It’s a great idea. International footy has been disregarded for too long. The World Cup and the emergence of Tonga showed people in high places what it could be. But this is where the gibber starts. Others argue the entire game’s future resides in places such as Denver. Or New York. That it should be put in the hands of “promoters”. That all those people who adore the NFL will just love rugby league, too. The far greater priority for rugby league in this country is not cracking the untapped potential of the game in Kansas City. The priority should be rugby league’s backyard. Too many people are jumping over the back fence. The shitfight over the standard of refereeing this week – OK, this season – is a mere reflection of the disillusionment felt at every level. Like most journalists, I spend my day with my ear glued to the phone speaking to chairmen, chief executives, coaches past and present, players past and present, sponsors, broadcasters and fans.

And then there’s the heavy hitters who have more money and influence than Jesus H Christ himself, all of who follow the game with as much passion as the tradie in fluoro with a beer and packet of salt and vinegar chips in front of him at the pub. Never before have all these stakeholders who are rugby league felt so angry about how it’s being run out of head office. More than that, the overriding sentiment is fear. Fear for its future. Fear that it will fall off the cliff in the next decade or so. Fear there will be no game. The formation in 2012 of the Independent Commission, which seat-ejected News Corp from the game and pushed aside the ARL, was supposed to be the start of something big. A grown-up game devoid of agenda and self-interest. Grant turned out to be a dud who, to save his job, caved into the clubs’ demands for funding the NRL couldn’t afford. When he wasn’t doing that, he was more concerned about getting his head in the photo of Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith holding up the Origin shield. Beattie – unbelievably – is worse, with his Trump-like stream of consciousness on his Twitter feed. He said this week the refs are doing a good job. Peter, less tweeting, more watching of the game.

When the commission was first formed, people such as former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty and outrageously successful businesswoman Katie Page were inexplicably overlooked. There was also an unspoken edict: no politicians. Why? Because they’re politicians. Greenberg? He’s quickly losing the faith and support of a lot of people because he’s trying to please too many people. Comparing him to a politician has become a cliche but it’s never rung so true after his reactions this week in the face of the refereeing crisis. On Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph savaged him, effectively calling for his head. Fair enough. They’re not the only ones who believe it’s time for him to go. That same day, Greenberg trotted into the News Corp offices and plonked down in the middle of the newsroom for an hour-long blog with the fans, tapping out the same platitudes that he’s known for, saying plenty but really nothing at all.

Spin. Spin. Spin. Deny. Deny. Deny. Greenberg then posed up for a series of photos like he was about to appear in GQ magazine and the Tele, bless ’em, plastered them all over their website. Doubtless, Greenberg will think News Corp – which is already at war with the NRL over NRL.com – will now back off from its savage criticism of him. Yeah, good. The media stunt flabbergasted many. Could you imagine the likes of John Quayle, Ken Arthurson, Kevin Humphreys, Bill Buckley and even James Joseph Giltinan himself being so piss-weak? I’ve got a hunch what they would say to the 1pm blog: ‘‘Go [expletive] yourself’’.

Former chief executive David Gallop was pushed out the door because, according to Grant at the media conference that day, “David is too reactive”. The commission since then has been more reactive than, say, plutonium. Yet Greenberg is not solely to blame for this mess. It’s the ARL Commission which has sat idle for years, patting itself on the back over billion-dollar broadcast deals the game always had coming; over-inflated crowd figures that count the double-header in Brisbane earlier this year twice; that takes the credit for a State of Origin series that was brought to life by Brad Fittler’s ballsy decision to pick 11 new NSW players and make them do media every single day, and the bravery of a Kevin Walters Queensland side that was depleted by the departure of retiring superstars but took each game to the wire. The commission has been boosted this year with the appointment of former Channel Nine executive Amanda Laing. But she’s just been appointed Foxtel’s new chief commercial officer, which means she will have to stand aside when it comes to anything to do with broadcast agreements — which was precisely why she was ushered onto the commission in the first place. Then there’s Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys, who comes from a multi-billion-dollar industry and must shake his head in disbelief about how the country’s second biggest football code is being run.

Some argue he should replace Beattie. Others say he should replace Greenberg. But one of those heavy hitters mentioned earlier is already worried V’Landys will walk away in six months because he is coming to understand the depth of the hole rugby league has dug for itself. Who could blame him?

Anyway. Whaddaya gonna do? Go Dragons. At a loose end: Michael Clarke won't be joining his former teammate Ricky Ponting in the commentary box this summer. Credit:AFP Pup's in the doghouse with Fox, Seven It’s the elephant in the room. Actually, the commentary box.

New cricket broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Seven have signed a combined total of 24 commentators for the upcoming summer. Twenty-bloody-four! But there’s no place for former Australian captain Michael Clarke, which seems curious because he was getting better with each summer on Channel Nine. In some respects, it’s understandable because it’s hard to imagine him in the same commentary box as Seven signings Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich, who famously grabbed Clarke by the throat after a Test at the SCG. But people who don’t like each other work together all the time. Over at Fox Sports, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist have seemingly repaired their broken relationship. For his part, Clarke doesn’t seem too worried.

“I’m still on contract with Nine,” he said. “And I still have some other business that I am sinking my teeth into that allows me to be home with my girls. I’m very happy with where things are at.” Clarke’s contract with Nine runs out at the end of August. Maybe he can front its tennis coverage? In other cricket news, Australian Test captain Tim Paine, star women’s all-rounder Ellyse Perry and Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland were spotted having dinner on Monday night with News Corp’s global chief executive Robert Thomson and other News Corp suits at Gambaro in Brisbane. News Corp, we’re told, got the bill. Provan deserves his due, says Summons Western Suburbs legend Arthur Summons has no doubt about who should be one of the next Immortals when they are revealed at a black-tie event at the SCG on Wednesday night.

“I’m absolutely disgusted that Norm Provan is not an Immortal already,” Summons said. “That man played in 10 of their 11 consecutive grand finals, captain-coach in four. It was an incredible club and he was the mainstay of it. To think they’ve gone off on tangents ... Players like Bob Fulton and Joey [Andrew Johns] were all great players and deserve their place, but Norm Provan should’ve gone in before them.” Legends: Norm Provan and Arthur Summons and the trophy named in their honour. Credit:Marco Del Grande Of course, Provan and Summons go hand-in-glove because of the iconic photo of the pair taken by Sun-Herald photographer John O'Gready with both of them covered in mud and embracing after the 1963 grand final. The image represents everything that is good and beautiful about the game. “I’ve been hanging onto his coattails for years,” Summons said. “He was a big, boney second-rower. He hurt you every time you tackled him and he was quick. He was the best backrower we’ve seen.” The 12 Immortals judges will meet at the SCG on Monday morning to decide who will join Clive Churchill, John Raper, Reg Gasnier, Fulton, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson and Johns.

There’s speculation that one deceased and one living former player will be inducted. The smart money is on founding father Dally Messenger — no Dally, no game — and Mal Meninga being named from a shortlist that includes Frank Burge, Dave Brown, Brian Bevan, Duncan Hall, Provan, Ken Irvine, Ron Coote and Darren Lockyer. Sadly, Provan will not be in attendance because he is too ill. So, too, Raper. Summons won't be there having just returned from a holiday in Noosa. "I'll have to wear shorts if I do go because I don't have a suit," he said. The remaining living Immortals are part of the judging panel but there's plenty of mystery around the other members. Broadcaster Alan Jones is said to be one but the rumour that News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch was also a judge is incorrect. “No, I wasn’t a judge,” Murdoch confirmed to this column. “I would have thought Lockyer was a shoe-in though?”

Spoken like a true Broncos man. Way with words: Washington Wizards recruit Dwight Howard. Credit:AP The quote “I learned Magic for eight years. Went to La-La Land. Worked for a while with Rockets. Learned to fly with some Hawks. Got stung by the Hornets. And it all taught me how to be a Wizard." — NBA centre Dwight Howard talks about his career path after signing with the Washington Wizards. Sounds better than, “Look, I just had to do what was best for my family.”

Thumbs up Long-time Big Sports Breakfast producer Mario Kolotas was given a rousing farewell at the Oaks Hotel last Friday after 20 years working for Sky Sports Radio. A few years ago, he had a kidney transplant and promptly changed his ringtone to the Bee Gees' Stayin’ Alive. He’s in good health now and we wish him all the best. Thumbs down And another one gone, and another one gone, another one bites the dust! US swimmer Ryan Lochte is the latest sportsperson to fall victim to putting something really stupid on social media. He’s received a 14-month ban for posting on Instagram an image of him receiving an intravenous infusion. About as smart as pretending he was robbed at the Rio Olympics. It’s a big weekend for …

The Waratahs, who, just like that, has suddenly given indifferent rugby fans reason to stay up on Saturday night. They play the Lions at the foreboding Ellis Park in the Super Rugby semi-finals. It’s an even bigger weekend for … Henson Park, which will host the third Beer, Food and Footy Festival showcasing the best craft beer in the inner-west along with the Jets playing Penrith. Get your guts there from midday on Saturday. Kick-off at 3pm.