Brett Stewart found not guilty of sexual assault

[God-King Dean]

If he actually has said he can't remember anything, it's never a good thing. It basically becomes everyone elses word, against nobodys.

 

[willvillain]

Those most recent stories are the most worrying. Crash tackled her, had to be pulled off and can't remember a thing about it. If true, it doesn't paint a pretty picture. It is especially worrying considering previously there haven't been any witnesses to qualify the father/daughter story. If there are witnesses to support one side of the story more than the other, that will make a world of difference.

Stewart will be sweating on those DNA tests more than ever if the hearsay machine gets into full swing.

 

[El Diablo]

i don't know how he can deny it if he has no memory of what went on

 

[bartman]

Who would do the standing down? If its the nrl then massive double standards re laffranchi and crocket, and it would be comepletely unfair to stewart. He probably would be stood down by manly but that should be their perogative imo, based on the nrl not stepping in in the other cases.

In this case the club would stand him down. But what I'm saying is that people who expect the NRL not to come down on any club that chooses not to stand down players where charges like that are laid this season is in for a shock. They - through their member clubs - will be looking for a message to be sent for the good of the game. Unfair on Stewart? I don't think so - he should have stopped drinking earlier, gone straight home safely, and not ended up wherever he ended up with the 17 year old girl.

Also, how is it a loophole that as it happened while he was at the tigers the titans are immune from scutiny? That doesnt matter, it happened and you are saying the titans didnt have a responsibility to stand him down but manly do? That is crazy double standards imo.

No, I'm saying that was their argument as to why he wasn't stood down. It was an incident that didn't ahppen on their watch. Double standard yes - but that's why I suspect we'll see a stronger common stand from all clubs this season, after the bahviours of the past year. People should no longer look at the Lafranchi case as any precedent.

Again, the nrl would be wrong to start stepping in with suspensions and standing downs now, AFTER an incident has occured ignoring past precedent. If they want to put a blanket 'player charged=player stood down' from now on (ie: after stewart) then fine. The nrl has the right to fine manly for the way they conduct their functions ect but imo not the right to stand stewart down.

I think you missed my point. Manly as the employer will be standing him down if charges are laid before game day, but the NRL will be breathing down their neck - or that of any other club in their position - to do so. Ignore precedent, the game needs to start fresh to clamp down on dickhead behaviour which damages it's standing. that requires a change of approach.

The NRL will drive the change of approach to players charged with major/sexual offences from now on, through its member clubs such as Manly. And it will fine Manly for the nature of the preceding function and lack of supervision/guideance for players just for good measure.

 

[bartman]

Oh, and well done to Balmain for standing down the five players still involved in the investigation about group sex with that disabled lass .

No charges laid there, but they also aren't as arrogant to try and claim past "precedents" - the game copped a lot from the average person/potential fan for letting Laffranchi and the Broncos cubicle quartet play on while investigations unfolded. Put the good of the game first Manly, and stand down your grub until such time as they are cleared.

 

[Kiki]

wait...what disabled girl?? when did this happen? ive missed something huge havent i.

 

[MsStorm]

wait...what disabled girl?? when did this happen? ive missed something huge havent i.

You sure have

Brett has diabetes...why is he drinking alcohol?

 

[Kiki]

can someone fill me in about the disabled thing?? whats going onnnnn

 

[Patorick]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/new...lly-handicapped/2009/03/03/1235842375250.html
A Sunshine Coast woman, who told police she was violently pack raped by members of a Sydney rugby league team, is mentally handicapped, the woman's father has claimed.
The Balmain Tigers will conduct its own inquiry into allegations members of its New South Wales Cup team raped the 23-year-old at Rydges Oasis Resort in Caloundra in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The woman is on a disability pension after suffering permanent brain damage from a car accident six years ago, her father told Channel Nine last night.
"What they did to her was really wrong," the woman's father said.
"She just can't believe it. When she went there, she just thought (he was a) nice bloke to talk to.
"It's haunting her...it's killing her."
The team had been in Queensland for a curtain raiser to the Broncos-Storm trial match at Kawana on Saturday night.
It is believed the woman and her 20-year-old sister accompanied the footballers from a post-match function at Caloundra RSL back to the team hotel after midnight, where the younger sister reportedly paired up with one member of the team.
The 23-year-old woman later lodged a complaint with police, alleging she had been held down and repeatedly raped by up to six players in another room.
Resort management told brisbanetimes.com.au the players were well behaved during their two-night stay and had only found out about the alleged incident when police arrived on Sunday to investigate.
However police would not confirm they were investigating a possible extortion link to the alleged attack.
Maroochydoore Superintendent Ben Hanbidge told reporters yesterday the woman had made the complaint to police at a Sunshine Coast station shortly after the alleged incident.
He said the investigation was "in full swing".
"A full brief of evidence will be prepared prior to any determination being made as to the outcome of this investigation," Superintendent Hanbidge said.

 

[Tommax25]

They - through their member clubs - will be looking for a message to be sent for the good of the game. Unfair on Stewart? I don't think so - he should have stopped drinking earlier, gone straight home safely, and not ended up wherever he ended up with the 17 year old girl.

So they choose 2009 and this incident to start the stand, rather than whatever year the other incidents took place? Take a stand, thats fine, im all for it, but it is unfair to stewart, definitely unfair, to suddenyl impose a whole range of punishments for the same or similar siutations. However you spin it it is still unfair that stewart would cop a punishment that others didnt, and its not like these other incidents took place 30 years ago in another era, it was within the last 3-5 years or so. Yes whatever happened shouldnt have happened, but im not syaing this situation is unfair on stewart in reagrds to the girl, im saying it would be in reagrds to other players in similar situations who were not stood down. But like I said, if manly chooses to stand him down, fine. My only problem is the nrl picking and choosing when to get involved.

No, I'm saying that was their argument as to why he wasn't stood down. It was an incident that didn't ahppen on their watch. Double standard yes - but that's why I suspect we'll see a stronger common stand from all clubs this season, after the bahviours of the past year. People should no longer look at the Lafranchi case as any precedent.

Ignore precedent, the game needs to start fresh to clamp down on dickhead behaviour which damages it's standing. that requires a change of approach.

The NRL will drive the change of approach to players charged with major/sexual offences from now on, through its member clubs such as Manly.

That is no reason to throw it out as a precedent. The situation is no different. A player has brought disrepute to the code and the club with sexual assualt claims borught against them. He wasnt suspended. It would be unfair to not use this as a precedent. Ignoring precedent is not what our society is built on, and you would be spewing if you broke the law and the judge threw out precedent and then threw the book at you when others in a similar situation got a slap on the wrist.

Again, if you want to change things put out a rule now and say further crap like this will be treated in such and such a way, but you cant go changing the rules after its occured or because the player is more high profile (at the time of incident) or whatever reason.

 

[Kiki]

thanks patorick. god thats upsetting...

 

[Tommax25]

Oh, and well done to Balmain for standing down the five players still involved in the investigation about group sex with that disabled lass .

No charges laid there, but they also aren't as arrogant to try and claim past "precedents" - the game copped a lot from the average person/potential fan for letting Laffranchi and the Broncos cubicle quartet play on while investigations unfolded. Put the good of the game first Manly, and stand down your grub until such time as they are cleared.

How is citing precedents arrogant? How is it arrogant to want to be treated equally and fairly with your peers? How is it arrogant to expect the same treatment for the same offence that others have recieved? And are you implying that those past incidents were not precedents? Player charged with sexual assualt>player accused with sexual assualt. played accused of sexual assualt should be stood down immediately yet player charged with sexual assualt is free to play whilst attending court dates throughout the season? :crazy: Looks like a precedent to me.

 

[gong_eagle]

Angels give their vote of support

Jacquelin Magnay | March 9, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/angels-give-their-vote-of-support/2009/03/08/1236447048249.html


SOME of the most prominent women in Sydney - the high profile Eagles Angels - have spoken in support of one of their favourite football players, Brett Stewart, saying they would have no hesitation in providing character references for him.
Spokeswoman Wendy Harmer said many of the Angels would be very pleased to provide a reference for Stewart from their past dealings that he is a fine person who does extraordinary things.
"He is involved with diabetic organisations and mentors young kids, and he gets around to schools and works with youth and he gives very freely of his time," Harmer said.
"On a personal basis, we have found him very respectful, well-mannered and a humble person.
"All of the Angels I have spoken to would be pleased to give him that character reference."
The Eagles Angels comprise the who's who of the northern beaches with high-achieving members including model Sarah Murdoch, surfer Layne Beachley, former swimmer and Channel 7 personality Johanna Griggs, runner Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, triathlete Nici Andronicus, swimmer Brooke Hanson, kayaker Shelley Oates-Wilding, beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst, wheelchair track racer Louise Sauvage, alpine skier Zali Steggall, water polo player Debbie Watson and netballer Annie Sargeant.
Stewart has been a long-time favourite of the women because of his try-scoring feats on the field and his courtesy to the group off it.
Yesterday many of the Angels were too distressed about the allegations to comment. Others were unable to be contacted.

 

[kia ora storm]

Angels give their vote of support

Jacquelin Magnay | March 9, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/angels-give-their-vote-of-support/2009/03/08/1236447048249.html


SOME of the most prominent women in Sydney - the high profile Eagles Angels - have spoken in support of one of their favourite football players, Brett Stewart, saying they would have no hesitation in providing character references for him.
Spokeswoman Wendy Harmer said many of the Angels would be very pleased to provide a reference for Stewart from their past dealings that he is a fine person who does extraordinary things.
"He is involved with diabetic organisations and mentors young kids, and he gets around to schools and works with youth and he gives very freely of his time," Harmer said.
"On a personal basis, we have found him very respectful, well-mannered and a humble person.
"All of the Angels I have spoken to would be pleased to give him that character reference."
The Eagles Angels comprise the who's who of the northern beaches with high-achieving members including model Sarah Murdoch, surfer Layne Beachley, former swimmer and Channel 7 personality Johanna Griggs, runner Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, triathlete Nici Andronicus, swimmer Brooke Hanson, kayaker Shelley Oates-Wilding, beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst, wheelchair track racer Louise Sauvage, alpine skier Zali Steggall, water polo player Debbie Watson and netballer Annie Sargeant.
Stewart has been a long-time favourite of the women because of his try-scoring feats on the field and his courtesy to the group off it.
Yesterday many of the Angels were too distressed about the allegations to comment. Others were unable to be contacted.

Many of the Angels were too distressed...FFS...is Stewart some bloody messiah ??.

Seriously; if they gave character refs then this would turn into an absolute farce.

 

[Parra]

More like they were too distressed at the thought of having their names associated with all this.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Angels give their vote of support

Jacquelin Magnay | March 9, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/angels-give-their-vote-of-support/2009/03/08/1236447048249.html


SOME of the most prominent women in Sydney - the high profile Eagles Angels - have spoken in support of one of their favourite football players, Brett Stewart, saying they would have no hesitation in providing character references for him.
Spokeswoman Wendy Harmer said many of the Angels would be very pleased to provide a reference for Stewart from their past dealings that he is a fine person who does extraordinary things.
"He is involved with diabetic organisations and mentors young kids, and he gets around to schools and works with youth and he gives very freely of his time," Harmer said.
"On a personal basis, we have found him very respectful, well-mannered and a humble person.
"All of the Angels I have spoken to would be pleased to give him that character reference."
The Eagles Angels comprise the who's who of the northern beaches with high-achieving members including model Sarah Murdoch, surfer Layne Beachley, former swimmer and Channel 7 personality Johanna Griggs, runner Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, triathlete Nici Andronicus, swimmer Brooke Hanson, kayaker Shelley Oates-Wilding, beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst, wheelchair track racer Louise Sauvage, alpine skier Zali Steggall, water polo player Debbie Watson and netballer Annie Sargeant.
Stewart has been a long-time favourite of the women because of his try-scoring feats on the field and his courtesy to the group off it.
Yesterday many of the Angels were too distressed about the allegations to comment. Others were unable to be contacted.

Well why didnt they say so before! Drop the charges now, Wendy and the girls say Brett is a top bloke :roll:

FFS

 

[herbert henry1908]

Oh, and well done to Balmain for standing down the five players still involved in the investigation about group sex with that disabled lass .

No charges laid there, but they also aren't as arrogant to try and claim past "precedents" - the game copped a lot from the average person/potential fan for letting Laffranchi and the Broncos cubicle quartet play on while investigations unfolded. Put the good of the game first Manly, and stand down your grub until such time as they are cleared.

to be honest im amazed at your post.

surely the presumption of innocence is more important than the good name of rugby league?!

like it or not these players are entitled to such a presumption , to stand them down off an allegation alone is not only draconian its just plain selfish.

the past precedents are there becuase these players have rights. Those rights are more important than rugby league.

and standing down someone until they are cleared is just plain ludicrous ,we all know how slowly our legal system can move at times. It could realistically take up to 1 to 1 1/2 years to clear someone of a sexual assault allegation. What do you propose as compensation if they are found not guilty?

If you think the player drain is bad now , wait until we take all the players rights away.

 

[kia ora storm]

Well why didnt they say so before! Drop the charges now, Wendy and the girls say Brett is a top bloke :roll:

FFS

Exactly...what a load of garbage.

 

[coolumsharkie]

Angels give their vote of support

Jacquelin Magnay | March 9, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/angels-give-their-vote-of-support/2009/03/08/1236447048249.html


SOME of the most prominent women in Sydney - the high profile Eagles Angels - have spoken in support of one of their favourite football players, Brett Stewart, saying they would have no hesitation in providing character references for him.
Spokeswoman Wendy Harmer said many of the Angels would be very pleased to provide a reference for Stewart from their past dealings that he is a fine person who does extraordinary things.
"He is involved with diabetic organisations and mentors young kids, and he gets around to schools and works with youth and he gives very freely of his time," Harmer said.
"On a personal basis, we have found him very respectful, well-mannered and a humble person.
"All of the Angels I have spoken to would be pleased to give him that character reference."
The Eagles Angels comprise the who's who of the northern beaches with high-achieving members including model Sarah Murdoch, surfer Layne Beachley, former swimmer and Channel 7 personality Johanna Griggs, runner Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, triathlete Nici Andronicus, swimmer Brooke Hanson, kayaker Shelley Oates-Wilding, beach volleyballer Kerri Pottharst, wheelchair track racer Louise Sauvage, alpine skier Zali Steggall, water polo player Debbie Watson and netballer Annie Sargeant.
Stewart has been a long-time favourite of the women because of his try-scoring feats on the field and his courtesy to the group off it.
Yesterday many of the Angels were too distressed about the allegations to comment. Others were unable to be contacted.

LOL What a bunch of garbage!!!

Not like they are Newcastle or Cronulla supporters etc.

Too distressed, that will do me.

 

[Mr Saab]

Yesterday many of the Angels were too distressed about the allegations to comment. Others were unable to be contacted.

Must have been that time of the month....harden the F up princesses