The Canberra Raiders are locked in to finally resume contact training on Monday - provided it doesn't get delayed again.
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While Raiders coach Ricky Stuart mightn't be completely confident contact will definitely happen, the NRL's new $2.3 billion television deal does fill him with confidence.
Confidence not only they've got the right man in charge of rugby league, but also confident the game is leading the other codes out of the coronavirus chaos instead of the boot being on the other foot.
The Raiders trained on Sunday before breaking to enjoy a socially distant Mother's Day, with Monday now the planned return to full contact training.
Initially, their return from the COVID-19 lockdown was meant to begin with full contact last Tuesday, but it was put back to Saturday. Then Sunday. And now Monday. Hopefully.
"We're locked in tomorrow for contact, but there's been changes at the last hour with a number of things in preparation and we haven't whinged, we've got on with it," Stuart said.
"We just move forward and we deal with what we've got at hand."
It comes as news ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys expected to complete a seven-year, $2.3 billion deal with Foxtel and Nine by Friday.
The NRL's existing deal with the broadcasters had three years to run, but as part of negotiations around rejigging this year's coronavirus-affected campaign that's been extended by four years until the end of 2026.
While the new deal represents a slightly lower per-annum rate - the previous $1.8 billion, five-year deal would equate to about $2.5 billion over seven years - it included a discount for this year's 20-round season that could be played entirely without crowds for the rest of the campaign.
It should ensure the long-term future of all 16 NRL clubs.
Stuart said having that financial security locked in was a great confidence boost - further enhanced by having V'landys at the wheel.
V'landys has successfully negotiated every hurdle so far - winning over the players, the clubs and now the broadcasters along the way.
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And that's been during his spare time. His real nine-to-five job has been keeping NSW Racing going through the entire pandemic with barely a hiccup.
"For me it shows two things. It gives me confidence that we've certainly got the right man leading from the front," Stuart said.
"He's shown with the racing game that he's a winner. With all the Zooms and phone hookups that I've been invited into with [Raiders chief executive] Don Furner and listened to Peter talk you get a very confident feeling we've got the best man in charge leading us out of this situation.
"Then you get an optimistic feel today with the broadcasting deal."
Stuart added so successful had V'landys been, it had other Australian codes now following rugby league's lead.
"I feel privileged to be in a game that other codes are watching to be able to use as an example rather than the shoe being on the other foot," he said.
"We've got other codes sitting, waiting and watching. Six weeks ago the negativity and the criticism around Peter and the game, the players - whoever was involved in rugby league - was very strong.
"But now Peter and the CEOs have not looked in any other direction, they've just kept moving forward and any hurdle they've come up against they've hit it head on. There's been a great show of unity from the clubs' point of view."
With the TV deal now seemingly done, the NRL's attention can turn to finalising a revamped draw for the remaining 18 rounds when the competition resumes on May 28.
It's expected to be announced some time this week.
Stuart was unconcerned about the current lack of a draw and said they only needed to know about a week before round three starts.
"Because we're going to be playing on neutral grounds having seven to 10 days preparation into the team you're playing is sufficient," he said.
"That's fine. We can't be precious in regards to we need a certain amount of days for contact, we need a certain amount of days for knowing the competition draw.
"We should all be getting ready and prepared to play as though the game's going to be on tomorrow because this time six weeks ago we were never going to be here ... we've just got to get on our horse and get going."