Power 100: Who are our most influential sporting figures?

Peter V’landys somehow steered both the NRL and horse racing through one of the most tumultuous years we’ve ever seen, and was never afraid to bring his influence to bear to get results.

You can’t have a Power 100 list in Sydney without packing it full of sporting figures.

And no sporting figures get the blood pumping, punters arguing and fans cheering like rugby league’s on and off-field leaders.

Peter V’landys somehow steered both the NRL and horse racing through one of the most tumultuous years we’ve ever seen, and was never afraid to bring his gigantic influence to bear to get results.

He led, and the rest of Australia’s sporting officials followed.

The Daily Telegraph is counting down the most powerful people in sport.

Andrew Abdo has cracked the 100 list for the first time after being made the NRL’s chief executive, taking over from Todd Greenberg who ended the year as the leader of Australia’s cricket union.

By far the most influential NRL club boss is Nick Politis. He’s been at the helm of the Bondi club for over a quarter of a century, but still has the drive to spend weekends scouting out the best teen prospects in the state.

Wayne Bennett remains one of the NRL’s most influential figures. Picture: Getty

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is in his final year at South Sydney and looking to go out with a bang, while Brad Fittler may have lost the ‘unlosable’ State of Origin series to Bennett’s Maroons but he still retains enormous influence through his charity work.

Chris Waller may no longer have the worldwide superstar Winx to train but his dominance of Sydney racing shows no signs of waning, while Ellyse Perry has also made a strong showing in the year she was named the ICC’s women’s cricketer of the decade.

Who is sport’s biggest powerbroker? Read The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 list on Friday March 5 in print and online.

Originally published as Power 100: Who are our most influential sporting figures?