The phasing out of NRL cheerleaders comes at a time when women have never been more welcome in the game. The rise of women's rugby league - culminating in the NRLW competition and standalone State of Origin matches - has added a rich new chapter to the sport in recent years. Employment opportunities now exist in areas where they once didn't and women have a growing voice ranging from weekend junior footy to the ARL Commission. The same cannot be said about cheerleaders - a topic that will never be as black-and-white as many think it is. Are the decisions to phase out cheerleaders a result of the behaviour of some of those who watch them? Or has the time come when they simply no longer fit in with the game's values?