NRL 2021: Peter V’landys headhunts Mick Fuller to fix player misbehaviour

Off-field player misbehaviour costs the NRL millions of dollars each year. Peter V’landys has just made one of the wisest decisions of his tenure.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller is being headhunted by the NRL. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Steven Saphore

Rugby league stars have been put on notice — the state’s most powerful law enforcer is poised to join the NRL on the independent commission.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has been offered a role by commission chairman Peter V’landys in a move to stamp out the off-field misbehaviour that is costing the NRL millions of dollars each year in sponsorship money.

Under the agreement Mr Fuller would donate his $75,000 annual directors’ fee to Police Legacy, the charity closest to his heart that raises funds to provide welfare to families of officers struck by tragedy.

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The appointment sends a clear message to the players after yet another off-season of controversy.

“We need consistency and fines that are high enough to change player behaviour,” Mr Fuller told The Daily Telegraph. “I’ve put an enormous amount of work into developing people, not just in the police force but in the community, through the PCYC and other programs.

“I’ve seen examples of how one or two people can really spoil the work of thousands of others.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller is being headhunted by the NRL. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Steven Saphore

“I’ve taken a hard line to bad behaviour in the police force and if I’m on the commission I’ll be taking a hard line to bad behaviour in the NRL. The reality is you only need a couple to spoil your brand.

“In the NRL there’s so many stakeholders — the fans, the members, the sponsors, your fellow players who are all impacted in a big way by bad behaviour.”

The police commissioner sought permission from Premier Gladys Berejiklian to take on the role and she is understood to be looking at it favourably.

The NRL recently revealed it had lost a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with a leading hardware company due to players misbehaving.

Payne Haas leaves court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Steve Holland

The NRL and the integrity unit will use Mr Fuller’s vast experience and connections over decades in the police force to help improve player behaviour.

“I’ve been a rugby league fan all my life,” he said. “I played for Engadine Dragons as a kid. I was a terrible player but I love the game. I’ve been a Dragons fan my whole life.

“I’ve got my Foxtel and I watch the football all weekend but I’m not an expert in the game who wants to reshape the rules.

“I’d be trying to add value with young players in relation to their careers. Some guidance that would be beneficial to them and the game.

“I’d be looking at how we get some certainty in sentencing so that players perhaps make better decisions when they are out on the grog.

“In the police force it’s been important to promote all the good things we do. It’s the same with rugby league.”

Brent Naden will miss the start of the season following his positive cocaine test. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

Mr Fuller was first approached by V’landys a fortnight ago.

“I recently spoke to Peter concerning issues between the NRL and the police force arising from incidents which took place throughout 2020,” he said.

“Both he and I are determined to ensure that 2021 is not a repeat of the last 12 months in that regard.

“We had a general discussion regarding the fact there was a vacant position on the commission.”

Comment: Fuller appointment another wise PVL move

Peter V’landys has made a lot of smart calls since becoming independent commission chairman.

Few smarter than his move to appoint NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to the commission.

You can have all the financial, legal, rules and marketing experts among the directors but player misbehaviour is arguably the biggest issue in the game.

It happens every off-season. Scandal after scandal.

Peter V'landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Payne Haas, Adam Elliott and Zane Musgrove – all repeat offenders.

The very small percentage of footballers who continue to bring shame to the code have been put on notice. Mick Fuller doesn’t tolerate mugs.

He will ensure future penalties are harsh enough to act as a deterrent.

He will push for heavy fines as much as long suspensions.

At long past the NRL has shown it is deadly serious about protecting the image of the game.