NRL news: NRL to weigh up changes to the Bunker and match review committee in off-season

The NRL has made a raft of on-field changes in recent years and more adjustments could be on the way, this time off the field with a review into the bunker and match review committee.

The NRL underwent its biggest on-field shake-up in the past 12 months and now the focus has shifted to mirroring those changes away from the field which casts doubt on the future of the $2 million bunker.

News Corp has learnt that the NRL has commissioned a game-wide review into a number of off-field issues with a plan to potentially revamp the game in a similar fashion to the on-field changes made in recent years.

The NRL will spend the off-season pouring over a range of reports with the view of implementing adjustments.

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It is understood the match review committee and how the judiciary panel operates will form a focal point of the view. That could mean changing the types of charges, loading and how long carry-over points last.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys confirmed change could be afoot.

“At the end of this season everything is under review,” V’landys said. “The judiciary, the match review committee – all of it.

“That’s not because there have been a lot of instances (of errors). It’s good corporate governance to check your systems to make sure they are operating as best as they can.

“We’re doing a very detailed analysis in the off-season.”

The NRL has been in discussions for months with player agents to revamp the accreditation scheme. That was close to being agreed to before the competition had to be shifted because of COVID-19, which put the proposal on the backburner.

Part of that plan is to increase the age players are able to sign with an agent from 14 to 17. Agents want that rule reciprocated for clubs.

“We’re going to review the player contracts and work with the RLPA and the agents,” V’landys said.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has confirmed a game-wide review will be conducted in the off-season. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The $2 million a year bunker could also come under the spotlight. The NRL has been using a remote bunker for video referee decisions during some finals matches.

The temporary van is set-up at outside the venues and is a far cry from the 57-monitor set-up used at the bunker in Everleigh. The mobile bunker could be used for the grand final.

The bunker is still in use for head injuries assessments and the match review committee.

“We’ve saved a lot of money by making the organisation run more efficiently – that’s not getting rid of staff,” V’landys said.

“It is about doing things in different ways which saves money. The last thing we want to do is affect staff.

“There are lot of processes that costly that we can run more effectively and efficiently.”

Other reforms being considered include implementing a transfer window and restricting players from seeking a release from their current deal to earn more money elsewhere.

The NRL is also exploring the introduction of forward pass technology.

Originally published as NRL news: NRL to weigh up changes to the Bunker and match review committee in off-season