V’landys says ‘alarmist language’ must be ignored
earlier vowed to sort out the 2020 season once and for all after describing recent commentary around the game’s attempt to return as “scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric”.
The ARLC chairman, clearly frustrated by Channel 9’s statement describing a May 28 resumption date as “premature”, said in an interview with the Today show he was saving his “best punches to the end”.
“This is like a boxing match, you take a few blows to the head, a few body blows, but you save your best punches to the end,” V’landys said.
“I think you’ll find on the 28th of May we will start and we won’t be a problem.”
A Project Apollo meeting planned for yesterday was reportedly postponed until next week with the NRL weighing up the requests of both Nine and Fox for schedule options.
One of the main sticking points in broadcast negotiations between Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany and Nine boss Hugh Marks is the length of this season.
Nine would prefer a shorter competition in 2020 of about 17 weeks, while Fox Sports want as many games as possible and would be happy for the competition to run into November.
“We have two different broadcasters – one has a different view to the other,” V’landys said. “We will meet our contractual obligation to the broadcasters but a decision has to be made.
“The procrastination has been taking long enough.”
V’landys insisted the game could return, and backed biosecurity measures that will be handed on to clubs.
“Look at the data and the facts,” he said.
“Don’t look at emotion and