Clubs set to vote for historic ARLC reform

The Australian Rugby League Commission could undergo an historic overhaul when NRL clubs vote whether for constitutional reform.

Club chairmen are expected to converge on NRL headquarters just hours before Wednesday’s annual general meeting, where they will decide on the make-up of the commission.

Under the proposed changes, NRL clubs would get two representatives, while Queensland Rugby League and NSWRL would also gain seats on a new 10-person table.

It is understood Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys and lawyer Glen Selikowitz have already been nominated by the clubs.

QRL boss Bruce Hatcher and NSWRL counterpart George Peponis will represent their states.

However, it is being widely reported that some clubs have now gotten cold feet on the reform and are considering voting against a new constitution.

Under the secret ballot, two votes of ‘no’ will mean the current eight-person commission will remain and the clubs and states will lose their spots.

In either case, current chairman John Grant and commissioner Cathy Harris will stand down with former Queensland premier Peter Beattie expected to step into Grant’s place.

Kangaroos great Mal Meninga said Beattie will help solve the bitter factions plaguing the game.

“His obvious strengths are his relationships with people. The game is a bit disjointed at times. There’s factions here and factions there,” Meninga told AAP.

“He has political nous and he knows the game extremely well but his ability to bring people together and be motivated, heading in the right direction will be his greatest strength.”

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