Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant said that National Rugby League teams "have forfeited their independence by voting in a bloc," according to Phil Lutton of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Grant "has called for a show of leadership among disgruntled clubs in a last-ditch effort to reignite failed funding talks." He could be in the last few weeks of his role "unless he can convince the 14 clubs to call off the attack dogs" ahead of a meeting on Dec. 20 in which they "stand to vote him out of office." In the meantime, Grant has called for some senior club figures to "swim against the tide and signal their willingness to return to the table" for new talks later this week or early next week. He "remains convinced bridges are only charred, not burned." Grant: "The strength of this game, especially in the commission's view, is independence. That was decided by the founding fathers of the commission from a constitutional point of view. Independence is really important. When you vote as a bloc, you give up your independence." But Grant "stands to be disappointed" if he hopes the attitude among the 14 clubs (minus the NRL-run Titans and Knights) has "softened." Tempers remain "burning hot" and club leaders "have been left reeling from what they perceive to be a massive breach of trust" (SMH, 11/29).
