ARLC press conference on player behaviour policy

Embed from Getty Images

Today the Australian Rugby League Commission is meeting, with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC Chair Peter Beattie set to issue a statement to the media before 1pm AEDT today - Thursday 28 February.

Some of the matters expected to be addressed include the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks salary cap investigation, the Shane Flanagan breach notice, the Wests Tigers & Justin Pascoe breach notice, and several player sanctions regarding off-season behaviour, including Jack de Belin, Scott Bolton and Dylan Napa.

Follow the action below - keep refreshing this page for updates.

1:55pm - ends

That about wraps things up, with Beattie and Greenberg leaving the desk and the questions seeming to re-hash much of what was asked for more than 35-40 minutes this afternoon.

Continue the discussion in our forums, or follow us on Twitter for the latest.

1:49pm

Beattie confirms that Gary Weiss and Wayne Pearce have been re-elected to the Commission. Elsewhere, the NRL has confirmed Jack de Belin will be stood down under the new policy, until the conclusion of his court case.

1:46pm

Commissioner Megan Davis is now taking questions around player welfare, treatment of women and other cultural matters.

1:42pm

"At the end of the day this is a decision the Commission has come to with the game's best interests at heart" - Greenberg. He concedes people will debate this, but it's the decision they've reached.

1:38pm

Questioned on 'consistency', Greenberg says the word is overrated - courts, individual situations aren't ever consistent - and would rather focus on fairness.

1:35pm

New commissioner Mark Coyne is now fronting the press conference explaining his changed position on player behaviour.

1:32pm

Greenberg reports that sanctions are likely to be confirmed tomorrow given the ARLC has only just decided on this policy this morning. This is set to include announcements on issues like the Sharks cap, Wests Tigers issue and other off-field indiscretions.

1:30pm

Greenberg responds to questions from SMH journalist Andrew Webster regarding the existing NRL Code of Conduct. The CEO indicated the existing Code would not have allowed the NRL to stand down a player in Jack de Belin's case.

1:25pm

Greenberg and Beattie are now taking questions, including questions about reports lawyers for de Belin intend to commence legal action over Beattie's comments.

1:22pm

Read the full NRL media release regarding the policy change.

1:19pm

Beattie then adds that the decisions made today infer no guilt or innocence regarding any charged player. He hands over to Greenberg.

1:16pm

Beattie qualifies serious offence as being one that carries a maximum imprisonment term of 11 years or more under the NSW Crimes Act.

1:14pm

Beattie indicates this policy will apply for the duration of the case a player charged is facing. The no-fault stand-down is with pay and allows 

1:12pm

Presser begins. Beattie has announced a "no-fault" stand-down of players who are charged with serious crimes to a certain severity.

1:10pm

Both Fox Sports and the SMH are reporting the NRL has stood down de Belin indefinitely. The press conference is yet to begin.

1:05pm

The NRL has revealed it recorded a $46 million profit in 2018. The figure came on the back of growth in total match attendances (2.2%), club memberships (5.2%), television audiences in Australia and New Zealand (1.1% and registered players (3.6%).

1:03pm

No news to report from RLC as yet. Looks like 1pm may have even been optimistic.

12:55pm

NRL.com's Zac Bailey reports the presser has been delayed til around 1pm AEDT.

12:52pm

Still no movement at NRL HQ.

NRL.com senior journalist Brad Walter reminds his Twitter followers the outcomes of the AGM involve more than just the negative issues, and will outline the general health of the game from a financial, broadcast and sponsorship position.

12:47pm

The NRL will stream the press conference live via their website.

12:45pm

We're due a press conference any minute now from Greenberg and Beattie. It's madness outside Rugby League Central, with limited space due to the SFS demolition. SMH journo Christian Nicolussi is fuming that media are being issued parking fines.

12:40pm

St George Illawarra CEO has addressed the media outside the ARLC meeting after he departed. Check out the video from Fox Sports' Simon Brunsdon here.

The Australian's Brent Read is reporting that de Belin is facing indefinite suspension, while speculating Dylan Walker will likely face 3 months out of the game (his case is due back in court in May).