I don't think this is going to achieve anything and think it s more polarizing than positive.
We have done some great work in the past year in getting this site the recognition it deserves, I am concerned that this will derail all that we have done.
I don't want to be seen as a yes man in anyway, however whilst I can certainly understand the sentiment and reasoning behind this, I honestly can't see this as positive or productive. So in light of that, I am going to lock this thread, happy for people to fight their chosen crusades, but I am not sure this is the best way to do it.
Personally I believe and it is my opinion that the NRL and David Gallop were wrong in the way that they treated Brett Stewart, not only for the punishment but also for their reasoning and enforcing it based on rumour and media rather than through the process of proper investigation and procedure.
I personally feel that it was a knee-jerk reaction to the reports. As such I think that the actions taken were wrong, and that Brett may have had his name irreversibly tarnished by it, however there is no disputing that the media attention and reporting on the issue did bring the game into disrepute and therefore David Gallop certainly had to take some action, this however seems as though it perhaps was misdirected.
The benefit of hindsight is a powerful thing, and I also believe it would be very difficult and dangerous for the NRL to apologize to Brett Stewart whether the apology be warranted or not. The fact is it just opens a very big can of worms and it is questionable whether that would be beneficial for the game over all.
I certainly hope that Brett does get an apology and some how finds some redemption in all of this.
I also think that it is not our responsibility to fight this battle, and feel that we may be doing more damage than good in continuing to stoke the fires. If it were me who was in this situation, I certainly would not want anyone taking up the fight on my behalf, and after having my name cleared, I would probably like to let sleeping dogs lie and just put it behind me as quickly as possible and no apology would aid in that. Or i would leave it in the hands of my legal team to advise whether there is or was any further action that I could take.
I also understand all of the angst and anger there is around the club, it's fans, Brett Stewart, his family and friends, I feel it too. Personally, I will never see the NRL body in the same light as I once did, and will always struggle to think favourably of David Gallop, though I am sure he will not lose sleep over it, the largess of the problem here is that unfortunately, I love the game too much and love the Sea Eagles too much to mount any meaningful boycott. Sure I can stop watching other games, stop subscribing to Austar to get the games and stop buying merchandise, but in doing so, that not only hurts the game, but would also hurt the club more, something I am not willing to do.
I certainly think that if you are angry or feel that you need to express that, then the best avenue to do so would probably be through letters to the parties who you feel have aggrieved you, this however is not a call to arms, and I do not condone any form of SPAM in fact quite the opposite.
I also think that should you wish for your mail, emails etc to have the greatest impact, then take time in writing them, take care and put your ideas and issues in a well thought out manner. Rather than attack, state your reasons for being upset and how that has effected you. and suggest a reasonable avenue for recourse.
To approach the NRL in a scathing or attacking manner will only bring on a defensive attitude, and is likely to get you seen as one of the loons, it may even get you into trouble depending on what you say. Whilst I may tend to ere on the side of caution, I have found through my years that you get a better response to complaints and grievances when you take the emotion out of it and act through thought and not hysteria.
But as mentioned my opinion of the NRL personally has been somewhat diminished by this event and I will no longer look at them the same. How this will manifest and what I can do to show this dissatisfaction, I do not know, only time will tell.
I 100% support Brett Stewart and feel a gut wrenching pain for what he has had to go through at the hands of this allegation and at the way he was treated by the NRL, I hope he finds his peace soon.
Dan