Outgoing ARLC chairman John Grant fires shot at clubs ahead of constitutional showdown

OUTGOING chairman John Grant has fired one parting shot at clubs urging them to take more time to work on a constitution he describes as “entrenching divisions in the game”.

NRL funding announcement with ARLC Chairman John Grant, and Clubs rep Bart Campbell.

OUTGOING ARLC chairman John Grant has fired one parting shot at clubs urging them to take more time to work on a constitution he describes as “entrenching divisions in the game”.

The 16 NRL clubs are headed for a tense showdown on Wednesday as they prepare to vote on whether to accept a reformed constitution.

Only two clubs need to oppose reform for it to be rejected. Melbourne, Wests Tigers, New Zealand and the Cowboys are among the chief agitators with respective board meetings for the Tigers and Melbourne on Monday night set to influence the shape of rugby league.

It is understood that the constitution reform — as it stands — is unlikely to pass although there is now a push to potentially delay the vote in the hope of gaining a resolution with the notion of a secret ballot making the situation even more uneasy.

Grant’s tenure as ARLC Chairman is set to come to an end.

There has been a flurry of last minute canvassing by those clubs in favour of it to help get the reform across the line.

Incoming chairman Peter Beattie and NRL boss Todd Greenberg met with Storm chairman Bart Campbell on Friday. Campbell is seen as the influencer for those who have reservations about the new-look constitution.

The fate of would-be commissioners including club appointed duo — racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys and Sydney lawyer Glen Selikowitz — rest with club’s passing reform. Queensland Rugby League chair Bruce Hatcher and his NSW counterpart George Peponis will also join the commission.

TRIAL: Warriors do the job against Melbourne

BRICK BY BRICK: Hoffman’s secret passion

Grant was critical of the new-look constitution.

“The constitution fails on our third criteria that it is not a forward thinking document,” Grant said. “It entrenches the divisions in this game at state and club level. And it provides opportunities to get people who want to stop the operations of the commission. You can’t have a constitution like that frankly.

“Operationally it’s not where the game wants to be. We need to have constitutional reform that has a document that is more about the future than it is about the past and provides an efficient and effective environment in which the company can actually operate it. People don’t pay as much attention to constitutions as they should.

“(The clubs) are finally taking into account what it really means and they are raising issues.

“It is unfortunate that these concerns are now being raised. They have to deal with them.”

Grant will stand down on Wednesday.

Grant and Cathy Harris will stand-down on Wednesday. South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas has called for a pre-meeting for all club chairs on Wednesday while Grant’s own farewell on Tuesday night — which a host of chairs will attend — will also serve as a lobbying opportunity.

Grant called on the clubs to delay a decision.

“The whole proposition that it needs to be decided at the AGM — well no it doesn’t,” Grant said. “It’s on the agenda but it could well be that another EGM is called at any time. One member can call it at any time with 21 days notice. There is no imperative that it needs to be dealt with at the AGM.

“If they are of the mine to try to resolve this then they need to take more time if they need more time.”

Originally published as Outgoing ARLC chairman John Grant fires shot at clubs ahead of constitutional showdown