Rooster Jake Friend charged with high range drink driving

[Dogs Of War]

I cant help but think that Friend is a victim of timing though. With the Brett Stewart thing still in the media, the NRL would be under enormous pressure under its shadow.

It's not just about timing, but volume. The NRL had to eventually react, to let things keep on going down the same path was not an option. The game just can't keep on taking these hits. Some consistency is what is required from now on in, and then players will understand the consequences of there actions. At the moment, some clubs are very good at letting things be swept under the carpet, but with these sorts of NRL bans happening, clubs will want to be more open about the actions they are taking, to be seen to be on the front foot. A much easier situation for the NRL.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

I cant help but think that Friend is a victim of timing though. With the Brett Stewart thing still in the media, the NRL would be under enormous pressure under its shadow.

Yep

 

[OVP]

Trial by Terrorgraph

f**k OFF AND DIE NEWS LTD.

 

[BWNB]

They are in the public eye. People (children included) need to choose their role models carefully. Being famous carries no responsibility. Should Paris Hilton be incarcerated for being a party girl who is famous?

It is more important for society to be consistent. People are fall down drunk at pubs all over sydney every friday and saturday. Why blame footy players?

Children can be easily mislead. This is why the respective clubs and NRL are taking a stance showing them that this behaviour isnt on.

I think the cases that have been discussed are a bit more than people falling over at pubs on the weekends.

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

It's not just about timing, but volume. The NRL had to eventually react, to let things keep on going down the same path was not an option. The game just can't keep on taking these hits. Some consistency is what is required from now on in, and then players will understand the consequences of there actions. At the moment, some clubs are very good at letting things be swept under the carpet, but with these sorts of NRL bans happening, clubs will want to be more open about the actions they are taking, to be seen to be on the front foot. A much easier situation for the NRL.

Consistency would be great, and I guess at least the NRL has demonstrated it over the last few weeks.

However, we have a legal system for a reason - so people can be judged by their peers in a court. The NRL cannot go on handing out punishments in these situations in the current way. If I go out and break the law in my own time, my employer has very little (if any) right to punish me. Hell, the kid got fined 20% of his salary for this by his club.

And let us not forget he is 19 (i think)...

If the NRL wants to get serious about off-field behaviour there is only one way to set up a legitimate and fair system. That is to negotiate with the NRLPA to set down minimum expectations and a clear system of punishment and consequences which would be distributed by a completely independant judiciary from any club or even the NRL.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

Children can be easily mislead. This is why the respective clubs and NRL are taking a stance showing them that this behaviour isnt on.

I think the cases that have been discussed are a bit more than people falling over at pubs on the weekends.

Children have parents for that. The NRL is not responsible for children's parenting. Australia is fast heading towards a nanny state where blame must be found at all costs.

These incidents happen everyday. Your average joe doesn't get strung up in the media because people foolishly anoint them to be something they aren't

By all means find an admirer in footy. When I was a kid it was Wayne Pearce. Choose your admirerer wisely.

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

Children can be easily mislead. This is why the respective clubs and NRL are taking a stance showing them that this behaviour isnt on.

I think the cases that have been discussed are a bit more than people falling over at pubs on the weekends.

This nonsense that footy players are role models is so over played.

When I was young, I looked up to players because I wanted to play footy like them - and when you grow up (as I have) and you may know some players or seen them out or hear rumours, you realise that a very large majority of them are idiots - but they provide entertainment on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday.

 

[OVP]

I've got an idea. Why dont we just remove all pending court cases and place them in the hands of Newsfilth journo's. They're obviously highly qualified and know everything, we may as well.

Gallop you are as weak as piss.

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

STC is right. Australia IS becoming a nanny-state. We used to bag out the Americans for being that way, but we are fast on our way. Gone are the ideals that people can think for themselves and can take responsibility for their own actions/mistakes. Now we need to be thinked for and babied.

I cannot believe that a ban on alcohol advertising in sporting matches from Senator Fielding is actually getting air-time. Nor can I believe that Australia is about to have its internet censored and there is not a massive uproar.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

STC is right. Australia IS becoming a nanny-state. We used to bag out the Americans for being that way, but we are fast on our way. Gone are the ideals that people can think for themselves and can take responsibility for their own actions/mistakes. Now we need to be thinked for and babied.

I cannot believe that a ban on alcohol advertising in sporting matches from Senator Fielding is actually getting air-time. Nor can I believe that Australia is about to have its internet censored and there is not a massive uproar.

How are they going to do that. At ISP level?

 

[BWNB]

How are they going to do that. At ISP level?

They plan to.

 

[SaveTheChildren]

They plan to.

I need to stop reading this forum and find out what the hell is going on in the real world then lol.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Consistency would be great, and I guess at least the NRL has demonstrated it over the last few weeks.

However, we have a legal system for a reason - so people can be judged by their peers in a court. The NRL cannot go on handing out punishments in these situations in the current way. If I go out and break the law in my own time, my employer has very little (if any) right to punish me. Hell, the kid got fined 20% of his salary for this by his club.

If someone high profile in a company does something similar to bring his company poor publicity, most of the time they are let go. Footy players are in a similar position. The NRL looks weak and that they condone those actions if they don't act. The law has nothing to do with it, the player no matter what the outcome of the case, has put themselves in a position to be implicated in that event.

If the NRL wants to get serious about off-field behaviour there is only one way to set up a legitimate and fair system. That is to negotiate with the NRLPA to set down minimum expectations and a clear system of punishment and consequences which would be distributed by a completely independant judiciary from any club or even the NRL.

Pretty sure thats what I was sayign in my post.

 

[Ice Ice Brady]

I need to stop reading this forum and find out what the hell is going on in the real world then lol.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/03/19/1237054961100.html

That is from today. Turns out one of the sites on the list is the 38 most visited website by Australians. Just a legitimate porn site.

If someone high profile in a company does something similar to bring his company poor publicity, most of the time they are let go. Footy players are in a similar position. The NRL looks weak and that they condone those actions if they don't act. The law has nothing to do with it, the player no matter what the outcome of the case, has put themselves in a position to be implicated in that event.




Pretty sure thats what I was sayign in my post.

The NRL can come out and say, "We trust the NSW legal system to handle these charges and will respect its decision and the player's right to a case and appeal".

The NRL looks far weaker when it lets players go on certain things and then goes hard on other things, depending on the mood of the media. It is absolutely clear that the NRL is not in control.

 

[Dogs Of War]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/03/19/1237054961100.html
The NRL can come out and say, "We trust the NSW legal system to handle these charges and will respect its decision and the player's right to a case and appeal".

The NRL looks far weaker when it lets players go on certain things and then goes hard on other things, depending on the mood of the media. It is absolutely clear that the NRL is not in control.

No, this is the first season the NRL has really gone in hard. Previously it was only when there was no doubt the player had done what was suggested.

You will find that a lot of these issues will dissapear as players taking more responsibility of the situations they put themsevles into. It's not to say it won't happen, but just not at the same volume it has been.

The media is having a field day only because this has been the same tune the NRL has played for the last 5 years at the start of the season.

 

[myanonymoususername]

hear hear. Watmough would get sacked from many employers for that.

I would say about 95% would have sacked him.

 

[myanonymoususername]

If someone high profile in a company does something similar to bring his company poor publicity, most of the time they are let go. Footy players are in a similar position. The NRL looks weak and that they condone those actions if they don't act. The law has nothing to do with it, the player no matter what the outcome of the case, has put themselves in a position to be implicated in that event.

Exactly. If I were to get smashed at a function and embarass the company in the presence of our clients, I'm sure I'd be told not to bother showing up on Monday, or ever.

 

[Kiki]

wait so let me get this straight...Friend fined 10 grand for committing A CRIME.Seymour fined double that for....being pissed.

WHAAAAA?

 

[SaveTheChildren]

wait so let me get this straight...Friend fined 10 grand for committing A CRIME.Seymour fined double that for....being pissed.

WHAAAAA?

Cronulla has lost the plot since the Bird incident.

 

[BWNB]

Cronulla has lost the plot since the Bird incident.

They have but they did have to act.