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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-over-depression/story-e6frexnr-1225843490978
SLEDGING in the NRL reached a new low on Saturday night when Melbourne's superstar fullback Billy Slater allegedly taunted Newcastle forward and depression-sufferer Cory Paterson about his mental condition.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Slater - who was last night accused of not acting "in the spirit of the game" by Paterson's manager - sledged the Knight about his mental state when the two players came together during Melbourne's 20-14 win at Energy Australia Stadium.
Paterson was diagnosed with depression last year and missed a number of NRL games due to the illness. He reacted angrily to Slater's taunt, but the pair shook hands at fulltime.
"I'm not going to comment on what Slater said. He knows what he said and if he says it again, he can expect the same reaction," Paterson told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"I personally think he over-stepped the mark. We shook hands at fulltime but he didn't say sorry.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...on/story-e6frexnr-1225843490978#sidebar-start
"But I didn't expect him to. I guess it was said in the heat of the battle."
Paterson also revealed he was sledged by Slater in a match last year.
"Yeah, he had a go at me last year too but it wasn't as bad," Paterson said. Newcastle teammate Jarrod Mullen heard the taunt but did not want to get involved.
"It's between them," Mullen said.
Paterson's manager Steve Gillis did not want to comment last night, but when pressed said: "It is something that could have been avoided.
"It wasn't necessary and wasn't in the spirit of the game.
"Cory has done incredibly well in recent times and has been playing some great football."
Gillis also refused to reveal exactly what Slater said on the field.
Paterson, a member of the All Star Indigenous side, has returned strongly to the NRL and he is considered a chance of playing in the upcoming City-Country match.
One Newcastle source said: "Billy knows what he said and he shouldn't have said it. It certainly struck a nerve."
The incident came after a Paterson tackle on Melbourne and New Zealand forward Adam Blair.
Knights coach Rick Stone was aware of the sledging drama yesterday but he refused to buy into it. "They are big boys and I am a believer in what happens on the field, stays on the field," he said.
"I saw on the video that they had words. Sometimes things are said on the field in the heat of the battle.
"It is a touchy one but I don't think there was any malice in it.
"I don't know what was said. I'm none the wiser."
When contacted last night Slater did not deny the sledging accusations, but said he had telephoned Paterson yesterday to "clear the air".
"I heard Cory had an issue with something that was said on the field [Saturday] night," Slater said.
"I rang Cory immediately to discuss it and clear the air.
"What was said in that conversation will remain private but Cory has assured me that there is no ill-feeling between us.
"I wished him all the best at the end of the phone call - and he did the same."
SLEDGING in the NRL reached a new low on Saturday night when Melbourne's superstar fullback Billy Slater allegedly taunted Newcastle forward and depression-sufferer Cory Paterson about his mental condition.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Slater - who was last night accused of not acting "in the spirit of the game" by Paterson's manager - sledged the Knight about his mental state when the two players came together during Melbourne's 20-14 win at Energy Australia Stadium.
Paterson was diagnosed with depression last year and missed a number of NRL games due to the illness. He reacted angrily to Slater's taunt, but the pair shook hands at fulltime.
"I'm not going to comment on what Slater said. He knows what he said and if he says it again, he can expect the same reaction," Paterson told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"I personally think he over-stepped the mark. We shook hands at fulltime but he didn't say sorry.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...on/story-e6frexnr-1225843490978#sidebar-start
"But I didn't expect him to. I guess it was said in the heat of the battle."
Paterson also revealed he was sledged by Slater in a match last year.
"Yeah, he had a go at me last year too but it wasn't as bad," Paterson said. Newcastle teammate Jarrod Mullen heard the taunt but did not want to get involved.
"It's between them," Mullen said.
Paterson's manager Steve Gillis did not want to comment last night, but when pressed said: "It is something that could have been avoided.
"It wasn't necessary and wasn't in the spirit of the game.
"Cory has done incredibly well in recent times and has been playing some great football."
Gillis also refused to reveal exactly what Slater said on the field.
Paterson, a member of the All Star Indigenous side, has returned strongly to the NRL and he is considered a chance of playing in the upcoming City-Country match.
One Newcastle source said: "Billy knows what he said and he shouldn't have said it. It certainly struck a nerve."
The incident came after a Paterson tackle on Melbourne and New Zealand forward Adam Blair.
Knights coach Rick Stone was aware of the sledging drama yesterday but he refused to buy into it. "They are big boys and I am a believer in what happens on the field, stays on the field," he said.
"I saw on the video that they had words. Sometimes things are said on the field in the heat of the battle.
"It is a touchy one but I don't think there was any malice in it.
"I don't know what was said. I'm none the wiser."
When contacted last night Slater did not deny the sledging accusations, but said he had telephoned Paterson yesterday to "clear the air".
"I heard Cory had an issue with something that was said on the field [Saturday] night," Slater said.
"I rang Cory immediately to discuss it and clear the air.
"What was said in that conversation will remain private but Cory has assured me that there is no ill-feeling between us.
"I wished him all the best at the end of the phone call - and he did the same."
