Brisbane legend Gorden Tallis has dismissed calls for Broncos CEO Paul White to take the NRL’s top job, arguing the new boss had to come from outside club land.
White on Tuesday refused to say if he was interested in becoming Todd Greenberg’s replacement, insisting his focus was on Brisbane during the coronavirus.
However, the timing could make sense for the veteran chief executive.
White has already indicated he plans on leaving the Broncos at the end of the year, and has been heavily involved in NRL committees in recent months.
But Tallis, a former Broncos, Queensland and Australia captain, said he did not believe White or any club administrator was the right man for the job.
“The simple answer is no,” Tallis told Fox League Live.
“Because I think if you’ve come from the game like Todd (Greenberg) there has got to be some sort of skeleton in the closet.
“When you come in and have got to rule with an iron fist, I don’t think you can do it if you come from club land.
“There is jealousy and you get promoted and you jump over people and you do the same job as 15 guys in the competition.
“And all of a sudden you get elevated above them and tell them how much funding they can have, so I think there is a bit of jealousy.”
Greenberg was the first NRL chief executive to come from a history at a club since the Super League war, given his previous job as Canterbury chief executive.
Of the NRL’s likely candidates, stand-in chief executive Andrew Abdo is one of the few without a club background.
White has been floated as an option alongside Melbourne boss Dave Donaghy, Canberra chief Don Furner and South Sydney CEO Blake Solly.
Furner and Solly have both said they are not interested in the position.
NSW Rugby League chief David Trodden is another possible option, and also has a history as Wests Tigers chairman.
“If we go to someone in club land they have their own alliances with certain clubs,” Tallis claimed.
“Peter (V’landys) has been a fresh breath of air (as chairman) because he’s not in anyone’s pocket in the game and he can make a decision that is best for rugby league.”
