‘It is not a failure’: Defiant Peter Beattie backs NRL’s contentious policy

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie is backing the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy and has hit out at suggestions it had failed its first test.

Peter Beattie is standing firm. Picture: Annette Dew

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Peter Beattie is backing the NRL’s contentious no-fault stand down policy after Manly star Dylan Walker was found not guilty of domestic violence charges last week.

The policy will face its toughest test yet when the federal court rules on Jack de Belin’s case this week after the St George Illawarra lock challenged the NRL’s new rule.

More than just de Belin’s immediate playing future is on the line. Beattie’s position will come under fire if the ruling goes against the Australian Rugby League Commission.

ARLC chairman Beattie drove the policy change that was implemented following a train wreck of a summer during which there were a number of high-profile off-field incidents.

Walker has not played this year as a result of the rule change. He was found not guilty on Friday and is expected to be rushed back into the Sea Eagles side to play Cronulla despite needing one final clearance from the NRL’s integrity unit.

Beattie remains defiant about the policy and hit out at suggestions it had failed its first test following Walker being found not guilty.

“I am very happy to defend the ARLC’s no-fault stand-down policy,” Beattie said.

Peter Beattie is standing firm. Picture: Annette Dew

“It is a unanimous policy of the ARLC. As I said when we released the policy, there will be occasions where a stood-down player is later cleared by the court and is then able to return to the game — provided Todd (Greenberg) is satisfied there are no other issues involved.

“That is how the policy works. It is not a policy failure.

“This policy protects the welfare of the game while the courts are going through their processes. Clearly the Dylan Walker case demonstrates that this policy did not prejudice players before the court. I am not backing down on this policy and nor is the ARLC.”

Beattie left NRL boss Greenberg to defend the game publicly on Friday following the decision on the Walker case. He rejected suggestions that he was ducking the fallout.

“The ARLC sets policy and it is Todd’s job as CEO to implement it,” Beattie said.

“Indeed, under the policy Todd has been given extra powers as CEO to deal with disciplinary matters.

“Now that the court in the Dylan Walker matter has reached a decision, it is a matter for Todd under our policy to determine when he returns to the game. That is why he ­issued the statement he did.

Dylan Walker was found not guilty of domestic violence charges last week. Picture: Chris Pavlich

“However, whether the policy is working or not is a matter I am more than happy to comment on and defend.

“I know that will not be popular at times but this is about protecting the whole game and all players. If the game loses value, players will be paid less. That is how it works. It is that simple.”

Beattie has staked his reputation on the policy. The Daily Telegraph understands should it fail to hold up in court his chairmanship could come to a crashing halt.

Beattie refused to be drawn into speculation he could be forced to walk away as early as next week.

“Regardless of what happens, this is still the right thing,’’ he said. “I make no apologies for doing the right thing.”