‘Might never be used’: How new ARLC powers will impact NRL clubs and players

Peter V'landys explains how the new ARL Commission powers will work, with the NRL quick to point out that the new rules can also work in favour of the clubs.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys insists that their new powers to refer matters to the NRL judiciary are merely an insurance policy and may in fact never be used.

Club bosses were sent an email on Monday night informing them of changes to the NRL rules that allow the commission to send incidents to the judiciary if they have been overlooked or missed by the match review committee.

The email said that the changes were designed to add an extra layer of protection for clubs and players, something V’landys reiterated on Tuesday.

“If something is missed, there’s an insurance policy in place,” V’landys said.

“It might never be used. However, we have to be proactive and be ready for any circumstances. That’s basically what it is.

“It’s actually ironically for the benefit of the clubs and the players because if somebody commits foul play and it’s been missed, and they should have been penalised, that power is there.

Peter V'landys explains how the new ARL Commission powers will work. Picture: Richard Dobson

“As I said, it’s an insurance policy. I’m hoping it’s never going to be used to be frank. It might be used once in three years.

“Who knows? But it’s a safeguard. It’s like when you take out car insurance, you don’t expect to have a crash but it’s there just in case.”

Earlier this year, alarm bells were set off at NRL headquarters after Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney escaped with a slap on the wrist following an ugly incident involving Cronulla utility Daniel Atkinson.

It is understood the rule changes that were confirmed on Monday night pre-date the Mahoney incident - talks over potentially giving the commission greater powers stretch back to last year when discussions were initially held with clubs and the players union.

Reed Mahoney escaped with a slap on the wrist for this shot on Daniel Atkinson.

This masthead understands that the ARL Commission were looking to ensure that there was another level of certainty and security around the match review process.

The NRL was quick to privately point out that the new rules can also work in favour of the clubs given the new rules allow the commission to ask for a charge to be reviewed if they consider it too severe.

In the email sent to clubs on Monday night, the NRL said the changes to the judiciary code had been made to further safeguard fairness to clubs and players as well as player safety and to strengthen the match review process by adding a further layer of protection.

It added that the change provided both the commission and judiciary with more flexibility to ensure clubs and players are treated fairly.