Imagine finally getting your chance at a life long dream and allegedly doing this in the same year.
I remember seeing a video of him when he found out he was set to make his debut and he couldn't contain his emotion. Just 8 months later and he's gone and ruined it.
If true, there might be questions over his pre-NRL years..maybe he did everything he could to make the big time?
Mate good point, I remember the footage too, I couldn't have been happier for him and thought what the Sharks did there was brilliant. Also thought it's the kind of thing we should see more of (at least I thought so) when a player makes his debut for any club. Can't imagine how that feels for a young kid.
Yet now, here we are..
For many people when something like this occurs (ie cheating, criminal act, "contrary conduct" etc), the immediate re-action is to call for their heads. Bans for life, etc. Loads of sporting names over the years here. Eg;
Smith, Warner, Bancroft, Packer, Earl, Carney, Lodge, Tandy...
And now Xerri.
I take a different view. They've all royally stuffed up in whatever way, and pay the penalty through the law, whatever the governing body of their sport imposes, or in the case of drugs - WADA/ASADA, and also are forever scrutinised by the sporting public for their actions. I'd never call for a life-ban unless of something absolutely extreme.
Whatever led Xerri to end up in this position I don't know. But what I do know is that he is human. Like all the others above who have copped their penalties, and proved their worthiness to their sports to be allowed to return. None have trangressed since. Sadly though for Ryan Tandy, he took his own life.
I hope Xerri takes whatever enforceable ban he gets on the chin, works hard, and makes it back into the NRL some day.
