NRL players could potentially boycott the Dally M Medal ceremony, with the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations putting the game's biggest night in jeopardy.
The recent RLPA media boycott has dominated discussion across the game in recent weeks, with the stars of the NRL refusing to partake in interviews with host broadcasters or journalists on game days.
Clint Newton and Andrew Abdo have consistently reaffirmed their respective stances, with the RLPA boss publicly condemning the stalled CBA talks.
The likes of Wade Graham, Daly Cherry-Evans and Aaron Woods have also spoken out about the issues, while Queeensland coach Billy Slater urged both parties to 'grow up' and come to an agreement.
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Will NRL players boycott Dally M Medal ceremony?
In a recent interview with SEN Radio, RLPA operations manager Tom Symonds was quizzed on the potenial of the players missing out on the game's biggest awards night - and his answer wasn't overly convincing.
“To be transparent, it probably is on the table,” he said.
“That’s an option on the table, along with a number of other things that players are considering. Obviously we’ve had the recent media boycott ongoing… I guess the Dally M night, we’ll have to wait and see.
“We are actually hoping for a result much sooner than Dally M night, I think that’s where Peter [V’landys] and the NRL should be focused, let’s get this CBA done and we won’t have to worry about Dally M’s.
“It comes back to what players believe is a way that they can have their voice heard or a platform to show that they really care about getting this done.
"It’s actually brought a lot more attention than we’ve probably seen on the CBA in the past two years whilst we’ve been trying to get this over the line, it’s been a long and slow process, I’d argue that it has helped shine a light on the issues."
Symonds also confirmed the RLPA are hopeful the NRL will return to negotiations with a third party mediator involved in the coming weeks.
RLPA media boycott: What does the ban mean for the NRL?
The parties have been unable to reach an agreement on a new CBA for more than 18 months, with reports of a final offer from ARLC chairman Peter V’landys being rejected by the RLPA earlier in July.
From the beginning of Round 19, players have been informed to refuse to participate in any TV, radio, print and digital interviews. Players will still attend press conferences to provide content for each NRL-club based websites on a Monday and Tuesday.
The RLPA stressed how the boycott was designed to force a result in the failed CBA negotiations between the disagreeing parties.
They stated they were hopeful the move would help to deliver a complete draft of the CBA pertaining all NRL and NRLW players, which could finally be agreed upon.
“Players unanimously decided that we must take action as a result of the NRL’s rejection of our settlement proposal and their unacceptable demands of players,” a statement said.
“The unreasonable ultimatum of the ARL Commission and the NRL, and their refusal to negotiate the CBA has forced the players into action.”
