Boardroom Bull
By Iain Payten
January 19, 2005
AFTER 12 years of terrorising opponents on the field, the unique presence of "Raging Bull" Gorden Tallis will transfer to the boardroom this season after his appointment to the NRL board yesterday.
The former Australian captain will swap his boots for a suit and tie in his first year of retirement - charged with the responsibility of running the Telstra Premiership for his former teammates and opponents.
Tallis, 31, has replaced dual international John Brass as one of three News Limited representatives to the six-man board after being invited "out of the blue" by News Limited chief executive John Hartigan.
"It's an honour really. It is not something you ever think about being in your future," Tallis said last night.
"It came as a huge surprise."
Tallis's appointment was well received in rugby league circles last night, where his honest and forthright character is widely admired.
As a player with strong views on the game, Tallis was handpicked in a progressive move by the NRL to "invigorate" the game's administration.
And though he admits he has never been near a board meeting in his life, Tallis feels he is the man for the job.
"I don't know everyone on the board but I am sure we all believe in the game going forward, not standing still or moving backwards," Tallis said.
"Opportunities like this only come along once in anyone's life.
"I have never been in a board meeting; I don't really know what to wear.
"But I am sure I will learn how things work and someone will tell me the dress regulations."
As a noted straight-talker, Tallis frequently found controversy attached to his uncompromising career.
Most famously, he was sent off by referee Bill Harrigan for calling him "a cheat" in the 2000 State of Origin series.
But after a neck injury that required surgery in 2001 flared again last season, the 17-Test forward was forced to hang up the boots early after 214 first-grade games.
Tallis said his passion for the game had not abated.
"If I didn't have a neck injury I would still be playing, without a doubt," Tallis said.
"I think the board will work pretty much like a footy team.
"We may have different ideas on how the game should be played but we have a common goal - to keep going forward.
"I have been there at the coalface, I know what it's like to be on the other side of the fence now. That's a positive I can take to the table."
Tallis's input on the NRL judiciary will be interesting at future board meetings after he became an outspoken critic of the game's disciplinary system.
NRL boss David Gallop last night welcomed Tallis into the fold. "A good appointment. Our emphasis in recent years has been one of a vibrant and relevant approach to the game's administration," Gallop said.
Tallis's board seat will be ratified next month.
"No one is more respected among rugby league players at all levels and he will bring a players' perspective to the administration," said Hartigan.
Outgoing board members Brass and Dr Merv Cross were praised by Gallop and Hartigan for their experience in helping to run the NRL since its inception in 1998.
Cross is also set to retire from the NRL board.
The Daily Telegraph
