Peter Beattie to forge ahead with policy change without RLPA approval
ARLC chairman Peter Beattie is prepared to push ahead with changes to the NRL's disciplinary policy with or without the support of the Rugby League Players' Association as the game considers how to deal with the damaging aggravated sexual assault allegations levelled against St George Illawarra's Jack de Belin.
After meeting with Dragons CEO Brian Johnston and chairman Andrew Gordon, Beattie met with the players' union to discuss options around discipline, particularly the issue of how the game handles players who are contesting criminal charges, such as de Belin.
Just last week, RLPA boss Ian Prendergast said any change in policy ''that would materially impact players in their employment would require our agreement''.
Prendergast upped the ante on Friday when he declared that "the game can’t be judge, jury and executioner before the criminal process is complete''.
Beattie, however, told the Herald on Tuesday that while he would happily consult the RLPA, he did not need the green light from the players' body to approve policy change.
"We will consult them, which is what we did this afternoon, and they're partners of ours, but in the end the commission determines the rules around the game and Todd Greenberg implements them,'' Beattie said.
"They're entitled to be consulted. We will talk to them with respect. We've given a commitment to our partnership. But in the end the commission has to make decisions in the welfare of the game, and we will.''
It is widely accepted that de Belin faces being stood down, albeit with full pay, when the commission meets on Thursday.
If that happens, it will be interesting to see how the RLPA reacts, given the body stood firm when negotiating the latest collective bargaining agreement, even to the point the pay talks hijacked part of the Origin series build-up in 2017.
It's understood Prendergast on Tuesday reiterated to Beattie the need for them to agree to any proposed policy change involving a player's employment.
Beattie said his earlier meeting with the Dragons was a ''very sensible and constructive conversation''.
While Beattie highlighted the welfare of the game, the Dragons argued the need to consider the welfare of de Belin.
De Belin was omitted from the Dragons' Charity Shield squad on Tuesday and will not head to Mudgee for Saturday's Charity Shield.
Sadly, Dragons coach Paul McGregor will also bunker down and not speak about the dramas surrounding his representative forward before the Souths clash.
As for Beattie, he said: "The [the Dragons] are worried about the welfare of their player, which we acknowledge.
"They'll prepare something, which will go to the commission for us to consider. They're a good club, we have lot of respect for St George and their CEO and chairman are good people.
"This is a really difficult situation for everybody to handle. They understood, I think, the need for us to manage the perception of the game. As chairman that's my job, along with Todd - Todd is the key spokesman but I have a role as chair.
"They have interests in the well-being of the game as a whole as well as their player. It's a case of emphasis. I get all that. People are entitled to express their view.''
De Belin continues to train with the Dragons and was spotted by cameras on Tuesday when the NRL rolled into Wollongong to promote the internationals to be played there at the end of the season.