MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: NRL has to face the reality of the PNG Chiefs’ resort life

I’m 194cm, weigh 114kg, played more than 200 games in the toughest position in the most brutal game on the planet and worked as a bodyguard. Yet, during a recent trip to Papua New Guinea, I was told to stay in my hotel room and not venture out unless I was with a driver.

I was in Port Moresby for a speaking gig ahead of Origin III and can honestly say I was on edge a little after being given that advice.

That’s nothing against the people, who were wonderful and welcoming and showered me with respect and love.

We all know rugby league is a religion there and anyone connected with the game will be treated like royalty.

But it did get me thinking about the NRL pioneers who will start to head over to PNG in 12 months’ time to start preparing for the Chiefs’ entry into the competition in 2028.

I know the players and their partners will be housed at the luxurious Airways resort and have been promised the world by the new club.

And the tax-free dollars that will balloon players’ bank accounts overnight is not unattractive.

But it’s the everyday freedoms we take for granted here in Australia – like being able to leave your hotel room to walk to the shops – that could cause some problems.

Phil Gould touched on that very subject last week when he asked some very relevant and important questions of Chiefs football manager Michael Chammas on 100% Footy.

The great Gus peppered Chammas with the following:

Q: What sort of lifestyle can they expect living in that accommodation in Port Moresby?

Q: Food production in PNG is not prevalent. Who funds the food for their shopping and all the things they need and require to look after themselves while self-contained?

Q: (What about) Schools? Medical? Hospitals?

Q: When you’re in season and the players are going off to play in Melbourne, New Zealand and are away two or three days, what are the families doing? Are they still back in Port Moresby and who’s looking after them? The fellas are away playing football but it’s a different life for them (the families).

I know Phil’s line of questioning had a touch of ulterior motive about because he’s in a dogfight – no pun intended – to retain and recruit players in the face of PNG’s aggressive entry into the player market.

And, to his credit, Chammas answered the questions with respect, clarity and a genuine belief all will be well.

But there are no guarantees.

Canberra’s Hudson Young – the subject of a record offer from his club – is wrestling with that very dilemma right now as the Chiefs prepare to make a play for him.

No one will really know how this unique sporting experiment – the only one in the world to my knowledge – will unfold until feet are on the ground and we’re a season or two into it.

What Gus was getting at – and I agree – is the happiness of the players and their families will be far more important than on-field results in those early years.

Living in a resort sounds terrific but it could quickly wear thin if the partners and kids are denied things they take for granted back here.

I’ve seen enough teams fall apart when things aren’t running smoothly on the home front.

The best coaches I played under made sure they regularly checked in on their players and families to ensure there were no problems.

Because no amount of money can wallpaper over discontent.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Latrell Mitchell returns to the NRL this week with a huge debt to pay South Sydney.

The Bunnies superstar has spent about the same amount of time on the sideline than he has in the middle since joining the club in 2020, averaging around 13 games a season.

We all accept injuries are part and parcel of the game and Latrell’s body simply won’t do what his mind wants at times.

At 29, his career is at the crossroads as far as how he will be remembered.

String a few injury-free seasons together for the Rabbitohs – along with a return to rep footy – and he will leave as one of the modern-day greats.

But if the stop-start routine continues, he will go down as a very good player who just couldn’t put together a complete body of work.

That next stage begins on Saturday when South Sydney take on Gold Coast in a must-win game.

Then it’s on to the arch-enemy – the Roosters – in the final round for a match that will decide Souths’ position in the top eight.

On current form, the Bunnies look like making up the numbers in the finals.

Latrell, at his best, can change all that.

If he catches fire, he can lift that entire side on his shoulders and carry them deep into September.

Over to you, Trell.

BEFORE I GO

I’m not sure most league fans realise the enormous advantage the Warriors will receive if they finish top two.

While Sydney clubs will be forced to play on neutral grounds as the play-offs roll on, the Kiwis won’t leave Auckland until grand final week if they win their two home finals.

Good luck to the sides travelling across the ditch because this Warriors side is the closest thing we’ve seen to the all-powerful Penrith.

They have that same next-man-up mentality and playing system, which is no surprise given coach Andrew Webster learned his craft under Ivan Cleary.

It would not surprise if we are crowning the NRL’s first international grand final winner on October 5.