NRL appoints Supreme Court Justice in overhaul of integrity rulings

Former Supreme Court judge Geoffrey Bellew AM SC has been appointed as the NRL’s independent authority on off-field integrity issues in a significant overhaul of rugby league’s governance.

Bellew, a respected figure in the game through various club, NRL board and judiciary roles, will act as the final arbiter on off-field disciplinary issues. The position was previously held by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

Bellew’s role as the game’s “independent decision maker” effectively hands him “the final determination on any off-field disciplinary matter” which is governed by the breach notice of show cause notice under the game’s rules, an NRL statement said on Thursday.

Abdo and the NRL executive will have the right to submit matters for consideration to Bellew, as well as access to an appeals process.

But the creation of an independent arbiter separate to the powers at NRL HQ marks a significant move from how integrity incidents have been handled throughout the game’s history.

Incidents relating to anti-doping and drug testing, as well as vilification matters will remain outside Bellew’s remit given existing disciplinary codes for those matters. On-field issues – namely suspensions and fines for illegal play – will continue to be ruled on at the NRL judiciary.

Abdo will still determine any application of the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy, which can be used to suspend players and officials charged with serious criminal offences.

The independent position will be taken up by Bellew days before the 2026 season kicks off in Las Vegas, with clubs and the RLPA involved in “extensive consultation” on a new-look integrity framework.

Bellew has proven a formidable fixture as NRL judiciary chair since 2015, presiding over some of the biggest hearings including Billy Slater’s shoulder charge matter before the 2018 grand final, and Reece Walsh’s incendiary 2023 trial for swearing at referee Chris Butler.

Bellew is also a previous NRL board member, Manly and Northern Eagles chairman and served as a Justice of the NSW Supreme Court from 2012 to 2023. Last month he was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for significant service to the judiciary and the law, to the legal profession, and to rugby league.”