By comparison, in Australia ratings and crowds may not be as poor as some have suggested but they have stagnated. The Sydney market is more cosmopolitan and choosy than at any time since 1908 and there is frankly an oversupply of matches each winter.

An oversupply of matches probably means an oversupply of clubs. If we are determined to keep the same number of clubs, perhaps we need to do what `80s rock bands do and play together on the same bill, with more double-headers and festival events in Sydney, to increase attendances and profit margins.

And of course, there is a good prospect – no, an imperative – to stage more events in new areas, given that American and European sports are increasing their presence in our backyard. We either get on board the globalisation express or allow those sports to marginalise us further with each passing year.

The merger with touch football is yet to bear fruit, even if rugby league's numbers in Australia shot up – technically – by a million in one swoop. Perhaps a summer Nines circuit featuring recently retired players and rookies could do more to bring the sports closer, although the one thing separating them – tackling – is a rather big hurdle.

Discord believes the NRL should actually consider using its $1.025 billion TV money (the next deal will be much, much more despite the challenges) in a rather daring way. I'd like to see rugby league in Australia buy a stake in rugby union.