OPINION

THIS is a joke.

The merits of Anthony Mundine’s desperate NRL comeback attempt should not be up for debate — but they are.

The 40-year-old has declared he plans to become the oldest Australian first-grade rugby league player in recorded history — and claims St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust contacted him about his availability.

For perhaps the first time since he deserted the Dragons in the middle of the 2000 season, Mundine’s NRL declaration has blurred the lines between traditional Mundine supporters and Mundine knockers.

Some supporters are worried about The Man cheapening his legacy if his comeback bid crashes and burns. Some knockers want to see him make a fist of it so they can witness the crashing and burning.

Before you make up your mind on this bizarre sideshow, weigh up the impact Mundine’s return would have on the greatest game of all.

WHY THE MAN SHOULD RETURN

1. THE MOST CAPTIVATING STORY SINCE JARRYD HAYNE

EVEN the staunchest of Mundine critics would admit the return of one of the most controversial figures the game has seen would immediately capture the imagination of fans. It’s not exactly Jarryd Hayne moving to the NFL or Israel Folau at the Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies, but even taking the first step towards a new sport would reinvigorate the interests of fans who tuned out a long time ago.

2. HUGE SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS

MUNDINE will never be a superstar in the NRL. The Man played three State of Origin matches in 1999 and played in three grand finals, including the Broncos’ 1997 Super League triumph, but no player has ever dominated the game at his age. Nobody has ever played the game at his age. He’s never going to attract a big-money offer from an NRL team. Where he can clean up is in sponsorship roles and advertising. Being seen every week in the NRL instead of a couple of times a year in the ring on a Main Event pay-per-view, suddenly makes Mundine much more visible and much more attractive as a potential brand ambassador. A return to the NRL also opens a lot of doors for Mundine’s employment options in retirement through media and corporate partnerships.

3. A WELCOME DISTRACTION

MUNDINE wants to return to the Dragons — the team he abandoned in 2000. It is a partnership that works. Just as Hayne was touted in San Francisco as a welcome distraction during a season of misery, Mundine can be the feel-good story that eases the pressure on a team that doesn’t look like going anywhere in the immediate future.

4. PROVE YOU’RE THE BEST SINCE BO

MUNDINE famously shared a long-running war of words with The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kent, which peaked in 2013 when Mundine declared no athlete has ever “conquered two sports like I did”. Kent immediately replied by dropping the name of American baseball and NFL star Bo Jackson. The Man has no claim to be anywhere near mentioning in the debate of the greatest athletes of all time — but returning to the NRL as a 40-year-old would certainly strengthen his evidence.

5. FANS GET TO SEE MUNDINE GET WALLOPED

FANS would finally get a chance to see Mundine get smashed by the likes of Dylan Napa and David Klemmer. On top of this gift of guaranteed carnage, the damage to Mundine’s ego would be a nice little cherry on top for those hoping to see Mundine humbled into retirement.

WHY THE MAN SHOULD NOT RETURN

1. MUNDINE DOESN’T DESERVE TO BE TAKEN BACK

ANTHONY Mundine is hardly the NRL’s prodigal son. He deserted the Dragons in the middle of the season (and the middle of a contract) and insulted some of the most respected figures in the game, including Laurie Daley and Arthur Beetson, with accusations of being “Uncle Tom’s”. Now that he has nowhere else to turn, he wants to be embraced by fans like it’s some kind of fairytale story. He spat on the game. Fans do not forget things like that. This is the final shameful act of a man who has nowhere else to turn.

2. THERE ARE OTHER PLAYERS ON THE FIELD

NO sport has more drama and more unbelievable plot lines than rugby league — it’s the sport’s greatest strength and greatest weakness. Mundine, deservedly so, would hijack public attention away from teams and players deserving of recognition for their on-field performances. It has all the makings of an Israel Folau-GWS Giants sideshow.

3. THE GAME LOSES ITS PRESTIGE

HOW can rugby league justify its reputation as the toughest sport in the world when an old man can become a professional player in the space of 12 months after not picking up a Steeden for 16 years? You might want to see Mundine return for the chance to see him dominate or be obliterated, but remember how cheap the game looks if gimmicks like this are validated. This is a trainwreck you must try and look away from.

4. THE GAME HAS CHANGED

THERE is legitimate reason to believe Mundine is at risk of serious harm if he ever makes it onto the training field against players 40kg heavier than him. In November last year, Mundine weighed in at 69.84kg before his fight against Charles Hatley. That number is only slightly more than half the weight of the biggest players in the NRL. The game has changed. Even wingers and fullbacks tip the scales at more than 105kg now. The game Mundine knew 15 years ago doesn’t exist any more. Players are bigger, faster, stronger and Mundine’s been left behind.

5. THE DANNY GREEN FIGHT IS DONE

MUNDINE wants to fight Danny Green and win a contract with an NRL team for 2017. He can’t have it both ways. Sonny Bill Williams could pull off the balancing act of fighting during the off-season and returning for pre-season training later than teammates — but he is obviously a special case. Mundine is 40 years old. The interest in the Mundine-Green re-match deteriorates every day he and 43-year-old Green age.