Danny Wicks Arrested.

[Burwood]

The NRL and the Knights have both said that we go beyond the level set by the NRL in terms of drug testing, so how would "the club" bring the game into disrepute..... Before this allegation we were the poster club fo anti-drugs.

Wicks is an employee of the club- anything that he does, on or off the field, reflects on the club.

 

[Rusty]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ghts-jumper-may-never-fade-20091220-l7i7.html

Interesting...

"It should be noted that, other than Wicks, police have had no cause to arrest or interview any other player."

So if that is the case, why are we discussing naming and shaming other players? Because wouldn't it be logical that if they had dirt on other players involved, they would at the very least have been interviewed at this stage?

 

[Apey]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ghts-jumper-may-never-fade-20091220-l7i7.html

Interesting...

"It should be noted that, other than Wicks, police have had no cause to arrest or interview any other player."

So if that is the case, why are we discussing naming and shaming other players? Because wouldn't it be logical that if they had dirt on other players involved, they would at the very least have been interviewed at this stage?

I don't why anyone bothers at this stage... how many twists and turns have other incidents had this year? Newspapers and journalists are known for talking absolute sh*t (magnay, anyone?). Half the articles have no quotes whatsoever from anyone of note, except ones from Burro/Gallop who are completely unaware of other players being involved. Anyone here could type some of the articles I've read. I'm talking with reference to 'other players' by the way, not Wicks.

 

[sneaky_is_here]

The NRL and the Knights have both said that we go beyond the level set by the NRL in terms of drug testing, so how would "the club" bring the game into disrepute..... Before this allegation we were the poster club fo anti-drugs.

Think of it like... getting suspended for smoking on the way home from school in school uniform.

 

[Pumba]

Burraston looks for answers from police
BY BRETT KEEBLE

KNIGHTS chief executive Steve Burraston will seek a meeting with police prosecuting the Danny Wicks case to determine the extent of evidence implicating other Knights players.

The Sun-Herald reported yesterday that a number of Knights have allegedly been caught on police phone taps seeking to buy or buying drugs from Wicks.

The report said those players were expected to be identified in court when police unveiled evidence gathered in a covert investigation into drug trafficking in Newcastle and northern NSW, including links to the Gladiators motorcycle gang.

Burraston said last night he would meet with Knights chairman Rob Tew today "and one of the things we'll discuss is how we can arrange a further meeting with senior police to discuss some of the matters raised in the paper today".

"They are enormously serious allegations, and because it's subject to an ongoing police investigation, for us to make any comment on speculation would only be a hindrance to that police investigation, and we're not prepared to do that.

"However, I am prepared to speak with police directly, and if they want to throw some names and evidence to me directly, I'll take whatever action is necessary."

Wicks has been stood down indefinitely and could have his three-year contract with the Knights terminated even before his case runs its course through the courts.

Burraston said he was not afraid to take similarly strict disciplinary action against any other player found to be involved, but he would not act on speculation.

"These are enormously serious allegations particularly what was released in the newspaper today but we would need to be very clear that the evidence is there, and that that evidence points to a particular individual, to take any action, because the action that follows the allegations that are made would be of the utmost seriousness," he said.

Herald

 

[myanonymoususername]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ghts-jumper-may-never-fade-20091220-l7i7.html

Interesting...

"It should be noted that, other than Wicks, police have had no cause to arrest or interview any other player."

So if that is the case, why are we discussing naming and shaming other players? Because wouldn't it be logical that if they had dirt on other players involved, they would at the very least have been interviewed at this stage?

I think you're clutching at straws there. It says that but elsewhere it says they are considering whether to charge other players. I think all it means is they haven't got far enough with their inquiries to decide whether or not to press charges against others yet.

 

[Yosh]

Pumba that article is damning... Hope its just speculation about the phone tapping etc but sounds uber serious... Waow we are in for a bad year...

 

[Rusty]

I think you're clutching at straws there. It says that but elsewhere it says they are considering whether to charge other players. I think all it means is they haven't got far enough with their inquiries to decide whether or not to press charges against others yet.

They're considering charging players? You would think with the supposed phone taps of other players, that it would be enough evidence to press charges. I'm not suggesting other players are not involved, but I can't see why it is taking so long for other players to be named when you consider how many articles and rumours are circulating. The police have also been quoted speaking about how they think our season will pan out next year-which mind you is rather unprofessional.

 

[cram]

Its an interesting scenario. From my experience when they are setting up an operation in relation to a supply job it is the bigger fish they are after. The supplier and sometimes the dealer.

The minion who is buying the gear is not always pursued in these operations. They do however, form part of the brief in helping to prove the charge of supply.

So it may be that these people who have allegedly approached Wicks to buy drugs never get charged however, they may very well be named in the brief.

Time will tell.

 

[myanonymoususername]

Its an interesting scenario. From my experience when they are setting up an operation in relation to a supply job it is the bigger fish they are after. The supplier and sometimes the dealer.

The minion who is buying the gear is not always pursued in these operations. They do however, form part of the brief in helping to prove the charge of supply.

So it may be that these people who have allegedly approached Wicks to buy drugs never get charged however, they may very well be named in the brief.

Time will tell.

I think you may be right on this. People who have bought off Wicks are likely to be interviewed at some stage and may be threatened with charges if they don't co-operate in providing evidence against him. They may or may not end up being charged.

As for naming buyers, it may not happen until the trial - the next hearing in Feb is just a mention so I think will only be a brief statement to the court outlining the case. The committal hearing after that may expose buyers but not necessarily. For any names to come out in the next year or so it may rely on them outing themselves.

 

[cram]

I think you may be right on this. People who have bought off Wicks are likely to be interviewed at some stage and may be threatened with charges if they don't co-operate in providing evidence against him. They may or may not end up being charged.

As for naming buyers, it may not happen until the trial - the next hearing in Feb is just a mention so I think will only be a brief statement to the court outlining the case. The committal hearing after that may expose buyers but not necessarily. For any names to come out in the next year or so it may rely on them outing themselves.

They may never be interviewed. If they have phone records that indicate a pattern of supply they will use them without bringing anyone else into it. The fact that these records will be tendered in evidence may result in person/s identities being revealed.

Also it may be possible that an under cover operative has actually purchased from Wicks or others involved in the case.

Lots of if's and maybe's we will just have to wait for the evidence to present itself.

 

[Alex28]

With respect to the article in the Sun-Herald yesterday, I'm interested to see where the journalist has sourced his information from. Has the police prosecution released any of the evidence? Has the journalist heard the tapes for himself? Is the police leaking information to the media?

Or is this just a journalist putting two and two together and writing an article aimed at destabilising the club further. I find it hard to believe that the police would provide the media with any evidence or information that could harm their case against Wicks - particularly with the amount of time they have put in to the case already.

This article does not provide us with any more information that we already know. So any talk of amnesties and bankruptcy should be put back until we actually have some evidence to discuss.

 

[Apey]

With respect to the article in the Sun-Herald yesterday, I'm interested to see where the journalist has sourced his information from. Has the police prosecution released any of the evidence? Has the journalist heard the tapes for himself? Is the police leaking information to the media?

Or is this just a journalist putting two and two together and writing an article aimed at destabilising the club further. I find it hard to believe that the police would provide the media with any evidence or information that could harm their case against Wicks - particularly with the amount of time they have put in to the case already.

This article does not provide us with any more information that we already know. So any talk of amnesties and bankruptcy should be put back until we actually have some evidence to discuss.

lol of course it doesn't. I'm not in denial, but I'd like to see something a bit more concrete than a journalist saying so.

 

[cram]

I would imagine that the journalist/s may be basing their information on what was said in Court last week.

It also would not suprise me if there are leaks coming from police. The question is are those leaks from police who know or those that think they know??

 

[Alex28]

There is absolutely nothing in that article that indicates that there is any fresh evidence out and about that we have not already heard about. The article is mere speculation. It's a bullsh*t article aimed at destabilising the club further - nothing more to it.

 

[Big Tim]

Think of it like... getting suspended for smoking on the way home from school in school uniform.

I understand that. But the NRL has even said that our club goes beyond their guidelines. So if an employee of the club, who by extension is an employee of the NRL does something illegal, but neither the NRL testing, or the further testing of the Knights found him out, why is the "club" responsible? Why not the NRL? or simply the individual involved?

I just cant understand how "the club" is bringing the game into disrepute, when the "game" has got on their knees to congratulate us on our anti-drug policy that goes above and beyond its own. :crazy::crazy::crazy:

 

[Alex28]

The club has done absolutely nothing wrong. They were not aware of Wicks selling drugs, and I highly doubt they were aware of anyone buying or taking them. If they are not aware of anything happening, how can they stop it, and how can they be at fault?

 

[cram]

There is absolutely nothing in that article that indicates that there is any fresh evidence out and about that we have not already heard about. The article is mere speculation. It's a bullsh*t article aimed at destabilising the club further - nothing more to it.

I am not disagreeing with you just offering a reply, the fact is that these articles are going to keep appearing and they are going to get a lot worse before they get better.

Yes talk of bankruptcy and the like are way premature however, this is an emotive topic and as such will attract emotive responses....

What is interesting is that it seems to be the Herald rather then the Tele running the "...bullsh*t article aimed at destabilising the club further"

 

[Alex28]

It's the Herald on a Sunday - it's just as rubbish as the Telegraph on an average day.

 

[Alex28]

Newcastle Herald, Today:

Wicks drama takes toll on Cross
BY BRETT KEEBLE
22 Dec, 2009 04:00 AM
BEN Cross has a clear conscience but still senses black looks from people in the street.
The Knights' pack leader said it was impossible to ignore the innuendo implicating other Newcastle players in the wake of drug charges against teammate Danny Wicks.

Asked by The Herald after training yesterday whether the rest of the team felt guilty by association with Wicks, who faces six counts of supply and two of possessing illicit substances, Cross said: "A little bit. I am, anyway."

"I'm walking around the mall, I don't know why but it feels like people are looking upon me as if I've done something wrong and I know I definitely haven't. I'm still going to walk around with my head held high as a football player but you do feel a little bit like that."

Cross said the jokes and snide remarks were "a little bit hard to cop".

"I hadn't read the papers [on Sunday] but a few reporters rang me up and said a few things but if they've got this sort of stuff, well come out and say it instead of throwing around innuendos," he said.

"Come out and say it and stop stuffing around about it."

After Wicks was charged last Wednesday, there was an inference in court at a bail hearing that day for co-accused Steven Stefanovski that Wicks was alleged to have supplied drugs to Knights teammates.

Suspicions intensified on Sunday when The Sun-Herald reported some Knights players were alleged to have been caught on police phone taps seeking to purchase or buying drugs from Wicks and those players were expected to be identified in court when police unveiled the extent of evidence garnered during their six-month operation.

Knights coach Rick Stone has tried to keep his players focused on what they can control and allow chief executive Steve Burraston to deal with the police investigation.

"Obviously Danny's got his own issue at the moment and obviously he hasn't helped the club's reputation, but we can only deal with the facts and what the police bring to the table as factual evidence and at this stage we haven't had any names named and we're going to push on down that path," Stone said.

"I think they've been training really well and their spirits are pretty high."

Burraston had considered meeting police to discuss allegations raised in The Sun-Herald report but decided not to after meeting Knights chairman Rob Tew yesterday.

"Obviously they can't talk to us with an ongoing investigation, so there's not much we can do apart from let the police run their investigation and deal with whatever comes out of that," Burraston said.

"We can't act on rumour, innuendo or suggestion. We can only base what we do on fact. We're not scared of anything that may come out of this.

"We believe we have the policies and procedures in place to deal with anything that may come out.

"And if it does come out, we also have the will and the courage to follow that through."

The bolded part is the bit that I can't cop. If a journalist has some information that clearly implicates or proves that another player is involved in this, then give it to the police and the club and let them deal with it. If they don't, then withdraw the article and stop the speculation.

It is pretty clear that the journalist has nothing and they needed a sensationalist article to get one over the Telegraph on Sunday morning in an effort to push newspapers.

But also good on Ben Cross for standing up in the clubs time of need and showing some leadership. The club and the players really need the likes of Kurt and Ben to show the way through this mess.