ARLC To Help National Rugby League Clubs Hurt By Australian Crime Commission Report

Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant "praised the way" new CEO Dave Smith "has handled the code's reaction to the drug and match-fixing scandal that has enveloped Australian sport," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Grant said that "the game will do whatever it can to support" any National Rugby League side damaged by the saga. Grant also endorsed the sport's drug-testing regime and revealed that "the game had planned to set up an integrity unit long before the recent dramas." The Australian Crime Commission report has taken its toll on the clubs. Cronulla "has been among the hardest hit." The Sharks "lost a potential ground sponsor and appear likely to enter the season without a major or sleeve sponsor," costing the club upwards of A$1M ($1.03M). Asked whether the commission could dip into its cash reserves to help clubs, Grant said that "it would do whatever was necessary to ensure they were sustainable." He said, "I think that applies irrespective of this issue or any other issue" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/21).