NSWRL could lose Origin as V’landys threatens to fund, Gallen says Tigers must back or fire Maguire

The NSWRL has received a legal letter from the ARL Commission threatening to withdraw its funding in a move that could lead to the NRL taking control of the Home State team.

The two sides have been quarreling since controversial NSWRL board elections in late February, when Roosters supremo Nick Politis and Bulldogs legend George Peponis quit after Cronulla CEO Dino Mezzatesta was told that he was not eligible to be a director due to a “conflict of interest”.

The ARL Commission told NSWRL it had until Friday to call a new election or its multi-million dollar funding would be withdrawn.

In the letter signed by Commission Chairman Peter V’landys, he also warned NSWRL that it would contact members of the state body to consult on a direct funding model.

This means they would essentially cut NSWRL out of the loop so that NSW Cup clubs and other community bodies are part of the ARL Commission setup rather than the state organisation.

This has the potential to lead to the NSWRL losing control of the Home State men’s and women’s teams, which is its biggest source of income.

“If the NSWRL fails to remedy the situation, the Commission cannot have confidence that the NSWRL is able to properly discharge its obligations under which the Commission provides funding to the NSWRL in respect of the administration of rugby league in NSW and the Home State respectively.”

NSWRL CEO David Trodden has yet to publicly respond to the requests.

Gallen says Tigers need to support or fire Maguire

Former NSW captain Paul Gallen would re-sign coach Michael Maguire for “another three or four years” if he was in charge of the Wests Tigers.

Gallen told Wide World of Sports Radio that no one seems responsible at the club for their current state of disarray and the roster needs a major overhaul.

“I think they have to support him or move on, support him or fire him, so to speak, support him and say he’s going to be the coach,” Gallen said.

“I would sign him for another three or four years. It will take this club, in my opinion, another two or three years to get by because of the contracts they have at the moment.

“So back him up and sign him to a longer term deal and let him try to get the club out of this and keep playing or else you’ll have to move on.

“You better take the bandage off as soon as possible.”