I would like to say because we have higher moral expectations for our jersey than other clubs. But Tetevano signing goes against that.
I think May deserves to be sacked having plead guilty. But IMO what he did is not as bad as what guys like Packer, Lodge, Wighton, Tetevano etc. have been found guilty of either.
But as
@betcats said... another person could find what May did as worse and I can see why. The NRL took a step in the right direction with the no fault standown policy. But it looks pretty f**king laughable when you have guys found guilty of arguably more serious crimes running around, others having copped a slap on the wrist etc. for crimes and so on.
Barba got a lifetime ban for the same thing many recent or current players have been found guilty of. Which I think is a great stance to take... but the NRL deadset needs to get their shit together.
Make blanket rules for as many scenarios as they can.
Ie. Low range drink driving. X% fine and 5 game suspension.
Mid range drink driving . X% fine and 10 game suspension.
Do a similar scale for all things players have been found guilty of for the past 10 yearsor so. Tinker with it so the punishments seem fair across the different incidents. And have some crimes with zero tolerance and a life time ban. No exceptions if its a Cameron Smith or a Mitch Kenny. Same punishment fits all players. Make fines as percentages to make it fairer.
Like the judiciary there should be loading for repeat offenders.
If the NRL had a well thought out system that is strict but fair in place rather than simply reacting to the media we would save alot of face and questions regarding consistency across punishments. Things like why is Carney not allowed to play while Lodge and Packer are etc.
The no fault stand down policy IMO is about the best system we can hope for while guilt is to be determined. Its not perfect obviously. Especially if a player like Jack De Belin ends up being proven innocent and has missed ~2 seasons.
I think in scenarios where a contract expires or earning capacity has been reduced. The NRL should be required to compensate them for the lost earnings and keep them paid if the case goes on beyond their contract.
Ie. If JDB is innocent. He should be compensated what he would have earned playing for NSW and Australia, and compensated for whatever loss in value he took as a player on his next contract.