As this stage, it remains as an allegation. Until we hear otherwise, its best to keep it within that context.
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Gower in drunken groping allegation
December 21, 2005 - 8:19PM
Penrith halfback Craig Gower is at the centre of another alcohol-fuelled incident in rugby league, with allegations the international footballer groped the daughter of a prominent former player after a charity golf event.
Gower was at the presentation dinner for the Jack Newton Celebrity Golf Classic at Peregian Waters in the Sunshine Coast when the alleged incident occurred.
The Nine Network reported that the 27-year-old had groped the woman and later became involved in separate heated altercations with both the former player and his son.
It was further alleged that Gower - who was thrown out of the Australian rugby league team for exposing himself to a tourist in 1999 and fined $3000 for breaking a NSW rugby league curfew last year - was kicked out of the official function, had walked around the resort naked and crashed a golf cart.
Gower did not return calls on Wednesday but on Tuesday he strenuously denied any wrong doing to AAP.
"I'm up here to have a good time and that's it. What, I can't go out and enjoy myself?," he said.
"At the end of the day I am a normal bloke. I'm no better than anybody else.
"As long as I respect others, that's the main thing."
On Wednesday, his stance had altered somewhat, admitting in a statement he had pushed the boundaries on Monday night.
In the same statement tournament host
Jack Newton said "unfortunately Craig Gower probably crossed the line on one occasion" but
described the allegations as unsubstantiated.
Alcohol consumption in rugby league had come under the microscope after ex-Australian coach Wayne Bennett spoke about binge drinking's affect on the NRL last week.
"I'm sick of the drunks and I'm sick of our game being dragged through every media outlet in the country every time some guy behaves badly," Bennett said.
Footage on Nine News recorded event emcee Billy J Smith asking Gower about alcohol on the recent Kangaroo tour to Great Britain and France.
"What about this drinking they reckon has been happening over there?" Smith asked.
Gower's first words were beeped out and he continued: "I'm just trying to get into it now."
Penrith football manager Mick Leary said the club would conduct a full investigation into the alleged incidents and would have a finding by year's end.
"Put it this way - my holidays are gone," Leary said.
"I will put recommendations to the Panthers board for their final decision."
Leary would not confirm if Gower would be sacked if some or all of the allegations proved correct but he made it clear that even if the player was supposedly on a break he was still representing the club.
"Players sign a contract that starts on the first of November and finishes on the thirtieth of October," Leary said.
"They have an NRL contract and I believe they are then representing their club and the NRL for that period of time."
"It's like with any business. When is your down time, when is your free time? I suppose you've got plenty of it as long as you don't go and run out and do something stupid with it."
The NRL has backed Penrith's investigation with a spokesperson saying the body would wait until the club passed down its findings before commenting specifically.
Gower's manager Greg Willett described Gower as a "great role model".
"He just denies it. He said that's not how it was. I can only vouch for his character," Willett said.
"It was his bucks night. Everyone was buying him beers and that, he had two days of a bucks party and things like that."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Gower-in-drunken-groping-allegation/2005/12/21/1135032077003.html
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Gower furious at reports he was drunk
December 20, 2005 - 7:14PM
Australian rugby league halfback Craig Gower has rejected a report he was "as full as Santa's toy sack on Christmas Eve" while at a charity golf event.
The Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper on Tuesday said Gower competed in Monday's first round at the two-day Jack Newton Celebrity Golf Classic at Peregian Waters "still feeling the effects of what must have been a heavy Sunday night".
The Penrith skipper arrived at the opening tee and according to the newspaper "put down his Crown Lager for long enough to drill his opening tee shot straight down the middle of the first".
A disappointed
Gower said he had done nothing wrong.
"I'm up here to have a good time and that's it. What, I can't go out and enjoy myself?," he said.
"At the end of the day I am a normal bloke. I'm no better than anybody else.
"As long as I respect others, that's the main thing.
"Just because you turn up with a beer in your hand, that means you're full?"
A Penrith spokesman said the National Rugby League club had not received any complaint.
"The fact that Craig Gower turned up (for the event) when he is on holiday speaks for itself," he said.
"If he had a few drinks the night before he is quite entitled to given he is on holiday and has just finished a very long and hard representative season."
The Golf Classic's publicity consultant Kristy Doyle also said there had been no complaints regarding Gower.
"Craig wasn't the only one with a beer in his hand playing golf yesterday," she said.
"They are all winding down from their heavy schedules. There is no trouble at all and there never has been at these tournaments."
Alcohol consumption in rugby league had come under the microscope after ex-Australian coach Wayne Bennett spoke about binge drinking's affect on the NRL last week.
"I'm sick of the drunks and I'm sick of our game being dragged through every media outlet in the country every time some guy behaves badly," Bennett said.
The Golf Classic - which concluded on Tuesday - has attracted a host of celebrities including Wally Lewis, Wendell Sailor and Alicia Molik.
All money raised by the tournament is donated to Diabetes Australia and the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Gower-furious-at-reports-he-was-drunk/2005/12/20/1135032013265.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Gower-furious-at-reports-he-was-drunk/2005/12/20/1135032013265.html
