Stand down Nick, says Denis

PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald caused a furore yesterday by demanding powerful rugby league figure Nick Politis resign from the NRL partnership board.

Fitzgerald told yesterday's NRL chief executives conference in the Hunter Valley that no director affiliated with a club should be allowed on either of the NRL boards.

Politis, the Sydney Roosters chairman, sits on the NRL partnership board while Cronulla chairman Barry Pierce and St George Illawarra director Bob Millward are NRL board directors.
Pierce, Millward and Politis - all ARL appointed - last night quickly rejected Fitzgerald's claim.

But Fitzgerald - the self-appointed doyen of CEOs - claimed the three directors should stand down to ensure "transparency and independence".

"These days there is far more emphasis on corporate governance and compliance," Fitzgerald said.

"All 12 directors (six on each) should not have a present formal position with any of the 16 NRL clubs.

"I think the ARL and News Limited should make this policy in the interests of all clubs and in the perception of fairness, transparency and independence. The three directors should stand down."

Told about Fitzgerald's comments, Politis said: "I wouldn't stoop low enough to comment on such a silly statement."

Pierce claimed Fitzgerald's claims smacked of hypocrisy.

"Denis was once on the ARL, NSWRL and NRL boards while Parramatta CEO," he said.

"Bob (Millward) and I were appointed by the ARL and we've never had a problem.

"If ever there was a conflict, I would abstain (from voting). We have the full support of people in the game.

"Everyone has an opinion but Bob and I have worked hard on these boards for a long time."

Millward took little notice of Fitzgerald's comments.

"I've got very little to say on it. I wonder whether Denis says it tongue-in-cheek," he said.

"We've never encountered a conflict of interest and if we do we'd abstain."

Meanwhile, the NRL CEOs yesterday agreed to a forum in the new year to discuss rugby league's long-term future.

"Early next year it will be time for a strategic look at the game," Cowboys CEO Peter Parr said.

"The Sydney clubs are facing some real challenges and we have to look at different revenue streams and make sure the game remains healthy."

The CEOs also agreed to further investigate developing "new media" models, sponsorship structures and venue arrangements as part of their strategic review.

"The centenary season will certainly be a great tribute and it already represents two years planning," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"Today we've taken clubs through a detailed schedule of more than 80 centenary events.

"But at the same time as we are putting those plans into action, we need to be looking closely at options for 2009 and beyond to complement our existing strategic documents.

"Clearly there are lot of financial pressures building on our clubs just as there is an ever changing media and technology landscape."