Jamie Soward’s ‘bush footy’ fears for NRLW

Murray Wenzel | September 25, 2022

Jamie Soward has expressed fears the expanding NRLW could resemble “bush footy” next season when four new teams create a contract frenzy.

The St George Illawarra coach was lamenting a 30-6 semi-final loss to last season’s winless wooden spooners Newcastle on Sunday when he forecast some “unrealistic numbers (being) thrown around for young players”.

“Everyone needs to take a breath and as best we can work together, player managers and clubs,” he said ahead of the next contracting period. 

“If it gets messy and we start throwing unrealistic money around you’re not really growing the game.

“You’re just trying to buy a competition and it turns into bush footy.”

He said the addition of the Dolphins in the NRL had already shown it to be the case.

“And we’ve got four (new teams),” he said.

“I want them to earn as much money as they can, but how can we compete (if) a new club comes in and offers double, ’cause they’re selling the dream.

“There’s going to be a lot of money splashed around and you’ve got to be smart with it.”

The importance of recruitment was on show at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday when Newcastle’s Brisbane imports Tamika Upton and Millie Boyle powered their side into the decider.

Soward retained 17 of his squad this season and hopes to lure back star fullback and Olympic rugby sevens champion Emma Tonegato.

“Em’s a huge part … we’ll let the dust settle, but she’ll probably be first cab off the rank,” he said.

With the Dragons trailing 12-6, Tonegato was denied a try that proved a turning point, Soward adamant the bunker’s decision to reverse it due to a knock-on was incorrect.

“It was a try. She still had her finger on it,” he said of the incident.

“It changes the game … in the (coaching) box it was a try for four minutes then it wasn’t for the next three. They kept looking at it and found a reason not to give it.”