Barba sacked by Cowboys

[Pommy]

Why does Lodge get one chance and Barba get none though?

Are you saying Barba hasn’t had any chances?

 

[TheFrog]

Why does Lodge get one chance and Barba get none though?

Both got one. Lodge has been a model citizen and Barba, it appears, hasn't.

 

[thorson1987]

Both got one. Lodge has been a model citizen and Barba, it appears, hasn't.

lol New York wasn't Lodges first time at the rodeo.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/eeee64bbcb088129d4ce4d61ef2dfcce

Todd Greenberg: We knew about horrific Matt Lodge abuse allegations
BRONCOS

• March 19, 2018 5:57pm
• by STAFF WRITERS
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Brisbane Broncos player Matt Lodge.Source: AAP
NRL boss Todd Greenberg has revealed he knew about the horrific allegations of domestic violence levelled at Matt Lodge before he agreed to let the Broncos prop back into the game.

Greenberg green-lit Lodge’s contract last year but the decision has divided the rugby league world, in light of a lengthy rap sheet of violence weighing on the footballer’s record.

Fuel was poured on the fire when Lodge’s former partner Charlene Saliba broke her silence and detailed two years of alleged physical and verbal abuse, which netball legend Liz Ellis described as “horrifying”.

Saliba told The Sunday Telegraph; “It started with controlling behaviour, then name-calling, then came the emotional abuse, he started throwing things, physically restraining me, (he) spat in my face, then pushing and shoving me, which then lead to threats on my life”.

The revelations have renewed calls for Lodge to be thrown out of the game.

But Greenberg told media on Monday he knew about the allegations long ago, and took it into consideration when deliberating Lodge's future.

“Everything that was written and said over the course of the weekend was not new information to us. The integrity unit had assessed all that information,” Greenberg said.

“That doesn’t for one minute condone any of his actions that happened, nor does it take any of the concern we have away from the victims.



“Matt spent a long time out of the game and spent a huge amount of time in counselling and rehabilitation, including a specific course around domestic violence.

“We made a decision to register his contract and nothing that was written on the weekend was new information to us.”

Many people have been left confused as to why the NRL registered a contract for Lodge, but seem to be stalling on a request from Todd Carney to return to the league.

Greenberg explained why Carney has not yet been registered.

“I understand why people will make comparisons about previous behaviour, but the comparison we will be very much about the work that has been undertaken in order to return to the game,” Greenberg said.

“So I would like to see what counselling work (Carney) has done, what rehabilitation work he has done and what commitment he has made in order to ensure that he gets a new contract.”

 

[thorson1987]

In other news, good guy Cowboys players

 

[myrrh ken]

Are you saying Barba hasn’t had any chances?

Both got one. Lodge has been a model citizen and Barba, it appears, hasn't.

Barba did his 12 weeks for nose candy. Previous dv wasn't proven.

His only real chance I guess was the first drug bust that all other players get for free

It's a slippery slope greenberg is embarking on if he punishes unproven assaults but lets proven assaulters come in.

 

[thorson1987]

Barba did his 12 months for nose candy. Previous dv wasn't proven.

His only real chance I guess was the first drug bust that all other players get for free

He only got a 12 game ban for 2nd failed drug test.

Sharks tried to get cute and sacked him then tried to resign him on a smaller contract and the NRL said nope.

 

[myrrh ken]

He only got a 12 game ban for 2nd failed drug test.

Sharks tried to get cute and sacked him then tried to resign him on a smaller contract and the NRL said nope.

Yep thanks amended that.

Hmm were we being cute or just bastions for exemplary ethical player behaviour?????

I think we were a bit delusional after popping the cherry.

 

[carcharias]

Well I don’t give a shit
I’m happy his last game here was a cracker.
Glad he isn’t playing against us too.

 

[Tommy Smith]

According to The Courier Mail, Barba is also alleged to have hurled rocks at Currie, who spoke to the club prior to his axing to ask for leniency in fear of the young family’s financial stability.

www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/cowboys/sevenhour-drinking-session-new-details-show-why-cowboys-were-compelled-to-sack-ben-barba/news-story/291f294264011806d05610a40f42a427

It is perhaps a cruel reality that in taking a necessary stand against domestic violence, the ones who will be hurt the most out of Barba's banning are his wife and kids because of their loss of financial security.

It's an awkward truth and a very tough situation.

 

[Pommy]

Barba did his 12 weeks for nose candy. Previous dv wasn't proven.

His only real chance I guess was the first drug bust that all other players get for free

It's a slippery slope greenberg is embarking on if he punishes unproven assaults but lets proven assaulters come in.

Well that depends how things move forward from here. If Lodge did what did this off season I suspect there would have been a much firmer stance on him coming back.

My point was just that Ben Barba has had his chances and still manages to f**k it up.

For what it’s worth I don’t want to see any player banned outright from the game unless it’s for something like match fixing.
I’m for the NRL and RFL handing out punishments and then it being on clubs to decide if they want to tarnish their brand with these f**king halfwits.

It was reported to the integrity unit and given there’s supposed to be CCTV Barba May have just admitted it, which negates the unproven aspect.

 

[macavity]

Who needs proof on a forum? Sometimes these things are not too far from the truth unfortunately

The OP on this has a history of pulling stuff out of his butt.

 

[Perth Red]

I guess the hard one for the game is where the charge is wtihdrawn, ala Dylan Walker. If Barba isnt convicted because she refuses to press charges and police determine not in the interests to pursue him does the NRL then have to let him back in?

 

[carcharias]

I guess the hard one for the game is where the charge is wtihdrawn, ala Dylan Walker. If Barba isnt convicted because she refuses to press charges and police determine not in the interests to pursue him does the NRL then have to let him back in?

Well Greenmerk will look like a goose again for going off too early.
In saying that I highly doubt Barba is getting out of this one.

 

[Timmah]

I guess the hard one for the game is where the charge is wtihdrawn, ala Dylan Walker. If Barba isnt convicted because she refuses to press charges and police determine not in the interests to pursue him does the NRL then have to let him back in?

At this point in time, the NRL hasn't sanctioned him.

The Cowboys have - and said in their statement he had breached the terms of his contract (which would have been fairly strict given his history).

Unless he can find a reason to take them to the Fair Work commission over unfair dismissal (which seems doubtful), then it's hard to see him being let back in by the Cowboys. And given repeated misdemeanours, it seems doubtful the NRL would then allow a club to register a contract with his name on it.

 

[adamkungl]

I guess the hard one for the game is where the charge is wtihdrawn, ala Dylan Walker. If Barba isnt convicted because she refuses to press charges and police determine not in the interests to pursue him does the NRL then have to let him back in?

I'd say not.

Cows sacked him for a breach of contract before any charges have been laid. You'd assume they are confident they have done so on solid legal ground.

The NRL has no obligation to register a future contract of a player with a history as sketchy as Barba's. In this case, the ALLEGED CCTV footage should be enough evidence for the NRL to show him as not a fit and proper person to play in the competition, even if he gets off the charge somehow.

The flipside of course is a Brent Stewart type situation. To take action against a player without absolute rock solid evidence is very shaky ground.

 

[Perth Red]

At this point in time, the NRL hasn't sanctioned him.

The Cowboys have - and said in their statement he had breached the terms of his contract (which would have been fairly strict given his history).

Unless he can find a reason to take them to the Fair Work commission over unfair dismissal (which seems doubtful), then it's hard to see him being let back in by the Cowboys. And given repeated misdemeanours, it seems doubtful the NRL would then allow a club to register a contract with his name on it.

Thats the point though, if he isnt found guilty could the NRL refuse to allow him to sign for another club? Unless they are going to start banning players for getting bad media, as opposed to criminal acts, then what grounds would they have for refusing to allow him to be registered? Cowboys would have had a no public incident/bad media clause in his contract so they will no doubt be well within their rights to get rid. It would have been interesting of a club really wanted Carney to see if they would have let him back in given his misdemeanor was just bad publicity rather than any criminal activity.

Its probably mute because its hard to see any club being stupid enough to sign him now but this is the NRL and its always full of surprises, especial when a player has talent!

 

[adamkungl]

They seemed to discourage anyone trying to sign Carney despite no serious criminal charges (drink driving years ago being the worst i think?), his most recent incident being a silly video.

They regularly fine and suspend players for purely image issues, naughty behaviour caught on video (Carney, Pearce, Bulldogs Mad Monday, Napa upcoming)

Not a stretch to think they could exclude Barba on these grounds.

 

[Valheru]

According to The Courier Mail, Barba is also alleged to have hurled rocks at Currie, who spoke to the club prior to his axing to ask for leniency in fear of the young family’s financial stability.

www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/cowboys/sevenhour-drinking-session-new-details-show-why-cowboys-were-compelled-to-sack-ben-barba/news-story/291f294264011806d05610a40f42a427

It is perhaps a cruel reality that in taking a necessary stand against domestic violence, the ones who will be hurt the most out of Barba's banning are his wife and kids because of their loss of financial security.

It's an awkward truth and a very tough situation.

It is tough but that's his fault. If his family have got used to living a certain way, again that is his fault.

He had the honour of playing sport on very good money to support his family and has stuffed up multiple times.

He is now free to work a menial job and/or get an education to get a more specialised job to support his family like millions of other aussies do.

 

[Timmah]

Thats the point though, if he isnt found guilty could the NRL refuse to allow him to sign for another club? Unless they are going to start banning players for getting bad media, as opposed to criminal acts, then what grounds would they have for refusing to allow him to be registered? Cowboys would have had a no public incident/bad media clause in his contract so they will no doubt be well within their rights to get rid. It would have been interesting of a club really wanted Carney to see if they would have let him back in given his misdemeanor was just bad publicity rather than any criminal activity.

Its probably mute because its hard to see any club being stupid enough to sign him now but this is the NRL and its always full of surprises, especial when a player has talent!

With Carney, you've answered your own question here. The NRL are private entity and have the right to not register a contract if they see fit.

 

[Xcalibre]

This has been an ignored issue for a long time. Look at all the alleged domestic violence cases that resulted in no charge, case or conviction, because the female changed her story etc. whether it be because they forgave the partner or realized they’d be losing their partner’s pay packet, they didn’t go through with it.

For all the campaigning against dv, if this trend continues (it’s been going on for much longer than the NRL have been talking about it) then players/people in general will keep escaping punishment, and unless there’s some proof (a conviction or video), the NRL can’t sanction the player.