It has been derided as a $2 million lemon, but the real cost of the bunker is far greater than that.
We can reveal the NRL has spent $3.2 million to set up the much-maligned Central Command Centre, which has come under fire after a series of dubious decisions in its inaugural season. Rugby League Central has a five-year lease arrangement for the facility at Eveleigh, which has been created by broadcast solution provider NEP and uses Hawk-Eye Innovations to provide the video review technology via Telstra. The costs are significantly higher than original estimates and it remains to be seen if the results are worth it.
The bunker has come under intense criticism after a series of controversial calls, although the technology itself has worked smoothly. The issue remains the interpretations of the rules and inconsistencies around when the bunker is referred to. After players and coaches launched a series of tirades about its use, the NRL came out with an edict banning them from commenting on the bunker.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler chose his words carefully when asked about the bunker during his weekly press conference, saying: "You talk about the word inconsistent.
"The technology is there, the interpretation is probably the biggest issue and that's all I'm going to say about that."
Hasler's sentiments reflect the feelings of the majority of coaches and players in the wider league community.
NRL officials hope that, as the season progresses, the teething problems will be worked out and the bunker will justify its expense.
ENNIS EXTENSION
Cronulla has opened discussions with the management of Michael Ennis about extending his stay in the Shire.
The Sharks have an option on Ennis' services for next season and are keen to keep the veteran hooker on their books. The former Blues dummy half turned 32 this year but has shown no signs of slowing down, reproducing the form that earned him Dally M hooker of the year honours in 2015. The parties have officially begun talks and it is hoped they can come to an agreement soon.
COOTE ON CUSP
Lachlan Coote was poised to be picked at five-eighth for the City side, although an injury to James Tedesco - and North Queensland's reluctance to allow him to play in the annual City-Country clash - could thwart his chances of being a shock Blues pivot.
Origin blues: Cowboys custodian Lachlan Coote has been in fine form. Photo: Cameron Spencer
The NSW No.6 jersey is James Maloney's to lose after a strong start to his Cronulla career. However, City coach Brad Fittler was giving serious consideration to naming Coote at five-eighth in a pointer towards a potential shock Origin halves call-up. Tedesco's injury means it is more likely he will play representative football at his customary fullback position, although the Cowboys aren't keen for him to play in the City-Country clash.
The latest injury setback is a cruel one for Tedesco, as he was a strong chance of making his Origin debut. The Tamworth event will also feature four sectors of rugby league's inclusion program, including clashes in wheelchair league, Push and Power League, physical disability league and intellectual disability league over the weekend.
THE NEW ORDER
There will be plenty of familiar names when the Junior Kangaroos squad is released on Sunday afternoon. Nathan Cleary, the son of former Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, is pencilled in as the five-eighth and his halves partner is set to be Lachlan Croker, the nephew of former Raider Jason.
The family theme continues with Robert Jennings, the younger brother of Parramatta international Michael, poised to be picked in the centres. Other familiar names likely to be called up are Roosters utility Jayden Nikorima at hooker and Gold Coast's John Olive on the wing. The clash with the Junior Kiwis is also a chance for most footy fans to see for the first time Melbourne's promising young three-quarter Curtis Scott.
Rep call-up: Jayden Nikorima will turn out for the Junior Kangaroos. Photo: Matt King
NEVER FORGOTTEN
The NRL certainly does an outstanding job of properly honouring the fallen during its Anzac Day games. Unlike its AFL counterparts, Rugby League Central plays both the Australian and New Zealand anthems before matches, ensuring men on both sides of the ditch are properly commemorated.
TOSSER FINED
The man who threw a glass bottle at the Canberra bench during the clash against Canterbury at Belmore Oval has copped a $600 fine.
Jamie Kelly earned a conviction after pleading guilty to behaving in an offensive manner in a public place at Parramatta local court during the week. Kelly has been ordered to attend counselling for alcohol abuse.
SONS ALSO RISE
History was made on Saturday night if the Roosters side ran out as named in the Big League program.
There were no fewer than five players - Mitchell Pearce, Jackson Hastings, Ryan Matterson, Dylan Napa and Kane Evans - whose fathers had also played first grade. It marks just the third time in NRL history that this has happened.
The feat was also achieved when the 2003 Roosters side of Ryan Cross, Eric Grothe jnr, Brett Finch and Craig Fitzgibbon played together in rounds 14 and 16. While Brett Finch, Eric Grothe Jnr, Joel Reddy, Daniel Mortimer and Jarryd Hayne were at the Eels together in 2009, Finch left the Eels after four rounds and Mortimer did not make his debut until round 12, so those five never played together.
NT BACKS EELS
Parramatta's dramas haven't scared off powerbrokers in the Top End, with the Northern Territory government looking to extend its association with the embattled club.
The NT government last year threatened to rip up its $4 million sponsorship with the Eels over concerns their constant dramas could reflect badly on the Top End.
However, NT Chief Minister Adam Giles said talks were under way to extend a deal that would ensure at least one NRL game a season remained in the region.
"We'll be endeavouring to support the Eels and endeavouring to extend our deal," Giles said.
"It's a four-year deal that expires at the end of next year, but we're in the middle of negotiating an extension now.
"We're happy with the partnership with rugby league and Parramatta."
Given the Eels will be displaced while Pirtek Stadium is being rebuilt, the club may consider taking additional matches to the Northern Territory.
PEARCE WALKS LINE
Mitchell Pearce has been diligent in looking after his mental health during his sabbatical. After returning from rehab at The Cabin in Thailand, he has been visiting the facility's Sydney affiliate in Edgecliff up to four times a week. After almost being rubbed out of the game for his Australia Day antics, Pearce has used his time on the sidelines to consider how he will spend his life after football.
LYON HEARTED
He deserves a bit of pomp and ceremony, but there was nothing more fitting than the way Jamie Lyon announced his retirement. Lyon revealed his glittering 17-season career had come to an end in the most understated way, during a routine media session at Narrabeen.
It says a lot about the country boy that he rates his premiership win with Wee Waa during his NRL sabbatical up there with his two grand final wins at Manly. One of our favourite Jamie Lyon stories was the call he got from then St Helens coach Ian Millward just after he helped guide the Wee Waa Panthers to premiership glory over the Moree Boars.
Thank God he's a country boy: Retiring Manly skipper Jamie Lyon. Photo: Mark Kolbe
Millward, wanting to ensure his prize signing had emerged unscathed from the match, was horrified when the former Parramatta centre told him he was sitting on the roof of the local pub drinking beer.
"And when we finish here, we're going on a pub crawl," Lyon said, before adding: "This won't be the last roof we'll be drinking on."
Fearing it could get very messy indeed, Millward asked how many pubs there were in Wee Waa.
He hung up the phone breathing easier after Lyon responded: "Two."
"That's a true story," Lyon said during the week.
"We had quite a few beers after we won that. That was a big occasion for the local town. That was another highlight of my career, a lot of old guys came out of retirement. In such a little town, it meant a lot."
DAY TO REMEMBER
Samantha Delmege, the wife of former Manly co-owner Max Delmege, has been named the 2015 bride of the year by True Bride. Mrs Delmege took out the award ahead of 18 other finalists after polling the most votes.
