Rugby league enters its next chapter with a welcome shift in dynamics: relative stability off the field, and who would freakin’ know on it? Of course, many stakeholders would sneer at that suggestion. Junior footy isn’t receiving enough funds; bush footy’s on its knees; TV’s influence is ubiquitous and unhealthy; and don’t even start about the paranoia over News Ltd still owning half of the NRL …

Nevertheless, the code has every reason to stop the self-loathing, at least to some extent. This season heralds a second Friday night game and the return of Monday night football. And a new team on the Gold Coast. Significantly, rugby league’s at ease with itself. Banner headlines that would have the chief execs of other codes rolled into the foetal position don’t raise an eyebrow at NRL headquarters. It wears drama like an old pair of Dunlop Volleys.

Um, we’re not entirely sure how we got here, but it’s clear as we approach the game’s centenary in 2008 that rugby league’s as happy as a pig in mud. Let’s see if it can stay there. Predictions? The salary cap and a long season have made those tough for several years. But this season it’s … well, ridiculous.

The introduction of the Gold Coast sucked players out of rival clubs and created a tsunami of player movement that only stopped in January, when the Titans allowed winger Steve Turner to stay at Melbourne. Then there’s the coaching merry-go-round: eight clubs have new men in charge. We’ll have to wait until Easter to learn how teams intend playing it this season. So should I book the next flight to Rio now, Graem? Yep, sure, no worries … I’ll file my story before the end of the day …

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