Queensland Rugby League Chair Bruce Hatcher on Wednesday denied his organization was "holding up constitutional change" and warned the QRL "would not bow to bullying as it sought to protect the grassroots of the game," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Hatcher also reiterated the QRL’s "insistence on retaining its power of veto over any reform as well as its desire to have direct representation" on the Australian Rugby League Commission, comments that suggest Friday's deadline for finalizing a proposal for constitutional change "looks beyond the clubs and states." The clubs and states "were scheduled to provide a proposal to the commission by the end of this week," with the plan then to be voted on at next week’s annual general meeting. However, with the states and clubs "at odds over the way forward, that timeline is now in jeopardy." Hatcher gave no indication his organization "was willing to relent on its demands." He said, "I almost find it offensive that people are saying we are slowing things up. We have everything checked by an independent lawyer. It’s a professional approach. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. We don’t accuse anyone else of holding things up." One argument is the suggestion that a group of club chairs flew to Brisbane and "promised the QRL it could have its cake and eat it as well." The QRL was reportedly "given a promise at that meeting that it could have direct representation on the commission and retain its veto rights," a proposition that has since been rejected by other clubs, including the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane. Hatcher "confirmed the meeting took place but insisted no promises were made" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/16).
