Bunker on the line as competition plots wide-ranging review
THE fate of the $2m bunker hangs on a game-wide review by the NRL of a number of off-field issues, with a plan to potentially revamp the game’s administration in a similar fashion to the on-field changes made recently.
It is understood the match review committee and how the judiciary panel operates will form a focal point of the review. That could mean changing the types of charges, loading and how long carry-over points last.
ARL chairman Peter V’landys confirmed change could be afoot.
“At the end of this season everything is under review,” V’landys said. “The judiciary, the match review committee – all of it.
“That’s not because there have been a lot of instances (of errors). It’s good corporate governance to check your systems to make sure they are operating as best as they can.
“We’re doing a very detailed analysis in the off-season.”
The NRL has been in discussions with player agents to revamp the accreditation scheme. It was close to being agreed to before the competition had to be shifted because of Covid-19, which put the proposal on the backburner. Part of that plan is to increase the age players are able to sign with an agent from 14 to 17. Agents want that rule reciprocated for clubs.
“We’re going to review the player contracts and work with the RLPA and the agents,” V’landys said.
“We’ve saved a lot of money by making the organisation run more efficiently – that’s not getting rid of staff. There are lot of processes that costly that we can run more effectively and efficiently.”
Other possible reforms include a transfer window, restricting players seeking a release to earn more elsewhere and forward-pass technology.