The six players, Nathan Hindmarsh, Todd Carney, Justin Poore, Jarryd Hickey, Todd Payten and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, travelled half way round the world to help an aid project run by the Hillsong Church.
The 'mission' trip was hailed a success with a television station filming the player's hard work as they helped build houses for widows and orphans, played with children in villages and taught underprivileged children in schools.
It was amazing to watch the attitudes and worldviews of the players change with every person they met and every child they helped.
Not only did they go out of their way to help those less fortunate than themselves, but they also - less importantly - improved the standing of the NRL in the community and demonstrated that NRL players were capable of helping others – a notion the media would not normally portray.
Two years on and the NRL is still struggling with off-field scandals and are in desperate need of a boost to its image once again. The NRL chief, Mr David Gallop, should consider the benefits of sending small teams of players to volunteer with charities helping children and the less fortunate.
There are many other charities operating in both Australia and the third world that could use the publicity and support of the NRL to carry out their fine work – and there is no shortage of players needing a PR makeover.
Round 16
• Dragons over the Tigers
• Panthers to beat the Sea Eagles
• Broncos will outdo the Eels
• Cowboys at home will be too strong for the Sharks
• Storm over the Rabbitohs
• Titans to beat the Knights
• Roosters over the Warriors
• Raiders will be too strong for the Bulldogs
The book of Acts, chapter 6 details how the disciples dealt with the need in their community and as a result of serving the poor the church's numbers were greatly increased.