Titans oppose Pappas reform

THE architect behind rugby league’s planned constitutional reform has declared it is time for the game to “stand up” ahead of what is anticipated to be a fiery showdown at the NRL’s Sydney headquarters today.

South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas has led the charge for a reworked constitution which will be decided upon when the 16 club heads meet for the game’s AGM, where they will vote on the make-up of the commission.

But the reform of the Commission remains in doubt with two clubs believed to be still opposed to the changes.

Only two clubs need to vote no in the secret ballot for the reform to be rejected.

The Gold Coast Titans are believed to be unlikely to support the changes in their current form.

And the Melbourne Storm is also believed to be staunchly opposed.

The main point of contention is the veto power that the state bodies would retain under the proposed changes.

It is understood the Wests Tigers and the Warriors – who were originally apprehensive about elements of the constitution – are now expected to vote in favour of change.

Pappas has spent more than 12 months working on the changes in which state bodies and clubs will be given rep- resentation on the commission for the first time.

“I am hopeful that common sense will prevail and the broader messages of the game as a whole will weigh on people’s minds of those who are unsure,” Pappas said. “This is the time for the game to stand up as a whole and permit all stakeholders to have representation.’’

Those supporting the constitution reform were optimistic but nervous yesterday.

“I can’t say any more than I am hopeful,” Pappas said.

A pre-meeting of club chiefs has been called before the AGM starts this morning.

It is understood there is a push to remove the reform from the agenda if it looks likely it will not pass, paving the way for an EGM to be called at a later date as the clubs work on a resolution.

The commission’s inaugural chairman, John Grant, and fellow commissioner Catherine Harris will quit regardless of the outcome. Grant has been a vocal critic of the reform, labelling it as “entrenching divisions in the game”.

Under the reform, Racing NSW chief Peter V’landys and Sydney lawyer Glen Selikowitz plus QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher and NSW counterpart George Peponis will join the commission. Independent commissioners will be cut from eight to six.

Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie will replace Grant as chairman today.