and ripples to show the NRL that we are still quite a distance apart.
“What we are asking for isn’t unfair and it isn’t unreasonable.
“This is the path we (the players) want to stand on and the line that we want to fight on.
“All these things (boycotts) are on the table.
“Let’s get back in that room, get those negotiations again and try to get the CBA to where it needs to be.”
Graham said that the frustrations from the players stemmed from a lack of progress in the CBA and the NRL refusing to budge certain parameters in the terms of employment.
Graham said that despite the saga being no closer to a resolution, the players have never been more united than they are now.
“COVID certainly forced the players to take a greater understanding of the position of the game and their role,” he added.
“It galvanised the whole playing group and everyone is a lot more connected now.
“It’s the most united the playing group has ever been.
“We know what we want out of it and what our expectations are of how we want to be treated and how we are treated in the workforce.”