The league operated at the behest of the Covid-19 pandemic but still managed to blaze a trail towards Sunday’s grand final
Last June, Victoria Racing Club chairperson Amanda Elliott called Peter V’landys “a silly little man making silly decisions”. The Racing NSW chief executive had put Melbourne noses out of joint over his prize money powerplay designed to steal the spring carnival attention in a state it did not traditionally belong.
His response? “I do my best to play the ball, not the player … Also, I’m 5ft 9.5in and 5ft 10in if I wear heels.” His
election as ARL Commission chairman three months later was met with equal parts admiration and consternation. The man, a self-confessed “bogan from Wollongong”, was one with many monikers. Personable. Brutal. Decent. Frightening.