When Peter V’landys survived a scandal of ethics that dragged him through the seven fiery stages of hell, he announced himself as a man who could possibly survive to lunchtime in rugby league administration.
The Racing NSW CEO has just been unveiled as the new chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, taking ownership of the nuclear codes from Peter Beattie after the former Queensland premier was medically retired with tennis elbow of the Twitter thumb.
Beattie stepped down after a reformative tenure that combined the odd charming gaffe with an unprecedented method for a rugby league administrator, that being, getting stuff done without permission from a columnist.
V’landys has stepped into the seat thus far to a warm welcome, one that will probably dissipate the moment Sam Burgess is medically exempted from Souths’ salary cap.
For those uninitiated, the official responsibility of the ARLC chairman is to drive the game’s evolution by making calls on broad strategic decisions while being hunted for sport by Paul Kent.
V’landys will sit at the head of a panel that is tasked with a clear brief: to act independently of all stakeholders and deliver decisions in the best interests of the game, as long as the clubs approve.
Frankly, the chairman’s role is a thankless occupation of labyrinthine dilemmas and demands that probably needed to be addressed in the Arthurson handover, with many who stand in the role spending their vacations relaxing as kamikaze pilots.
With V’Landys to tackle the role while continuing his position at Racing NSW, many are questioning if he can fix the game’s undulating snake-pit of problems on part-time hours while juggling the demands of top-line animals like Redzel and Phil Gould.
But despite the obvious conflicts, be assured there is nothing to worry about. After all, the Daily Telegraph says it will be fine, and racing has adequately governed itself for nearly a week now without incident.
The question is this: does V’landys have the chutzpah to deliver solutions for things nobody has been able to fix since the dawn of rugby league, such as the forward pass law, domesticating Rabbitohs fans and of course, rugby league?
After a softening up period with Todd Greenberg, V’landys looks set to sink his teeth into the big issues, right after he wrangles with broadcasters over where to hide the Titans and checks on the welfare of Laurie Nicholls.
The new chairman has arrived at a time of major importance for rugby league, with many critical questions circling the code. What is the game doing to replace its fading numbers of TV viewers and Burgesses? Do we need a team in Baltimore?
Could the game do with an international airport? And most critically, is rugby league under threat from Ryan James?
Unfortunately, V’landys addressed none of these questions in his maiden press conference, preferring to concentrate on less important stuff, such as:
Assuring honesty
V’landys has promised transparency in all his dealings by assuring he will be a straight shooter who will “say it to your face”. This could mean anything from having his own Twitter account to a ghostwritten pseudonym.
Fixing referees
The new commissioner has vowed to overhaul the referees and match review committee. Based on this, I’ve got no reason to believe we won’t see a headache until at least Round 1.
(AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
Upgrading venues
V’landys declared he will use his extensive political clout to seek upgrades on suburban grounds. If this gravitas extends to a parking spot on Warringah Road, he’s a miracle worker.
Nevertheless, the new boss’s plans could result in matchbox venues like Brookvale and Leichhardt Oval finally entering the 21st century. This hopefully means an upgrade on toilet facilities, which are currently an opposition player’s car.
Expansion
V’landys categorically ruled out the relocation of any Sydney or Brisbane team. But while he didn’t mince words, he failed to quash the possibility of one mass merger or a consolidation-based regional transplant.
Bush footy
The chairman voiced his concerns about amateur regional clubs, and he’s right. Newcastle were awful this year.
V’landys plans to help these satellite franchises mimic the recent success of regional powerhouse Canberra. So congratulations to Cowboys fans, you’ll be participating in one grand final every 25 years.
Additionally, he wants to reinvigorate bush footy back to its golden years of consistent turnouts for grand finals of 10,000, a vision he hopes to achieve by playing these games on Thursday nights at ANZ Stadium.
TV deal
V’landys went big by promising an ever fatter TV deal than the current agreement, and negotiating an upgrade should be easy considering the game has taken a hit on ratings and advertising spend, a predicament which can be solely blamed on Anthony Seibold.
Early whispers are the NRL season will be run as a curtain-raiser to The Everest, however, running rugby league in conjunction with a horse race would obviously mean a reduction in gambling ads.
Israel Folau
V’landys closed the door on a return for Folau, which is good news for the 16 clubs that publicly shunned his services, and bad for the 16 clubs in private talks to have him back.
steveng
Roar Rookie
By your answer, it looks like you don't, enough said!
mushi
Roar Guru
Ah south's fans They're like that mate that has a worse hangover than you. No matter how bad life is you look over and realise... you could be them. Suddenly life doesn't seem too bad
Greg
Roar Pro
The way I see it there is two possibilities. The first Trent Robinson is a whinger. Not content with simply winning he had to have a moan that not everything went his way. The second is that Trent Robinson did not like how many in the media/social media tried to discredit his teams achievement by highlighting a couple of controversial calls that went his teams way. Such complaints also blatantly ignored the calls that went against the roosters, who as the better team on the night, were able to make the most of their good fortune whereas Canberra could not. I wonder which is more likely...
Paulie
Guest
If you knew anything about RL, You would would know the correct rulings. LMAO
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If V'landys can succeed in keeping the mouths of Gould and Kent firmly closed for say a few minutes a month, he will have achieved immortality. My starting point for him would be ,inserting a very large and painful rocket, up the rear ends of the NRL marketing team.Selling is hardly an NRL expertise. To ensure we are capable of funding expansion and other essentials within the game, he needs to play( the inept at times ch9 )against ch10 (with CBS backing) and ch7 to maximise revenue.If as is suggested ,he is a bullying expert on issues to achieve results, he should be in his element negotiating TV deals in teh media bear pit. Provided he can resolve these major issues , he will have earned his keep.And any additional problems solved ,would be the icing on the NRL cake. The code has had too many false dawnings in the past,I hope our " Vlad the impaler" can bring a little sunshine into our future mornings.
steveng
Roar Rookie
This is what Peter V'landys has to sort out asap, as its unbelievable and wrong, that despite most of the post-match talk being about unfavourable calls made against the Raiders, Trent Robinson has the hide and was filthy about several decisions made by match official’s against the “Rotters” which were: What about the last and unbelievable decision when the Raiders ‘were robbed’ with not getting ’six more’ where was Trent Robinson? Just unbelievable! This is what the new ARLC chairman Peter V'landys has to sort out and make sure that it never ever happens again! And as far as Trent Robinson is concerned, he’s a whinger and he and the rotters were very lucky to win the 2019 GF as the Raiders were a much better side and deserved to win!
steveng
Roar Rookie
This is what Peter V'landys has to sort out asap (this like giving a horse that came second a win, in a photo finish) as its unbelievable and wrong and that despite most of the post-match talk being about unfavourable calls against the Raiders, Trent Robinson has the hide to be filthy about several decisions made by match official’s against the “Rotters” who were given the game 'on a platter' and he is whinging about these calls: 1. Cooper Cronk's sin-binning was labelled harsh by Sutton, with the head whistle blower admitting the call put undue pressure on the Roosters at a crucial point in the match. 2. The decision to give Canberra six more tackles after a mid-air contest between James Tedesco and Elliot Whitehead wasn't the right call. 3. A penalty that should have been awarded to Luke Keary, after he was taken out by Canberra enforcer Sia Soliola when he was attempting a charge down. 4. That ball that hit trainer Travis Touma on the head, another point of contention with fans. What about the last and unbelievable decision when the Raiders ‘were robbed’ with not getting ’six more’ where was Trent Robinson? Just unbelievable! What? Trent you were given the game on a platter by the same officials you are knocking! This is what the new ARLC chairman Peter V'landys has to sort out and make sure that it never evr happens again! And as far as Trent Robinson is concerned, he’s a whinger and he and the rotters were very lucky to win the 2019 GF as the Raiders were a much better side and deserved to win!
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Another wonderful, tongue in cheek piece, thankyou Dane. Please keep them coming. A lot of truth behind the humour, very cleverly written.
Andrew
Guest
The humour throughout this seems kind of forced, sorry. For example; ...Could the game do with an international airport? And most critically, is rugby league under threat from Ryan James? As for V'landys. He talks about using his political clout, which I have no doubt he has; but league fans will be hoping his first meeting at Macquarie St is for league funding not Racing. Is he going to tell the polis investing in league is a good idea as they will get you loads of votes because it will resinate with loads of voters for this reason and that, and then try and say the same thing when angling for big $$ for a racing event? Even a politician will see through that plan.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Yairsssss. The fact that the NRL believes that politics & horse racing are suitable fields to draw their president from sums them up. What next? A used car salesman? Or are they restricted to just running clubs?
buttery
Roar Rookie
He's been around long enough in Sydney to know what he is in for, he's been hardened by those Victorian racing Authorities, so he should handle the what comes his way.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Look the NRL is up there with Indian cricket when it comes to officiating to achieve certain results. It's a con job. Letting teams play on their merits would be a useful start. But I guess you can't run a business that way - that is the way of the amateur.
Andrew McCallum
Guest
Great article. Peter V'landys is undoubtedly set for a charmed run in the job until at least the end of January. Then... all bets are off and the Rugby League mafia will turn on him quicker than a Paul Kent beat-up...
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
Loved it. And I am not even interested in League!
Superspud
Roar Rookie
The only way to fix referees is to somehow have a game where nobody loses. Refereeing controversies in the most part are created by losing coaches / supporters and media. A few 50 50 calls against a team equals an appalling refereeing display that robbed his side. The media run with it because it is good back page fodder for us to feed on. I would do away with the post match press conferences as a start.
kk
Roar Pro
Stimulating exposition of life atop Mt V' Landys and Peter's search for the Golden Sherrin.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Not going to predict top 8 for 2020, nor how Mr V will handle his role, I will say at least he has openly discussed what EVERY LEAGUE FANS BEEN TALKING ABOUT, it’s a great start
Paul
Roar Guru
I knew this piece was going to be a classic when the first sentence managed to include scenes from Dante's "Inferno". I wonder if V'landys understands that's what he's walking into?