Dugan, Ferguson, Friend and Holmes have all had troubles.He sort of has a point though. The Australian selectors are happy to have some players in the team that have done some terrible things in the past. But they are from QLD so it's ok....Well technically from NSW but they played for Mal already and he says there all good now.
Look its a tricky one isn't it - difficult retrospectively punishing blokes for stuff they've done years ago for example. But if its a line in the sand that starts NOW then I think its a great thing. Players that bring the game into disrepute should not be rewarded with Origin or National jerseys. We have to send a message to players that being a very well compensated full time footy player is a privilege and with those privileges come certain obligations and accountabilities. Most clubs will happily tolerate appalling player behaviour from their stars because they win footy games and if that's how they wanna roll, 'great.' Good luck with keeping sponsors.. But for the Rep powers that be to take a stand re selection criteria sends a great message to the community that SOME people in the NRL actually have moral/ethical standards, and that's something we need.He sort of has a point though. The Australian selectors are happy to have some players in the team that have done some terrible things in the past. But they are from QLD so it's ok....Well technically from NSW but they played for Mal already and he says there all good now.
Very true I hope they stick to thier guns as some of the indiscretions of a few of them have attracted the police in the past and the NRL were happy to have them play.Look its a tricky one isn't it - difficult retrospectively punishing blokes for stuff they've done years ago for example. But if its a line in the sand that starts NOW then I think its a great thing. Players that bring the game into disrepute should not be rewarded with Origin or National jerseys. We have to send a message to players that being a very well compensated full time footy player is a privilege and with those privileges come certain obligations and accountabilities. Most clubs will happily tolerate appalling player behavior from their stars because they win footy games and if that's how they wanna roll, 'great.' Good luck with keeping sponsors.. But for the Rep powers that be to take a stand re selection criteria sends a great message to the community that SOME people in the NRL actually have moral/ethical standards, and that's something we need.
He sort of has a point though. The Australian selectors are happy to have some players in the team that have done some terrible things in the past. But they are from QLD so it's ok....Well technically from NSW but they played for Mal already and he says there all good now.
The difference between the others and Fifita is they have served a punishment.Fifita is still being investigated by the "Integrity Unit."Why it's taken this long is another story.Anyone that has any sympathy for Fifita after all his poor behaviour must have issues themselves
The issue isn't supporting a mate in jail - its using the NRL as the platform to show that support. He didn't need to plaster the idiot's name on his wrist. Should have stuck to the odd phone call and visit. The NRL is not a mouthpiece for idiots to show their support for their idiot mates.Mal himself was happy to support his murdering rapist brother's bid for parole only a couple of years ago.
Fair enough if you're going to ban Fifita for the threatening of junior league officials etc, but people are entitled to offer support to their friends or relatives who may be doing time. And until you apply common sense and ban any writing on strapping (you'd think Matt Lodge writing c$&@ on his in u/20s Origin a couple of years back would've been enough of a wake up call for the NRL), it's a bit heavy-handed to retrospectively say "you weren't allowed to write THAT". I mean, would Joe Public have had any idea what the initials on Fifi's strapping meant if it hadn't been blown up by the media?!
The issue isn't supporting a mate in jail - its using the NRL as the platform to show that support. He didn't need to plaster the idiot's name on his wrist. Should have stuck to the odd phone call and visit. The NRL is not a mouthpiece for idiots to show their support for their idiot mates.
If players want to play in the NRL, then they must play by the NRL rules. If the NRL says that you must not mix with certain people, then you have a choice. Don't mix or don't play!
Firstly,Meninga and co have drawn a line in the sand at this moment in time.He was not coach back then so he is setting a precedence from here forward.Secondly,Fifita is not in trouble with the NRL for consorting,that is a police matter.The issue that has caused his non selection is the arm band with the initials on them.He is supporting a convicted killer in a public arena.NRL,at this stage,don't have a problem with him visiting his mate in jail.How do you think the parents of the young bloke that was killed feel about a public display of support?I'm no fan of Fifita, don't get me wrong - but he was already investigated and punished for abusing and threatening junior league officials - if you're going to exclude him from national selection for that, fine. But then you need to look at the unsavoury past indiscretions of other guys who HAVE been selected.
The consorting laws and the current Integrity Unit 'investigation' are a load of BS - if your mate or family member is in gaol, or you like to go out for Happy Meals with the local chapter of the Hells Angels, whose business is that but yours? Sure, the moment you decide to get involved in their criminal behaviour you should be investigated and punished accordingly - but until then, the cops, the NRL, and everyone else should mind their own business.
Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 6 | 1 | 99 | 14 | |
7 | 6 | 1 | 54 | 14 | |
7 | 5 | 2 | 36 | 12 | |
8 | 5 | 2 | 39 | 11 | |
8 | 5 | 3 | 64 | 10 | |
7 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 10 | |
8 | 4 | 4 | 73 | 8 | |
7 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 8 | |
8 | 4 | 4 | -14 | 8 | |
8 | 4 | 4 | -16 | 8 | |
8 | 4 | 4 | -60 | 8 | |
8 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 7 | |
8 | 3 | 5 | -25 | 6 | |
7 | 2 | 5 | -55 | 6 | |
8 | 3 | 5 | -55 | 6 | |
7 | 1 | 6 | -87 | 4 | |
7 | 1 | 6 | -136 | 4 |