Source :- THE AGE NEWS
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys says the head body won’t be pressured into punishing the Brisbane Broncos after accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith visited their dressing room.
Clubs have previously been fined for bringing the game into disrepute over negative media coverage, but V’landys is standing up to public disquiet.
Roberts-Smith and his daughters were in the Broncos sheds last Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium after Brisbane’s shock loss to St George Illawarra.
Roberts-Smith was invited by Broncos welfare officer Adam Walsh, a former SAS soldier who completed training under Roberts-Smith. The club did not invite Roberts-Smith and are upset about their staffer’s actions. The Broncos refused to comment on the matter.
Roberts-Smith has been charged with multiple war crimes over the alleged murders of unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for each charge.
However, V’landys said the Broncos would not be sanctioned.
“No, absolutely not,” he said. “The Broncos have not breached any NRL rule, licence condition, or directive. We do not fine clubs simply because an issue attracts public debate or because people hold strong views about it. Disciplinary action must be based on rules and evidence, not headlines.
“For many fans, rugby league is a release from politics, division and the pressures of everyday life. The game should not be drawn into making political or legal judgments when a controversial figure attends a match or enters a dressing room.
“Rugby league is a game that brings people together.
“The allegations involving Roberts-Smith are serious. Nobody should diminish that.
“But that is why the matter must be handled properly. Serious allegations deserve a serious process – one based on evidence, due process and the courts – not a judgment from a sporting body reacting to media pressure.
“In Australia, a person facing criminal charges is entitled to the presumption of innocence and natural justice. That principle does not disappear because a matter is high-profile.”
Moses’ juggling act
Eels captain Mitchell Moses has more than just his injured hamstring on his mind as Origin II looms – he is also about to become a dad for the third time.
If fit and selected for NSW, he will play despite the possibility of baby No.3 arriving soon. He has form in this area.
“I missed the birth of my first because of a prelim with Parra,” he said. “We haven’t planned things well, have we? It’s fair to say I’ve got a fair bit going on with my third due around game two.”
Moses had his wife, Bri, and kids in England with him on the Kangaroos Ashes tour last year.
“Bri is so great with the kids, she really has it locked down,” Moses said. “She lets me focus on football and makes it all stress-free for me. I’m very lucky.”
PVL the dealmaker
No deal has yet been struck for rugby league’s TV broadcast rights, but V’landys has already achieved one of his main aims with the negotiations – and it is set to result in a bumper payday for the game.
The ARLC chairman has created genuine competitive tension in the market when most thought he’d struggle to do so. He wants to crack the $4 billion mark for the rights deal, and few would be surprised if he achieves it.
Kenny become the next Steve Irwin?
Mitch Kenny could be taking his first steps towards becoming a Steve Irwin-style TV personality.
The Penrith hooker has taken his love of bird-watching to a new level and is now hosting bird-watching tours. Kenny has partnered with Columbia Sportswear and will lead 30 people on a bird-watching tour of Centennial Park next month.
It’s a genuine hobby that Kenny is extremely passionate about. Whether he can monetise it in years to come remains to be seen, but he clearly loves spotting birds so may be happy to share his knowledge for nothing.
Kenny is good enough in front of the camera to develop into an adventure presenter.
The show must go on in Vegas
The mooted NRL global round, which would see matches to be played in Japan, Abu Dhabi, London and Hong Kong, has been the subject of plenty of discussion at head office. But the game is not about to abandon Las Vegas.
In fact, there are moves to do another deal with the Las Vegas tourism department to keep the NRL coming back to the city for another five years.
Vegas has been a huge success for the game over the past three years. The NRL has confirmed that 2027 will see the Tigers take on Melbourne and Parramatta clash with the Titans to open the season. A match between English Super League clubs Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards will round out the triple-header.
After those four NRL clubs make their maiden appearance at Allegiant Stadium, all teams other than the Dolphins and newcomers Perth and the PNG Chiefs would have played in Vegas.
On the quiet, teams have started to make plans for their second visits. After mega events such as the Super Bowl and Formula One, rugby league is one of the best earners for Las Vegas tourism. And last year the NRL made $2.5 million profit on the Las Vegas season launch. The influx of 20,000 Australians and another 10,000 English fans brings serious spending money to a host city.
The NRL will ask clubs to try to align themselves more with NFL teams in the lead-up to games – like the Roosters and Broncos did in year one of the concept.
Meninga digs a bigger hole for himself
The NRL is privately fuming that a failed PR stunt by the Perth Bears has landed them in the headlines after Mal Meninga’s poaching declarations.
Meninga told News Corp last month the NRL-owned Bears would “be in the picture” to pursue the likes of Bulldogs pair Jacob Preston and Matt Burton, and Panthers champion Nathan Cleary if they hit the open market on November 1. The comments angered the Bulldogs, who complained to the NRL about Meninga openly courting their stars, who are under contract until the end of 2027.
The complaint resulted in the NRL Integrity Unit investigating the matter.
It’s fortunate the Integrity Unit is operating independently of the NRL as it means the governing body does not need to investigate the team it owns.
Meninga is already on the nose at Moore Park – and when he admitted to News Corp during the week in a separate interview that he didn’t know about the rules on commentary about poaching, it only made the NRL look worse.
It’s not a serious rule breach, but the NRL has had to deal with the fallout. The complaint was driven by Bulldogs officials – but not general manager Phil Gould. He doesn’t read News Corp media so was unaware of Meninga’s comments.
If the NRL was responsible for the investigation, Meninga would have already been fined.
Gyngell brings Roosters, Sharks together
Roosters and Sharks heavyweights have banded together to help one of Australia’s most respected and liked media figures, former Nine chief executive David Gyngell.
Roosters general manager Mitch Aubusson and Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon have been helping him find the best available knee surgeons after Gyngell ruptured his ACL in a sporting accident last week.
Gyngell has strong ties with the Roosters, where he was a board member and remains a passionate supporter. His strong friendship with former Roosters star and assistant coach Fitzgibbon led to him being seen at Sharks headquarters on Wednesday where his knee was examined.
Not many people can bring those two clubs together, but Gyngell can – and it’s known he is grateful to his old rugby league mates.
Sharpe option for NSW
Stephen Crichton’s fitness is a real concern for the Blues. The back-up plan if the Bulldogs centre is unable to play in Origin II is no secret – Casey McLean is an excellent cover and proved his credentials when replacing Tolu Koula in the series opener.
But the identity of McLean’s replacement on the bench is of interest. Knights young gun Fletcher Sharpe is getting plenty of attention from those picking the side. He would be a real weapon off the bench.
Blues to party like it’s 1996
A special dinner is being organised for the NSW team before Origin III in Brisbane. The clean-sweep 1996 side will dine with the 2026 Blues team.
The ’96 squad was an incredible team, made all the more remarkable because the same line-up, coached by Phil Gould, took the field for every single match.
The players have already been in touch with some of the 2026 players.
NSW tee off
Who would have thought the Blues’ kicking tee delivery would be so heavily discussed at their debriefing after game one last month at Accor Stadium?
Nathan Cleary was left staring at the sideline, the tee nowhere to be seen, as the clock wound down after he scored a try. We’re unsure what happened, but the Blues don’t want a repeat.
Expect tee delivery to be much sharper in games two and three.
Amone’s league return
Dragons fans may be interested to learn former five-eighth Junior Amone has made a long-awaited comeback to rugby league after a couple of years in low-level rugby.
Amone made his return for Wests Devils in the Illawarra reserve-grade competition a fortnight ago, helping them to a 28-24 defeat of Sutherland Pirates.
He was once touted as a future first-grade star, but his off-field actions cruelled his career. Amone’s $500,000 NRL contract was torn up at the end of 2023 after he was sentenced to a two-year intensive correction order and 300 hours of community service for his role in a rooftop hammer attack on a tradesman in Wollongong.
Sea Eagles set to lock up Turbo
With Manly club stalwart Jake Trbojevic signing on for another season, expect the Sea Eagles to open negotiations with his brother Tom to ensure he is part of the Kieran Foran era.
Tom was weighing up a move to English Super League club Warrington under the old regime after the club made promises it didn’t keep when it mattered. But Tom is happy and settled now.
There is no question Jake would have retired at the end of this season if Anthony Seibold had remained the Sea Eagles’ coach. Seibold was sacked after four rounds.
It was obvious that Jake was falling out of love with the game under Seibold. Now, he is sipping from the fountain of youth, with Foran providing him with a role he can excel at.
Foran’s arrival means Jake is $600,000 better off, as he has extended his career by another season – provided he can remain clear of head knocks.
It’s also allowed him another 12 months to decide what role he will take up when he retires at the end of 2027. Jake is loved by the commercial side of the club and that’s an area he could end up in – unless he wants to join the coaching staff.
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