I wrote last week about Channel 9’s woeful conduct in its attempted stewardship of the game of rugby league in this country.

If you need any further convincing just have a look at the draw that Channel 9 has set for this week. The following games will be played on host broadcaster:

Storm v Rabbitohs
Eels v Tigers
Broncos v Dragons

Any fan of the NRL will be able to tell you that two of those games have combatants that have no hope of making the finals. None of the Eels, Tigers, Bronco nor Dragons can make the finals yet when Channel 9 set the draw only weeks ago they deigned these games more important than the following fixtures all of which involve teams either BOTH in the top 8 or on the precipice of it:

Roosters v Raiders
Sharks v Knights
Sea Eagles v Warriors

To say that Channel 9 is failing in its stewardship of the game because of its steadfast failure to play the teams actually in the running for the finals during its air time would be an understatement. Surely the fans want to see the best teams and teams competing for the NRL trophy rather than the 14th, 15th and 16th placed teams who have no way of making the finals. Or am I barking up the wrong tree?