Fix NRL's problems first, then choose a leader

AUSTRALIA'S former political leaders have a poor track record when it comes to autumnal careers.

Of the current crop, Gough Whitlam sunk to the depths of television marketing and Paul Keating comes across as a meddling old know-it-all, determined to use his waning political influence to create a pre-European fantasy out of the northern end of Darling Harbour. Hawke is busily having a Bob-each-way, floating schemes that might make him a quid and sticking his oar in the political process when he thinks it might help the ALP. Malcolm Fraser has spun like a busted compass and now lends his weight to causes that are closer to the sympathies of the Greens and the extreme Left than to the Liberal Party he once led. The most recent member of the former PMs' club, John Howard, has resolutely stuck to his promise not to become a commentator on the daily political squabbles and, apart from defending the sterling economic record of his administration, has been busily completing his political memoirs. In his forced retirement, he retains the most dignity of all his colleagues. Thus the speculation that he has been approached to chair a new National Rugby League board which itself would have powers that are yet to be spelled out comes as a real fetch from somewhere beyond the stadium. Before even considering whether Howard would or would not be the right person for this role, the NRL committee which is considering the formation of an eight-member semi-professional board of independent commissioners, has to get all its other ducks in line. Throwing names of possible chairmen around before the 'i's are dotted and the 't's crossed is premature and, if any indication of the planning process behind the new commission, very worrying. Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle, who reportedly sounded out Howard about his possible involvement, should row back a few lengths and ensure that all else is in place and tightly locked in. Then, once certain vital elements are nailed down, it might be time to permit speculation about possible chairmen. As my friend Phil Rothfield noted in his commentary in The Daily Telegraph yesterday, an independent commission is the way forward for the game but the NRL has problems almost impossible to resolve under the current structure. Rothfield also mentioned "junket-loving dinosaurs", which besides being an arresting visual image also happens to be the tragic truth. Too many of those in senior positions in the current structure are more enamoured of the free tickets, trips and other perks of the job than about the great game they are meant to be serving. The contrast between the approach taken by the NRL and the AFL, which runs the southern game, is marked. The AFL pulled itself together in the past decade and has its eyes firmly fixed on the future. By comparison, the NRL has its eyes locked in the rear-vision mirror so its ageing dynasties can endlessly replay the vendettas of their youths. When Searle's committee gets its act together and demonstrates that it is heading forward not backward, it should then draw up a shortlist of commissioners and potential chairmen that is acceptable to the stakeholders. But the commission concept itself has to be ratified and approved before that step can be reached. Thus far Howard himself has not commented on whether he is at all interested, though nor is he likely to before a formal approach is made, if one is eventually forthcoming. There is a lot of animosity surrounding the commission proposal and Howard is not going to wade into that any more than he would be likely to thrust himself into daily current political events. That the new concept, when it is finally hammered out, will need someone with the political skills of a person with Howard's proven ability to hold it all together is a given. Whether that person will (or should) be Howard is a totally different thing. For openers, he may well feel that he is not the ideal candidate to take on the new position. Howard is already a member of the Bradman Foundation - his love of cricket would appear to be probably greater than his undoubted passion for rugby league - and there is a question of whether in future there could be conflicts between that role and anything that Searle might have canvassed with him. There is also a question of age, though at 70, Howard is physically and intellectually in better shape than many executives half his age and he has credibility, despite his political loss, that still resonates with thinking Australians of all political bents. Not one to run from a brawl, it should also be asked whether it is fair to ask someone who has given so much already to this nation to take on another battle that will be as rough as anything he ever faced in his political life. Bottom line though, Howard's chairmanship is as hypothetical as an Eels win if there had been another 20 minutes of play last Saturday. The NRL has a lot more to settle before it decides on a chairman, starting with its current management strategy.