V’landys makes call on Roberts-Smith’s visit to Broncos sheds

June 7, 2026 — 5:00am

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ARLC chairman Peter V’landys says the head body won’t be pressured into punishing the Brisbane Broncos after accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith visited their dressing room.

Clubs have previously been fined for bringing the game into disrepute over negative media coverage, but V’landys is standing up to public disquiet.

Roberts-Smith and his daughters were in the Broncos sheds last Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium after Brisbane’s shock loss to St George Illawarra.

Roberts-Smith was invited by Broncos welfare officer Adam Walsh, a former SAS soldier who completed training under Roberts-Smith. The club did not invite Roberts-Smith and are upset about their staffer’s actions. The Broncos refused to comment on the matter.

Roberts-Smith has been charged with multiple war crimes over the alleged murders of unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for each charge.

However, V’landys said the Broncos would not be sanctioned.

“No, absolutely not,” he said. “The Broncos have not breached any NRL rule, licence condition, or directive. We do not fine clubs simply because an issue attracts public debate or because people hold strong views about it. Disciplinary action must be based on rules and evidence, not headlines.

“For many fans, rugby league is a release from politics, division and the pressures of everyday life. The game should not be drawn into making political or legal judgments when a controversial figure attends a match or enters a dressing room.

“Rugby league is a game that brings people together.

“The allegations involving Roberts-Smith are serious. Nobody should diminish that.

“But that is why the matter must be handled properly. Serious allegations deserve a serious process – one based on evidence, due process and the courts – not a judgment from a sporting body reacting to media pressure.

“In Australia, a person facing criminal charges is entitled to the presumption of innocence and natural justice. That principle does not disappear because a matter is high-profile.”

Eels captain Mitchell Moses has more than just his injured hamstring on his mind as Origin II looms – he is also about to become a dad for the third time.

If fit and selected for NSW, he will play despite the possibility of baby No.3 arriving soon. He has form in this area.

“I missed the birth of my first because of a prelim with Parra,” he said. “We haven’t planned things well, have we? It’s fair to say I’ve got a fair bit going on with my third due around game two.”

Moses had his wife, Bri, and kids in........

© Brisbane Times