http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24247958-23214,00.html?from=public_rss
Sharks split as Stuart backs Bird
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
August 27, 2008
CRONULLA could be ripped apart over the Greg Bird affair as coach Ricky Stuart is expected to meet stern opposition from within the club after indicating he could offer the lock forward a second chance.
Only a day after Bird appeared in court for allegedly glassing his girlfriend Katie Milligan, Stuart told Sydney radio Bird could return to the club if he were found not guilty of inflicting grievious bodily harm.
Bird has been stood down indefinitely from playing and training and is not expected to return before the matter is heard at the Downing Centre Court on October 8.
Asked whether he would welcome Bird back, Stuart told radio station 2KY:
"I'd say yes, if he's found not guilty.
"Everybody from me, to you, to the Pope has to be given a chance of showing that they're innocent and that's the position that he's in now.
"But unfortunately, it's not my decision.
"It's a decision for the club and for (chief executive) Tony Zappia but we're showing a lot of compassion towards both people who were involved in this."
Stuart's position might struggle to garner support from other officials, who remain bitterly disappointed Bird lied to them after the offence came to light on Sunday morning.
The Test five-eighth admitted there had been an incident at his place involving Milligan but tried to shift the blame to other parties, including his flatmate Brent Watson.
Bird's deception only came to light after Watson contacted police and revealed he had received several messages on his mobile phone from the Sharks lock asking him to take the blame for the attack.
Unless the issue is resolved soon it could splinter the Sharks, who are in third place and well positioned to have a tilt at the premiership.
Zappia, who admitted at a press conference on Monday he was disappointed at being lied to, declined to comment on whether Bird would be accepted back at the club should he be found not guilty.
"He's (Stuart) entitled to his opinion as is everybody else," Zappia said.
"At this stage there's a process in place.
"No decision needs to be made at this point in time."
Milligan, 24, remains in hospital and her parents are understood to be flying from America to be by her side.
Bird, who wasn't at training Tuesday, is in hiding.
Given his actions, any attempt to reinstate the NSW and Australia forward is also likely to anger parties outside the club.
"As a father I'm extremely disappointed about what's happened," said Brent Watson's father, Mick.
"If you think a bloke is a mate and then he does that to you, he's obviously not a mate. I guess my son is disappointed about that, to be used as a scapegoat, and I can understand that position. It's crazy really."
Brent Watson, a member of the NSW elite golf program who hopes eventually to turn professional, has declined to comment on the situation.
His father praised the NSW Golf Association for its support and said his son was disappointed with Bird's actions.
"From a father's point of view, I'm extremely disappointed with what's happened," Mick Watson said.
"I guess it's a kick in the arse when you get a call from a mate asking you to do a favour that in fact could put you in jail. It's a bit hard. There's not too many people who would agree to that unless they have rocks in their head.
"It just goes to show you what mateship is. Realistically I'm extremely disappointed for my son."
The incident is the latest blow to the NRL in a tumultuous season, but the game's governing body remains confident its education programs are working.
University of NSW media professor Catharine Lumby, who previously headed a research project into the NRL's relationship with women, said the league was already reviewing its programs.
Lumby added the game was making some headway in changing players' attitudes towards women but any major change would be part of a long-term process.
"The important battle that's being won is right across the football culture there is now a recognition that the community will not tolerate violence towards women," Lumby said.
"It's a bit like drink-driving. Forty years ago it was acceptable. Today it's not but some idiots still do it."
Agggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is Stuart thinking? SHUT THE f**k UP AND SAY NOTHING YOU IDIOT. You don't have to say anything one way or the other. It is the clubs decision what happens. All he had to say was "I won't get into hypotheticals, we'll see what happens with the courts then the club will make a decision." Why would you ever say things like if he's not guilty I'd give him a second chance? And what the f**k does "Unfortunately its not my decision" mean? It sounds a whole lot like he is picking a fight with the club and suggesting that he'd like to make the call on Bird and take it out of the clubs hands to ensure he stays. That is totally the wrong thing to say. He's managed to somehow find a way to appear to be on Birds side. His comments were never going to be interpreted well. Read the headline. He created that by opening his mouth when he didn't have to. Thats a horrible piece of media management.
Also "It's a decision for the club and for (chief executive) Tony Zappia but we're showing a lot of compassion towards both people who were involved in this." Does Ricky realize how poor the timing of that remark is considering that about 95% seem very confident he's guilty. He doesn't have to come out and attack Bird thats fine. But to make any kind of sympathetic comments is so stupid I can't even believe it. Just say nothing FFS. Greg Bird is more poisonous right now than any footballer has been in the past decade. Everyone connected with RL should be distancing themselves from him like crazy.
