A Dally M boycott "has been averted" after the National Rugby League agreed to give the players "a seat on the competition rules committee and an extra week of annual leave," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Rugby League Players' Association and the governing body "made headway on a number of key issues during productive talks on Wednesday." The RLPA had been pushing for an "extension in annual leave" from six weeks to eight, the latter figure "falling in line with their counterparts" in the Australian Football League. The parties, negotiating as part of a mid-stream review of the current collective bargaining agreement, "both conceded ground and agreed to seven weeks off per year." Another "breakthrough moment" occurred when the NRL agreed to a request to allow a current player, who is yet to be appointed, to join the competition review committee. Coaches are already represented on the committee. RLPA General President Clint Newton said, "Wherever there is negotiation, there needs to be compromise" (SMH, 9/23).
