He’s been the target of derision but outgoing Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie has defended his record, saying the game is better for his two years in charge.
Beattie will undertake one of his final duties as the head of the game at Sunday’s NRL grand final before he steps down to make way for Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys on October 30.
He will also step down as deputy chairman of the Rugby League International Federation following the World Cup 9s, with fellow ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce to take his spot on the board.
It will bring to an end his 2-1/2 years in the game which have been marked by controversy, significant strides in the growth of rugby league and the occasional gaffe.
The “no-fault” stand down rule, which allows the NRL to sideline any player who is charged with a serious crime which carries a jail sentence of 11 years or more, will be his lasting legacy.
While it was met by fierce opposition from the Rugby League Players Association and survived a Federal Court Challenge by Jack de Belin, he said it was for the good of future broadcast deals, the game’s revenue and players’ salaries.
“It’s really important because that will encourage a whole new generation of young men and women to play the game,” Beattie told AAP.
“I know I’m a baby boomer and probably breaking all the rules of political correctness but the reality is mothers will still decide whether their little boys or girls play rugby league.”
The rule was drafted after a disastrous off-season, dubbed the game’s “summer from hell” and Beattie said he took pride in the fact there had been no major incidents since its introduction in February.
“I’m not saying that in the future there won’t be something that happens, we’re dealing with humans and from time to time things will happen,” he said.
“We’re down to two teams, we’ve had 14 that have had their Mad Mondays, there’s not been one issue. Without trying to tempt fate, I do think it has had an impact.”
He will remain on the independent commission for the time being but his term expires in February.
He passes the baton to V’landys at a crucial time with NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg to hand down a blueprint for future expansion in December and the game about to negotiate its next TV deal.
Asked about his proudest achievements, Beattie pointed to his record of growing the international and women’s games, taking State of Origin games interstate, Fiji’s inclusion in the NSW Cup in 2021 and the peace he brokered between the ARLC and NRL clubs.
“And we’re in the black, that means we’ve allocated an extra $9.1 million this year towards grassroots football,” he said.
