BULLDOGS legend Steve Mortimer has called for News Ltd and the ARL to hand over control of rugby league to an independent commission to ensure the future of the code.
Mortimer described the NRL as a "dysfunctional" ruling body hamstrung by the self-interest and political agendas of its co-partners that wasn't serving the best interests of the game.
The former NSW and Australian halfback has outlined his rescue plan for rugby league to The Sun-Herald, which revolves around the establishment of a nine-person board to head up the independent commission. He said the game was in disarray and the new body's top priority would be to solve the current problems, including:
- Putting an end to the spate of mid-season player movements
- Slowing the exodus of players to Super League
- Preventing the AFL from making further inroads at grassroots level
- Saving the game from dying in country areas
- Making rugby league a truly national game.
Mortimer has been disillusioned with the NRL's lack of leadership and the general direction of the game for many years. But the final straw was the disruption and fan outrage over mid-season player movements and signing announcements, which reached its lowest point during Craig Wing's very public decision to join South Sydney from next year.
"I fear for our code," Mortimer said. "The game will never die, but it will never thrive until we put the game's agenda before our own.
"We're coming up to 100 years of celebration of rugby league [in 2008] and I believe the greatest gift the game can give itself in its centenary is the establishment of an independent commission.
"The ARL must relieve itself of duty, while News Ltd is either bought out of the game or asked to step away.
"The only agenda for the commission would be to grow the game, while right now everyone has their own agenda. I don't believe a publishing company should run the game, while the ARL hasn't moved with the times and have a lot of people in it for themselves.
"I love the game and that's why I'm speaking out now."
Mortimer said News Ltd had brought much-needed commercial expertise and business acumen to the game following the Super League war. However, he said it was inappropriate for a media company to run the game and said that long-term broadcast rights could be offered as an incentive to relinquish control.
He also criticised the ARL for its inability to bring its various chapters, such as the NSWRL and CRL, under the one banner and claimed many of its administrators were "old-school people that are in it for themselves".
Under Mortimer's proposal, the ARL and News Ltd could nominate for positions on the commission, which he likened to the AFL's management structure. He also threw up a list of potential board members including NRL boss David Gallop, businessmen James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch, former Broncos forward Shane Webcke and Harvey Norman managing director and NRL board member Katie Page.
"The guy in the middle is David Gallop, whom I rate as a very decent person," Mortimer said.
"On the commission he would make the step from being a pacifist to a true leader in consultation with his fellow commissioners."
The 51-year-old said there were many lessons to be learnt from the AFL, which he described as a genuine threat to rugby league. He pointed to the AFL's increasing revenue, participation levels and membership figures - gains which he claimed were, for the most part, being made at rugby league's expense.
"The growth of the AFL at the expense of rugby league because of the infighting is phenomenal," he said.
The former Blues captain said the commission, which he estimated could be set up in 18 months if both parties co-operated, would ultimately work through the issues affecting rugby league. However, he put forward his own initiatives, including:
- Establishment of a draft
- Player movements to be put back to the end of the season
- Reintroduction or relocation of teams to Perth and Adelaide to make rugby league a truly national game.
Mortimer, who said he was prepared to be involved should the new governing body become a reality, stressed his only motivation for speaking out was the welfare of the game.
"I'd hope that one day when I'm 80 I'd like to look back and see rugby league in a fine state," he said. "I'd like to see it standing on its own two feet as a truly Australasian game.
"We certainly ain't going anywhere at the moment."
Steve, go and see Terry Rowney if your that desperate for a job, he employees your son for what its worth. perhaps you may know when a referee calls time off you need to stop the offical clock.
Mortimer described the NRL as a "dysfunctional" ruling body hamstrung by the self-interest and political agendas of its co-partners that wasn't serving the best interests of the game.
The former NSW and Australian halfback has outlined his rescue plan for rugby league to The Sun-Herald, which revolves around the establishment of a nine-person board to head up the independent commission. He said the game was in disarray and the new body's top priority would be to solve the current problems, including:
- Putting an end to the spate of mid-season player movements
- Slowing the exodus of players to Super League
- Preventing the AFL from making further inroads at grassroots level
- Saving the game from dying in country areas
- Making rugby league a truly national game.
Mortimer has been disillusioned with the NRL's lack of leadership and the general direction of the game for many years. But the final straw was the disruption and fan outrage over mid-season player movements and signing announcements, which reached its lowest point during Craig Wing's very public decision to join South Sydney from next year.
"I fear for our code," Mortimer said. "The game will never die, but it will never thrive until we put the game's agenda before our own.
"We're coming up to 100 years of celebration of rugby league [in 2008] and I believe the greatest gift the game can give itself in its centenary is the establishment of an independent commission.
"The ARL must relieve itself of duty, while News Ltd is either bought out of the game or asked to step away.
"The only agenda for the commission would be to grow the game, while right now everyone has their own agenda. I don't believe a publishing company should run the game, while the ARL hasn't moved with the times and have a lot of people in it for themselves.
"I love the game and that's why I'm speaking out now."
Mortimer said News Ltd had brought much-needed commercial expertise and business acumen to the game following the Super League war. However, he said it was inappropriate for a media company to run the game and said that long-term broadcast rights could be offered as an incentive to relinquish control.
He also criticised the ARL for its inability to bring its various chapters, such as the NSWRL and CRL, under the one banner and claimed many of its administrators were "old-school people that are in it for themselves".
Under Mortimer's proposal, the ARL and News Ltd could nominate for positions on the commission, which he likened to the AFL's management structure. He also threw up a list of potential board members including NRL boss David Gallop, businessmen James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch, former Broncos forward Shane Webcke and Harvey Norman managing director and NRL board member Katie Page.
"The guy in the middle is David Gallop, whom I rate as a very decent person," Mortimer said.
"On the commission he would make the step from being a pacifist to a true leader in consultation with his fellow commissioners."
The 51-year-old said there were many lessons to be learnt from the AFL, which he described as a genuine threat to rugby league. He pointed to the AFL's increasing revenue, participation levels and membership figures - gains which he claimed were, for the most part, being made at rugby league's expense.
"The growth of the AFL at the expense of rugby league because of the infighting is phenomenal," he said.
The former Blues captain said the commission, which he estimated could be set up in 18 months if both parties co-operated, would ultimately work through the issues affecting rugby league. However, he put forward his own initiatives, including:
- Establishment of a draft
- Player movements to be put back to the end of the season
- Reintroduction or relocation of teams to Perth and Adelaide to make rugby league a truly national game.
Mortimer, who said he was prepared to be involved should the new governing body become a reality, stressed his only motivation for speaking out was the welfare of the game.
"I'd hope that one day when I'm 80 I'd like to look back and see rugby league in a fine state," he said. "I'd like to see it standing on its own two feet as a truly Australasian game.
"We certainly ain't going anywhere at the moment."
Steve, go and see Terry Rowney if your that desperate for a job, he employees your son for what its worth. perhaps you may know when a referee calls time off you need to stop the offical clock.
:sarcasm: :crazy: :sarcasm: But would like to gain a few players for a change instead of constantly seein them go over the seasons. ](*,)
