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Last Update: Friday, November 12, 2004. 12:09pm AEDT

Mark McLinden is one of several players in recent years to head overseas. (Getty Images)

NRL urged to confront player exodus

The chief executive of the Sydney Roosters, Brian Canavan, says the drain of top National Rugby League (NRL) players to English clubs is a concern and must be rectified.

Increasingly, younger NRL players are heading to England, lured by bigger pay cheques than they are being offered in Australia.

Twenty-five-year-old Canberra half-back Mark McLinden is the latest player to go and Mr Canavan says this trend is a challenge the NRL must confront.

"It means that we've got to advance our business, we've got to generate more revenue," he said.

"We're coming up for the renewal of some media deals. Let's hope that injects some huge funds into our game so that we can, as I say, advance what our offerings are here in the NRL competition."

Meanwhile, Mr Canavan said the club was pleased with its draw for next year's NRL season.

Mr Canavan said the club had retained home games on Good Friday against the Broncos and the traditional Anzac Day clash with St George Ilawarra, as well as two byes during the State of Origin series.

"It's very similar to our draw from 2004," he said.

"We've got an opening game against South Sydney, which is a local derby, so we're happy with that one.

"Our last fixture of the year is against the Canterbury Bulldogs, which should be a crackerjack match, and we'd like to think we're challenging the Bulldogs for a very high position on the points ladder in the last fixture of the year."

In other NRL news, the Canberra Raiders have sacked centre Jason Bulgarelli with one year remaining on his contract.

Club chief executive Simon Hawkins said Bulgarelli was dismissed for breaching the club's code of conduct.

Related Stories:

Broncos unhappy with draw

Kiwis see off French challenge

Dogs, Dragons to kick-start NRL in 2005

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Related Stories:

Broncos unhappy with draw

Kiwis see off French challenge

Dogs, Dragons to kick-start NRL in 2005

Rugby League Top Stories

• NRL urged to confront player exodus
• Broncos unhappy with draw
• Kiwis see off French challenge
• Dogs, Dragons to kick-start NRL in 2005
• Harris likely to miss Tri-Nations clash
• Kangaroos won't go soft on Great Britain
• O'Meley in for injured Ryles
• Ricketson to lead Roosters
• Coast to host Bulldogs home match
• McLinden quits Raiders
• Johns back in training
• Wigan sign Aussie ace Moran
• Great Britain fight-back sinks Kiwis
• Mogg stays put in Canberra
• Fletcher reappointed as Rabbitohs skipper
• Lockyer due to return against France
• Elland Road to stage league club showpiece
• Rabbitohs look to recruit British Test stars
• Hopkins, Craigie off to England
• Kangaroos win Tri-Nations thriller
• Kimmorley stars in Anzacs victory

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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of UTC (Greenwich Mean Time)
AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight-Saving Time which is 11 hours ahead of UTC (Greenwich Mean Time)