As the RLPA and NRL dispute enters its 20th month, reports have surfaced of fresh hopes for an eventual resolution.
The Daily Telegraph's David Riccio has told SEN 1170 that a meeting has been scheduled between two key players in the saga.
“There is a meeting scheduled this morning between ARL commissioner Peter V'landys and RLPA Chair Deidre Anderson,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The RLPA reached out over the last couple of days to organise this meeting."
“The RLPA have clearly backed down (and) there’s a realisation that this needs to be resolved.
“This meeting will hopefully start this process again of trying to work out all the differences.
“It’s baby steps but it’s important steps.”
V'landys, who has become a key figure in the dispute, has built a reputation over the last couple of years as being a ruthless but successful operator, claiming that he will resolve the discrepancies quickly.
“Peter V'landys said that he could get this done in a couple of days,” Riccio continued.
“It’s positive and I’m really intrigued to see where today goes.
Despite V'landys recent achievements with getting the NRL to be one of the first sports back after Covid, Riccio isn’t confident that Vlandys will be able to resolve this dispute quickly.
“History shows that it is going to be difficult.”
“It’s been going for 20 months.
“It will be interesting to see whether both parties can get on the same page and how quickly they want to get it resolved.”