The ARL have reportedly agreed to the long awaited introduction of an independent commission. This means that News Limited and the clubs ‘only' have to agree with the ARL's proposal before the game can finally get what it has long needed.

Contrary to popular belief, the independent commission will not solve all of the problems in rugby league. It will, however, will be good for the game and help tackle some severe issues facing the sport in Australia.

The first matter on the agenda, and one that will have a large impact on many others facing the game, is the new television deal. The independent commission must ensure that rugby league gets full value for its product while ensuring it retains control of scheduling.

The NRL can no longer be the meek citizen, oppressed and prepared to accept second best. Rugby league is the most watched televised sport in Australia and has four ratings bonanzas in the Grand Final and three State of Origin matches along with games that regularly out-rate competition. The independent commission must ensure the NRL is rewarded handsomely.

It is also imperative that the NRL take control of scheduling and enforce its next broadcast rights. At present, Nine and Fox Sports determine when matches are played while Nine are permitted by the NRL to completely ignore the code outside the heartland states, despite a contractual obligation to show free-to-air matches at a reasonable time outside New South Wales and Queensland. The new television deal needs to put scheduling powers back in the hands of the game.

The independent commission must also implement a plan to grow the game and that means ensuring NRL matches are shown at a reasonable hour outside of New South Wales and Queensland. Digital multi-channelling certainly makes this easier, yet Nine have refused to come to the party this season and cannot be expected to act in the best interests of the game when not obliged.

A new television deal will also give the independent commission flexibility with regards to the salary cap, the next Players Association deal and possible expansion.

There has certainly been significant player unrest over the last few seasons regarding player payments. A more reasonable television deal will allow the NRL more flexibility with the salary cap. The independent commission will face plenty of questions regarding the salary cap once the new television deal is signed. Will the salary cap simply just increase in line with an increase in the annual club grant? Will there be greater dispensation for long serving players and local juniors? Will the independent commission introduce a dual salary cap system that includes a centrally determined points component to ensure a Melbourne Storm-like systematic breach is avoided in the future? Will the cap remain the same and a fund established by the NRL to pay the stars of the game more, keeping them in rugby league? Will rep payments rise?

The independent commission will have many options regarding player payments and the salary cap and it is critical they get it right to ensure the players are happy, the fans get to see the best players and the game continues to grow.

The competition must expand over the next five years and the independent commission must develop and implement a long-term strategy for the growth of the NRL. There is no doubt that there are enough quality players to fill two more teams. Simply look at those driven to England due to salary cap constraints.

One of those new teams must certainly be in a new market. The Central Coast Bears will be the first team, repaying a growing rugby league district while welcoming back a foundation club after more than a decade on the sideline. The second should be in Perth. There is a strong junior base in the area, it is a moneyed town and there is no doubt inroads made in Perth would help fill the coffers of the game.

One of the first acts of the independent commission should be to establish a rules committee. At present, the rules are amended at an annual conference of stakeholders and are driven by coaches seeking an edge. The good of the code is rarely considered and the result has been increasingly technical and overcomplicated rules and interpretations that baffle fans and confuse referees. The beauty of rugby league is its simplicity and a rules committee should be established to undo much of the overcomplicating of the last decade and ensure future changes are made with the overall product as the primary consideration.

The current video referee system must also be canned. It simply isn't working with the primary problem being the onus taken off the on-field referee, who simply refers anything with the potential of uncertainty upstairs. Video referees then often feel the need to justify their existence with cute calls, nit-picking and pettiness.

NRL needs a move to a challenge system similar to the NFL, where the on-field referee makes a call and a decision can only be overturned by the on-field referee, who will check the video in a booth provided at each end of the ground, if a team challenges and there is overwhelming evidence to suggest the decision was wrong.

It won't be all beer and skittles for the independent commission. In fact a rocky road awaits. The concept at least provides hope for those who love rugby league, however, that the game will finally look out for itself rather than be crippled by internal self-interest and small-time politicking as it has been for so many years.