Peter V’landys drawn into NSW Rugby League stoush as George Peponis and Nick Politis walk away

The NSWRL has leapt to the defence of embattled CEO Dave Trodden after the resignation of powerbrokers George Peponis and Nick Politis at the AGM put the spotlight on his position.

The NSWRL has condemned what they believe are “personal attacks” on under fire chief Dave Trodden after explosive developments led to two senior board members quitting their post.

NSWL chairman George Peponis and fellow director Nick Politis resigned following the annual general meeting on Friday. Their angst came after the decision to freeze out Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta who had intended to run for a board spot.

The resignation of Peponis and Politis - two of the game’s most respected and influential figures - put the spotlight on Trodden’s position.

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NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden is coming under significant fire.

But NSWRL deputy chair John Anderson has backed his chief executive.

“The NSWRL Board has no intention of breaching the confidentialities of a private board meeting, but it objects to the manner in which events that transpired were reported,” Anderson said.

“In particular, the board is disappointed by what appears to be a targeted personal attack on chief executive David Trodden for simply doing his job.

“The board will now move to consider the casual vacancy that exists for one director and the appointment of a new chair. Until those appointments are made the board will not make any further comment on any circumstances arising from the meeting.”

Politis said he was sickened by the events while ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said he was prepared to investigate if a complaint was made.

‘It’s sickening’: NSWRL boardroom battle turns ugly

- Brent Read and Phil Rothfield

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys is ready to intervene in the civil war at the NSW Rugby League after doctor George Peponis and Nick Politis - two of the game’s most respected and powerful figures - dramatically walked away from the organisation.

Peponis and Politis tendered their resignations following the annual general meeting on Friday afternoon, only days after News Corp revealed the organisation was on the verge of imploding over the decision to freeze out Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta.

Politis told News Corp he was sickened by the events while V’landys said he was concerned at the developments at NSW headquarters and was ready to step in if he received a complaint.

Nick Politis has quit his role at the NSW Rugby League.

“Corporate governance to us is paramount,” V’landys said.

“We don’t have the power over these organisations but we fund them. Accordingly, if we fund an organisation, we’re going to make sure the funds we’re giving them are used for the proper purpose.

“If someone complains to us they are being unfairly exempted, we would investigate it.”

Mezzatesta was all set to run for the board - having nominated nearly two weeks ago - only to be told this week that he was precluded from being a director because he was a paid employee of an NRL club.

Mezzatesta took legal advice of his own in an attempt to overturn the NSWRL’s decision but ultimately elected to step back, although he reiterated his concerns during a phone hookup on Friday.

The decision to prevent him running seemingly flew in the face of history. Over the years, the NSWRL board has form for having paid club officials on their ranks. Ray Dib was paid as Canterbury chair when he was on the NSWRL board. So were others.

Dino Mezzatesta is at the centre of the furore.

Peponis and Politis were incensed by the NSWRL’s stance, putting them on a collision course with chief executive David Trodden. The standoff resulted in Peponis and Politis walking away on Friday, although Politis is exploring his legal options.

He spoke to V’landys on Friday afternoon and later said he resigned from the board because he was disgusted by the treatment of Mezzatesta and Peponis.

“Both have so much to offer the game,” Politis said.

“It’s wrong and I don’t want to be part of an organisation that behaves in this manner. It makes you sick. It stinks.

“George has been a great chairman and doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. Dino also had so much to offer the game.”

News Corp understands that under the terms of the merger between the NSWRL and Country Rugby League in 2019, Peponis and Trodden were guaranteed their roles for at least three years.

Peter V'landys is ready to get involved in the stoush.

That protection has now expired, meaning a vote for the chair needed to take place after Friday’s meeting. Peponis and Politis were ready to do so but the other board members wanted to wait.

That was enough to convince Peponis to step down.

“I am disappointed but I feel I have achieved a lot over the years,” Peponis said.

“We built a Centre of Excellence while I was there, we won three out of the last four State of Origin series, our participation numbers are higher than they have ever been, we got rugby league under one banner. I feel I can leave there confident I have contributed.

“It is a shame because I enjoyed contributing. I am not walking away as if I have not achieved anything. I feel I have achieved quite a bit.”

The battle for power at the NSW Rugby League has put the future of Trodden in the spotlight. His place at the helm of the organisation is now expected to come under scrutiny.