Burying the hatchet ... NRL CEO Dave Smith called Ray Hadley to sort out their issues. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited
Under-siege NRL chief executive Dave Smith has called for peace with outspoken media broadcaster Ray Hadley.
Hadley said on Thursday night that he received a telephone call from Smith on Tuesday seeking a "clear-the-air" meeting. Hadley agreed.
Smith came under heavy criticism from Hadley last week for avoiding media requests and for high ticket prices for City-Country, which attracted a pathetic crowd of 4,635 in Coffs Harbour.
Hadley called Smith a "dunce".
Obviously affected by the criticism, Smith phoned Hadley at home, the pair agreeing to have a coffee sometime next week.
"I received a phone call on Tuesday from Dave Smith, " Hadley revealed.
"We have decided to have a meeting one day next week.
"He agreed with my critcism about Coffs Harbour. I don't think he agreed that he was a dunce.
"I know he has spoken to other media representatives and is anxious to explain his plans for the future.
"It was a phone call made in good faith and was received in good faith. I look forward to catching up with him next week."
Asked could he now enjoy a working relationship with Smith, Hadley said: "Of course I can.
"The admission that Coffs Harbour wasn't the NRL's finest hour is a clear indication that Dave wants to move forward."
Hadley said he stands by every comment made about Smith on his top-ranking 2GB radio program.
"I don't step back from my criticism because, at the time, it was valid,'' Hadley said.
An NRL spokesman on Thursday confirmed: "Dave spoke to Ray on Tuesday."
Hadley was on warpath earlier this week.
In a stunning attack, Hadley labelled Smith a "dunce" and suggested the NRL boss goes "back to banking and do it sometime sooner rather than later".
"I will tell you what you want to do Dave; pull your head out of your bum and build closer links with the grassroots of the game, the people who will pay your wages for the next two decade, " Hadley said.
At a Tuesday press conference, Smith defended himself against Hadley's criticism.
"I will always stand up when the game needs me to stand up. But the CEO doesn't need to be the mouthpiece for everything, " Smith said.
"You've got to make sure you've got the right quality of interaction with the media and I think you've got to make sure you've got the right leadership when it's required.
"I'll never shirk that. I just think it's about setting it up in a way that the fans are getting what they need and the information, but at the same time we've got the right person talking about the right thing and not one person talking about everything."
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