The 18th Man Column: Excitement, expectations and wage cuts

Now the fixtures are out, on a scale of one to 10, how excited are you about the return of Super League?

Alex Graham: Personally, I’m looking forward to drawing a line under the season and starting again next year.

I appreciate there’s commercial obligations to complete the season but, in an ideal world, I’d write off this year and wait for next February.

Robert Kenyon: An 8, I am excited but I prefer to watch NRL over general Super League, and Wigan over the NRL.

The rule changes in the NRL and lack of cohesion in defence due to not training made for far more entertaining games when the NRL kicked off, so I’m hoping for the same to happen in Super League, especially the ‘six again’ rule so the ref’ isn’t stopping for a penalty for infringements, just letting the game flow.

Jon Lyon: I cannot wait, I’m even more excited than I was hearing John Bateman is coming home.

It’s obviously a shame we’re not able to watch the games at the stadium, but hopefully that’s not too far away.

With all the stresses of “real” life, job worries, family health matters, it’s such a wonderful release at the end of the week to watch the lads tear it up on the park.

How can anyone not be excited about the return of lightening quick Bevan French tearing defences apart or Tommy Leuluai dumping another huge prop on his backside with a bone-jarring hit?

Hopefully the boys can continue the good form they were in before we were so rudely interrupted.

Darren Wrudd: Obviously not as excited as many are if I am honest, I would probably give it a 6 or a 7.

I am looking forward to it of course, and have been enjoying watching the NRL over the last few weeks to get my fix.

But with the serious nature of what is going on in the UK and many parts of the world at the moment, sport seems a little insignificant overall.

Is it fair for Super League clubs to ask players to take a pay-cut for when the season resumes?

Alex Graham: Of course it’s fair. Any balance sheet will show clubs don’t make substantial profits and, taking into account the current climate has decimated matchday revenues, sponsorships and reduced TV deals, there’s little option.

I’ve no doubt most players have common sense and will be negotiating, which they’re perfectly entitled to do, but any player demanding full contract value really needs to take a look at other professional industries, and the mass redundancies significantly financially impacted companies have had to put in place.

If their expectation is for Ian Lenagan to use more of his personal finances despite already investing millions (including £500k during the current climate) then they’re simply ignorant from a business and moral point of view.

However, as already mentioned, I’m sure the vast majority of players are more understanding of the situation, and I’m sure an amicable agreement will be put in place.

Robert Kenyon: It depends. Anyone over a certain amount – say £100k – could take a deferment, but isn’t the massive loan the RFL got going to cover some of this?

Either way, I think clubs need to be proactive in this and, instead of sitting there with the begging bowl out worrying about going bust, they need to do what we have done.

For example, I had an email about joining the Wigan Lotto so I joined, I also subscribe to Wigan TV, and on top of ticket sales and memorabilia/shirts, I can’t do anymore until the season restarts.

One concept which the clubs could do is start a Covid appeal, so fans can raise money or pay a direct debit to support the club.

I know Widnes do something like this, which allows the club to spend that money on players’ wages.

If a supporter paid £10 a month and got a thank you, a little bit of stationary with the Wigan badge on or something to say thanks for being a member etc, and use that money for topping up wages due to the coronavirus crisis, I’d pay into a Super League-wide fund if I’m honest.

Jon Lyon: From a player’s point of view, not really. Clubs will be demanding a lot more from their players. They’ve had limited, interrupted training and will potentially be playing three times a week. We’ve also seen from the NRL how many serious injuries have occurred since they resumed playing. It seems two or three players every week have suffered season-ending ACL injuries. So I have some sympathy for players who are reluctant to play for a reduced wage.

That said, the economic reality is most of us across the country have been or still are on a reduced wage, or have lost jobs.

With a huge loss of income for every club, reducing players wages is the only realistic way forward. So while I feel sorry for the players, and it is unfair, if we want to save our clubs and save our sport then pay cuts are inevitable.

Darren Wrudd: So long as there is a need and the request is proportionate, I think a measured request would be acceptable and fair.

The big issue is, of course, each player’s circumstance and financial commitments. This is not football, players don’t get paid 300 grand a week, most get a good but honest wage for their efforts, and with some judicious planning can have a small investment when their career ends, which can help give them a living in a different direction. But most will have mortgages and families to feed, so it will go beyond the obvious discussions from fans and into family welfare and care.

So a request to take less could be voluntary and, if the staff member may struggle to cope, the club should honour the contract.

There’s hope limited-crowds will be allowed in stadiums from September. Do you expect to see Wigan again live this year?

Alex Graham: Depending on the format, location and how long the season will stretch out, I’d be pretty expectant to watch them live this year.

But I just can’t see there being much intensity and each fixture will feel like an exhibition.

The goal for this year will simply be for the sport to get back on track and to fulfill commercial obligations.

Unless permitted crowds will be big enough to make any decent revenue, I can’t see there being a huge emphasis on opening the gates.

Robert Kenyon: I would hope a much-reduced capacity just for season-ticket holders with no away fans allowed is the way to go, they’ll have to space the fans out well and ensure staggered entry and exit, maybe even stop alcohol, food etc sales in the concourse.

Jon Lyon: I don’t know if I expect it but I certainly hope so.

We’ve a big enough stadium that we should be able to accommodate a few thousand fans safely enough with distancing not being an issue. It’s working in the NRL so why not here?

I’m not sure how clubs will decide which of their season ticket holders will attend and which won’t, presumably it will be a different proportion each week.

That won’t be easy to organise, but if it’s possible they need to try considering most fans won’t be asking for refunds on season tickets.

It’s amazing to think how much we took the simple pleasure of going to the match every Friday for granted.

Darren Wrudd: I really cannot see me going to the stadium among any crowds if I don’t feel it is safe to do so.

Wigan fans travel from all over the country to watch the home and away games, and I am sure many other clubs have the same dedicated fan bases.

So with such widespread open contact from strangers who could be Covid-19 positive and not even know it, I fail to see how we could protect ourselves from a further outbreak and spike which could cost many lives.

The news that soon we will be required to wear face masks in shops has been met with selfish, self-centred attitudes from many, and may suggest people don’t care too much about the risk to themselves or people around them.

I see it every day and despair at the lack of empathy from many at a time when its value is worth more than ever.

So with many people still shielding from the threat of Covid-19, as I suggested back in March, the season will probably be a write off for me.

That said, I hope Sky will broadcast every game, so at least I can watch the team play each week.