The National Rugby League Club Council Wednesday dismissed reports it is lobbying against the Australian Rugby League Commission and said that it is "fully behind Chair John Grant and incoming CEO Dave Smith," who starts on Feb. 1, according to the AAP. The council will meet Grant and interim CEO Shane Mattiske on Monday, and Wests Tigers Chair Dave Trodden said that "clubs were at odds with the commission were wide of the mark." Todden said, "Far from being dissatisfied with the commission or John Grant, the Club Council is supportive of what they are trying to achieve and the fact they are changing the way business is conducted in rugby league" (AAP, 12/6). In Sydney, Phil Gould opined the support from the 16 NRL clubs for Grant and his fellow commissioners "is complete and unwavering." It's clear to see those in charge "setting up a solid foundation for the future of our great game." Gould continued: "This is not to say we won't disagree from time to time. Having people with differing opinions is a good thing. However, I'm sure I speak for all NRL club officials in saying we have complete confidence in knowing these commissioners will always base their decisions on what they believe to be in the best long-term interests of the game. That is all we can ask." Recent attempts to try to divide the clubs and the ARLC "are mischievous and a waste of time." Suggestions that a Christmas lunch for club chairmen and CEOs set down for Monday "was an emergency meeting to discuss a vote of no confidence in the commission are scurrilous" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/6).
