The replacement for former ARL Commissioner Mark Coyne will be chosen on merit, not their state of residence, according to ARLC chair Peter Beattie.
Coyne's resignation from the commission has triggered calls behind closed doors from both Queensland-based clubs and the QRL to replace the former St George Illawara and Maroons great with a fellow Queenslander who actually lives in the Sunshine State.
Peter Beattie says the ARLC is missing out on some great people due to eligibility rules.Credit:James Brickwood
Beattie may be a former Queensland premier but he now lives in Sydney, along with all other current commissioners.
While Beattie acknowledges Queensland and NSW are equally important to the game, he will not be recommending Coyne be replaced on the basis of state allegiances.
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Rather, the ARLC chairman insists rugby league will be best served by installing the best man or woman for the job.
"We want what is best for the commission and therefore what we believe is best for the game," Beattie told the Herald.
"We are mindful that Queensland and NSW are the heartbeat of the game – no one is disputing that – and we will take that into account as we put together a list of candidates and before we go and make any decision.
"But we have to do what is best for the commission regardless of where they are from."
Beattie is more concerned about the "nuts" rule which eliminates suitable Coyne replacements if they have been associated with an NRL club in the last three years.
In its current state, contenders for the vacancy such as former Knights powerbroker John Quayle, Broncos board member Darren Lockyer and the various suitable current club chairs – such as Nick Pappas, Bart Campbell, Karl Morris, Dennis Watt, Nick Politis and Laurence Lancini – would all be ineligible.
Beattie has his work cut out if he is to change the rule and discussions are yet to begin with the QRL, NSWRL and each of the club chairs about a shift in the thought process which saw the rule established in the first place.
Last time Beattie urged all parties to re-assess the rule, he was met with strong resistance.
If that is still the case, the list of potential replacements he has already started to compile will change dramatically, as the ARLC chairman is firm in his belief that the rule eliminates too many strong candidates who would prove invaluable additions to the body charged with running the game.
"I am in the process of putting together a list of people – they're people already involved in the game and people currently outside the rugby league community," Beattie said.
"If I can't convince the states and the clubs that the rule needs to be changed then there will be a number of people who will drop off that list.
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Australian Breaking News Headlines
The replacement for former ARL Commissioner Mark Coyne will be chosen on merit, not their state of residence, according to ARLC chair Peter Beattie.
Coyne's resignation from the commission has triggered calls behind closed doors from both Queensland-based clubs and the QRL to replace the former St George Illawara and Maroons great with a fellow Queenslander who actually lives in the Sunshine State.
Peter Beattie says the ARLC is missing out on some great people due to eligibility rules.Credit:James Brickwood
Beattie may be a former Queensland premier but he now lives in Sydney, along with all other current commissioners.
While Beattie acknowledges Queensland and NSW are equally important to the game, he will not be recommending Coyne be replaced on the basis of state allegiances.
Advertisement
Rather, the ARLC chairman insists rugby league will be best served by installing the best man or woman for the job.
"We want what is best for the commission and therefore what we believe is best for the game," Beattie told the Herald.
"We are mindful that Queensland and NSW are the heartbeat of the game – no one is disputing that – and we will take that into account as we put together a list of candidates and before we go and make any decision.
"But we have to do what is best for the commission regardless of where they are from."
Beattie is more concerned about the "nuts" rule which eliminates suitable Coyne replacements if they have been associated with an NRL club in the last three years.
In its current state, contenders for the vacancy such as former Knights powerbroker John Quayle, Broncos board member Darren Lockyer and the various suitable current club chairs – such as Nick Pappas, Bart Campbell, Karl Morris, Dennis Watt, Nick Politis and Laurence Lancini – would all be ineligible.
Beattie has his work cut out if he is to change the rule and discussions are yet to begin with the QRL, NSWRL and each of the club chairs about a shift in the thought process which saw the rule established in the first place.
Last time Beattie urged all parties to re-assess the rule, he was met with strong resistance.
If that is still the case, the list of potential replacements he has already started to compile will change dramatically, as the ARLC chairman is firm in his belief that the rule eliminates too many strong candidates who would prove invaluable additions to the body charged with running the game.
"I am in the process of putting together a list of people – they're people already involved in the game and people currently outside the rugby league community," Beattie said.
"If I can't convince the states and the clubs that the rule needs to be changed then there will be a number of people who will drop off that list.
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