ARL Comission set for major shake-up in 2017 after two members walkout

TWO members of rugby league’s independent commission have quit as part of a major shake-up and sweeping changes to the game’s administration.

ARL Chairman John Grant will head a revamped commission. Picture: Brett Costello

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TWO members of rugby league’s independent commission have quit as part of a major shake-up and sweeping changes to the game’s administration.

Directors Jeremy Sutcliffe and Graeme Samuel both resigned on Wednesday after months of squabbling with the 16 NRL clubs over future funding.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the commission will now undergo a major revamp before the start of the season that will include the appointment of NSWRL chairman George Peponis and his QRL counterpart Peter Betros and two club-appointed officials.

One of the club appointments is likely to be former Channel Nine boss David Gyngell, which would force him to stand down from the Nine board.

ARL Chairman John Grant will head a revamped commission. Picture: Brett Costello

Highly regarded Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys is also a strong tip to be included.

Under the new structure, the commission will increase from eight members to nine.

Two from the states, two from the clubs and five from the NRL.

John Grant will remain as chairman but with a strict deadline of February 2018 for his departure.

Grant has been in secret talks with influential club bosses for several days over the final structure of the commission.

Yet he was caught by surprise when Sutcliffe and Samuel chose to walk.

NRL insiders claim the pair were furious at Grant for caving in to club funding demands in December.

“They were both of the opinion the game couldn’t afford to give the clubs as much money as they did,” said one NRL source.

Former Channel Nine boss David Gyngell is likely to be appointed. Picture: Britta Campion

Another commissioner Chris Sarra also announced earlier this year he is stepping down.

The appointments of state bosses Peponis and Betros is a huge victory for heartland rugby league with their knowledge of the grassroots and in particular country football.

Another two will be appointed by the clubs to give officials from the 16 teams just under half of the representation on the revamped commission.

“This is a huge result for the game,” said one senior official last night.

“It is going to take a lot of heat and bitterness out of the relationships between the clubs and the administration because the clubs are not going to criticise officials they have appointed.”

Talks will continue over the next few days before the NRL is in a position to announce the changes.

Positions will be finalised before the March kick-off to ensure a smooth start to the season.

Originally published as ARL Comission set for major shake-up in 2017 after two members walkout