The players’ association "flexed its muscle" in talks with the National Rugby League, with a "handful of big-name footballers descending on Rugby League Central in a show of force designed to highlight how committed they are to gaining a fixed share of the game’s revenue," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. It is understood Manly players Daly Cherry-Evans and Nate Myles along with Sydney Roosters trio Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner and Aiden Guerra "were among nine players who joined the Rugby League Players Association in fronting the NRL, as well as a group of club officials." The Rugby League Players' Association has been "pushing for a fixed share of revenue as part of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement" and it is understood Thursday’s meeting was "designed to show how committed the players were to a cause that shapes as potentially the most fractious in the negotiations." Neither side was "willing to comment" when contacted, but the players' union "always intended to involve key stars in the negotiation process so the NRL would gain a first-hand sense of the players' determination to gain a share of revenue." It "shapes as just the start as the union prepares to roll out the sport’s heaviest hitters over coming weeks and months as talks heat up." Queensland and Australian captain Cameron Smith has "already spoken out in support of the union" and joined the body’s board late last year in a move that added to the organization’s "clout" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/17).
