George W. Bush jnr called John Howard his man of steel. If, as reported, Howard is a contender to become the first chairman of an NRL commission, then he will need to be made of granite.

In advocating the establishment of an independent body to run the game, it is obligatory to cite the impact of the AFL Commission. The massive media rights deal. The profitable and professionally run clubs and extremely well paid players. The successful national expansion. The pioneering roles in areas of social responsibility.

All made possible by a decision-making process taken from the hands of the tribal war lords of cash-strapped clubs and vouchsafed to wise elders who acted for the greater good. They were detached, even cold-blooded, decision-makers who understood they had a wonderful ''product'' that needed to be packaged, marketed and sold as such.

Anyone who saw a nano-second of the NRL's finals series will hold a similar belief about rugby league's ''product''. The NRL oversees a brilliant, sometimes breathtaking game. One in which the essential mixture of skill and brutality - of ''rhythm and bruise'' as Roy Masters calls it - are in perfect proportion.

However, where AFL prospers because of its far-sighted administration, there is a strong sense the ripping climax to the NRL season came despite the league's inherent problems. It is not merely the disgrace that enveloped the NRL from first drinks at the Manly season launch that tether the game to its tribal origins. There is a feeling that too many clubs are run like corner stores as other codes establish a sophisticated chain of supermarkets - ones soon coming to a western suburb near you.

Which introduces an aspect of the AFL Commission's success that is rarely mentioned. Where some look enviously at the pleasure it has provided, others still feel the pain.

Ross Oakley, one of the first AFL chief executives to work under the independent commission, established in 1985, was this year inducted into the AFL's Hall of Fame. On a night generally reserved for teary-eyed reflection on great moments, Oakley spoke ruefully about the security guards stationed outside his house after constant death threats and the ''Up Yours Oakley'' bumper stickers that were ubiquitous as the AFL Commission attempted to force struggling clubs to relocate or merge.

Those advocating an independent NRL commission talk about ''cleaning up the game''. However, once given a free hand to discipline clubs - as the AFL did with the culturally bankrupt West Coast Eagles - that is relatively easy. Creating the type of grand vision the NRL has lacked since the Super League war and having the conviction to bring it to life is much more difficult.

It remains to be seen whether an audit of the books of NRL clubs or an independent view of the ideal make-up of an ideally more widespread NRL would necessitate mergers, relocations or disbandments. In the AFL's case, only Fitzroy perished and the now once seemingly unwieldy 16-team competition is being expanded to 18 in the anticipation more games - or ''content'' - will enhance future media-rights deals.

The man of steel might not have to play grim reaper. But will have to convince Sydney clubs of the need to financially support Melbourne Storm and, perhaps, clubs in other non-league states - at their own expense. Just as the AFL commission (and some loyal Sydney businessmen) helped prop up the Swans after their disastrous private ownership experiment in the late 1980s on the basis that a presence in Sydney was essential to increase television revenue even as it was trying to cull clubs in Melbourne.

Even after narrow-minded parochialism gripped Sydney during grand final week, there was immediate evidence that the millions of dollars injected into the Storm each year are a worthwhile investment. The NRL grand final had an average 200,000 more viewers than the AFL version. Why? Obviously, there was huge support in the game's heartland. But the edge came from the extra viewers in Melbourne who tuned in to watch the Storm.

You will not get this interpretation from myopic clubs and parochial fans and media. It is one that requires the clear vision of an independent commission headed by an economic rationalist willing to make very hard calls and not worry about what the bumper stickers say. Sound familiar?