Yesterday rugby league officials were outlining the program for the game’s centenary celebrations in 2008, but the launch was swamped by some of the worst coverage the NRL has ever received.

As the game’s legends and officials assembled at Fox Studios these headlines from the Sydney newspapers caused a lot of discomfort:

League faces new s-x scandal – Daily Telegraph

Rail threat to Bulldogs – Sydney Morning Herald

And we can throw in for good measure continuing coverage about the Bulldogs Brad “the biter” Morrin eight match ban at NRL judiciary last night after admitting he bit the Eels Timana Tahu on the arm in last Friday night’s match.

According to the Telegraph, the Warrior’s winger, Michael Crockett, is under police investigation for an alleged s-xual assault after the Warriors memorable draw with the Roosters on Sunday.

And the Herald reveals that Sydney Rail crews are threatening to boycott services to and from Sydney Bulldogs games after a series of violent attacks, some involving the team’s fans.

Then there’s the extensive coverage given to a lower grade Bulldogs player who has finally handed himself in to police after allegedly assaulting hotel staff and stealing a vehicle at Parramatta over the weekend.

The centenary of the establishment of rugby league has been in the planning phase for some time. It will culminate in the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the 2008 season.

Yesterday’s launch was attended by a host of the games greats, including Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper and Dally Messenger III, the descendant of the legendary Dally Messenger whose dramatic switch from rugby union to rugby league in 1908 began a century of domination of league over union in NSW and Queensland.

Messenger was one of the greatest league players of all time as well as being one of its foundation players — and he was a handy cricketer too, being one of only three players to hit a six over the historic SCG Members’ Stand clock! The Dally Messenger Stand at the SCG honours his memory.

What a pity the launch of a year of celebrations for the game he helped establish is being overshadowed by some of the most unfavourable publicity rugby league has received. Messenger and his successors surely deserve better.