Jdb case

[Drag Queen]

Yes that night like thousands of others were so called intoxicated as it was the local annual Santa pub crawl which starts at midday and goes til.....l..
Just about every young person in the shire and surrounds are out and the pub they were at is the biggest draw card...being North Wollongong.
But Yes S for stupidity for being high profile, bit pissed in the public domain and of course leads to stupid decisions and vulnerability.... I will grant you that
And there was few other Top 30 young Dragon players with him out on that same night probably just as intoxicated.
BTW... Wollongong 3rd biggest city in NSW of course behind Newcastle...not that small

I've lived there and it's a beautiful city. It's also a fishbowl compared to Sydney. Nothing goes on there without people knowing about it. Same could be said about my new residence in Newcastle.

 

[Overseas dragon]

I've lived there and it's a beautiful city. It's also a fishbowl compared to Sydney. Nothing goes on there without people knowing about it. Same could be said about my new residence in Newcastle.

You mean to say drag before you went to Newcastle you didn't live in Oxford street.......

 

[GC Dragon]

I would speculate that JDB must have an ace up his sleeve so to speak, something that will prove his innocence. This is the reason that the club is fully supportive of him and the reason why JDB wants to play on.

I have no doubt that JDB has spoken to the players, coaching staff / management . And they in turn have spoken to the NRL . The fact that they all seem to be behind him playing would suggest your speculation may have some legs .

Because if he does play this season and is latter found guilty the damage to the Dragons and NRL will be enormous . But if he plays and is found innocent ….they will be all saying that the right decision was made .

 

[Drag Queen]

Accepting trial by media ? No.
Absolutely. not.

For either side ( as I have seen social media posts already blaming the victim ).
Combatting it is another matter .
I don't have the answer.

You mean to say drag before you went to Newcastle you didn't live in Oxford street.......

No, I lived in Elizabeth Bay. Close proximity to Oxford St though. Happy days indeed.

 

[BLM01]

I've lived there and it's a beautiful city. It's also a fishbowl compared to Sydney. Nothing goes on there without people knowing about it. Same could be said about my new residence in Newcastle.

I like Newc too. Up there last weekend for the caravan / camp show at Broadmeadow and had a look around. It is a city that has changed so much over the past 20 yrs as has Wollongong which have fast both shaken the steel city blue collar tags. Wollongong is fast become litted with apartment high rises popping out the top of that fishbowl.

 

[BennyV]

I would speculate that JDB must have an ace up his sleeve so to speak, something that will prove his innocence. This is the reason that the club is fully supportive of him and the reason why JDB wants to play on.

I wouldn’t call it an ‘ace up his sleeve’. But considering the club would have only heard his side of the story, of course they’d be backing him to be found not guilty of such a severe charge.

In reality, charges like these are incredibly difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, as despite injuries, CCTV and reports, it’s ultimately his word against hers. So considering the magistrate has labelled it a ‘reasonably strong case’, I’d say the end result will be Jack pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

I can’t see the decision for him to play working out well for the club or for Jack. Every game he plays, he will be the focus because of this. The crowd reaction will be bigger news than the football. Will be mentioned in every game report. And that will take its toll on the team and the club.

For mine, the decision to not stand him down from playing duties on full pay and with support is poor leadership from the club. As weak as not reporting McGregor’s DUI 3 years ago.

 

[BLM01]

I wouldn’t call it an ‘ace up his sleeve’. But considering the club would have only heard his side of the story, of course they’d be backing him to be found not guilty of such a severe charge.

In reality, charges like these are incredibly difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, as despite injuries, CCTV and reports, it’s ultimately his word against hers. So considering the magistrate has labelled it a ‘reasonably strong case’, I’d say the end result will be Jack pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

I can’t see the decision for him to play working out well for the club or for Jack. Every game he plays, he will be the focus because of this. The crowd reaction will be bigger news than the football. Will be mentioned in every game report. And that will take its toll on the team and the club.

For mine, the decision to not stand him down from playing duties on full pay and with support is poor leadership from the club. As weak as not reporting McGregor’s DUI 3 years ago.

Legally our club cant because they are basically admitting their favourism for a guilty verdict. The club or NRL wont and probably cant do it now. The NRL should of changed their Brett Stewart fallout and slap in the face policy on this earlier not after the event.
The Policy of let them continue working in full capacity prior to a final verdict and day in court.

It really comes down to JDB to stand himself down if he can be convinced to do this in the best interest of all...that would sit better with me and probably everybody and relinquish any further action against the NRL or the Dragons.
But they are bringing Mental Health into it now in regards to standing him down as that opens another Pandora's box especially as we dont know the verdict yet. Opinions are certainly divided on this one,

 

[Saints Forever]

I wouldn’t call it an ‘ace up his sleeve’. But considering the club would have only heard his side of the story, of course they’d be backing him to be found not guilty of such a severe charge.

In reality, charges like these are incredibly difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, as despite injuries, CCTV and reports, it’s ultimately his word against hers. So considering the magistrate has labelled it a ‘reasonably strong case’, I’d say the end result will be Jack pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

I can’t see the decision for him to play working out well for the club or for Jack. Every game he plays, he will be the focus because of this. The crowd reaction will be bigger news than the football. Will be mentioned in every game report. And that will take its toll on the team and the club.

For mine, the decision to not stand him down from playing duties on full pay and with support is poor leadership from the club. As weak as not reporting McGregor’s DUI 3 years ago.

I wouldn’t call it an ‘ace up his sleeve’. But considering the club would have only heard his side of the story, of course they’d be backing him to be found not guilty of such a severe charge.

In reality, charges like these are incredibly difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, as despite injuries, CCTV and reports, it’s ultimately his word against hers. So considering the magistrate has labelled it a ‘reasonably strong case’, I’d say the end result will be Jack pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

I can’t see the decision for him to play working out well for the club or for Jack. Every game he plays, he will be the focus because of this. The crowd reaction will be bigger news than the football. Will be mentioned in every game report. And that will take its toll on the team and the club.

For mine, the decision to not stand him down from playing duties on full pay and with support is poor leadership from the club. As weak as not reporting McGregor’s DUI 3 years ago.

Agree with your commentary BennyV

Problem is the club is damned if it does stand him down and damned if it doesn’t.

The players association would be up in arms if Jack is stood down. It could only occur if contractually this option was available to the club. Such a decision may further affect his mental health.

If Jack offered to stand down, well and good. Either way he will need to be given constant pastoral care.

I will be surprised if he plays well this season with legal proceedings hanging over his head.

 

[getsmarty]

De Belin may be stood down before court case resolution
Author
Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 15 Feb 2019, 06:36 PM

St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin could be stood down before the start of the season after NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg admitted the game would this month review its policy of allowing the legal process to play out before acting.

However, Dragons chief executive Brian Johnston believes the club would be doing de Belin a disservice by not standing by him as his legal matter goes through the courts (presently adjourned until April 17).

The potential to overhaul the code's decade-long stance, which has allowed a player facing charges to go through the legal system before sanctions are handed down, could see de Belin stood down while the matter goes through court proceedings.

"Under our current policy we've made it very clear that these are matters for the courts and the NRL is very strong on applying natural justice to its players," Greenberg said on Friday night.

"In saying that though, that's our current policy. We've made it clear we need to consider that very carefully. Each case needs to be judged on its merits.

Dragons lock Jack de Belin. Paul Barkley/NRL Photos
"On this occasion with the information in the public atmosphere, it is very difficult and I understand why people are debating that.

"But the principles of our policy stand very clear at the moment that when a player is before the courts we will stand back and allow that process to take place."

Johnston was keen to reiterate the club's support of de Belin, highlighting the concerns with any potential sanction from the governing body before it went through the legal system.

"I acknowledge the interest and opinions surrounding the Jack de Belin legal proceedings," Johnston said.

"This is a very difficult, complex and polarising issue, particularly for those involved, and as a club we have an obligation for player welfare.

"Aside from various contractual and welfare obligations, advice suggests that any action taken by the club may have significant ramifications and may interfere with the fairness of the judicial process.

We understand this is a very emotive issue and a very difficult issue

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg
"As a club, we support the desire and need to improve the standards of player behaviour across the game and our history would suggest that we are not afraid to take action where allegations have been proven."

Greenberg canvased the views of all clubs at Friday’s chief executive conference in Melbourne in regards to the game's stance on sanctions, however, it is believed the views were split.

It comes after Melbourne Storm chair Bart Campbell sent an email to club bosses on Thursday calling for de Belin to be stood down, saying: "standing around while Rome burns is not good enough".

The views and recommendations that were put forward on Friday will be taken to the ARL Commission and will be discussed further at the February 28 chairman and chief executive conference in Sydney before a decision is reached on whether to change the game’s policy.

"What I would describe it as is asking all the clubs to give us our views," Greenberg said.

"This is a really important part of how the game is managed and led. We want to make sure the clubs as key stakeholders and members of the game get the opportunity to voice their views.

"The game is governed by an independent commission, but I need to be able to take back the views of our clubs before we form policy decisions."

Greenberg conceded it was difficult to take the emotion out of the de Belin case but reiterated the game’s desire to provide him the presumption of innocence.

"We understand this is a very emotive issue and a very difficult issue," Greenberg said.

"Jack de Belin faces very serious criminal charges. But he is entitled to, as all of us are, to the presumption of innocence. That's the current policy of the game. That’s how we're managing the situation at the moment.

"I haven’t but I’m obviously keeping a close dialogue with the club and that’s proper because he’s an employee of that club."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/02/16/de-belin-may-be-stood-down-before-court-case-resolution/

 

[Old Timer]

If our own fan base isn’t categorically behind him then he shouldn’t play
If your own supporters are going to shun you then what do you expect to get from the opposition team supporters?
If JDB is the focal point of every game we play then that cannot be good for him or the team.
If he plays poorly the commentators will keep bringing up the charges as to the reason why, so invariably the issue remains constantly in the media cycle which again is bad for him and the team.
I’m sure if asked what he thinks in hindsight of the mess he is in I’m sure he would suggest his actions regardless of being guilty or not regarding the charges were reckless and downright dum and have placed his team in a bad position.
More than enough reason IMO for him to stand down until there is clarity.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I think we will get some answers to DeBelins playing future when the team list/squad is announced for the trial game against Newy next weekend.

 

[WepnutV]

Legally our club cant because they are basically admitting their favourism for a guilty verdict. The club or NRL wont and probably cant do it now. The NRL should of changed their Brett Stewart fallout and slap in the face policy on this earlier not after the event.
The Policy of let them continue working in full capacity prior to a final verdict and day in court.

It really comes down to JDB to stand himself down if he can be convinced to do this in the best interest of all...that would sit better with me and probably everybody and relinquish any further action against the NRL or the Dragons.
But they are bringing Mental Health into it now in regards to standing him down as that opens another Pandora's box especially as we dont know the verdict yet. Opinions are certainly divided on this one,

No! if he is innocent and he knows if he is or is not has evry right to keep liveing his life as normal as possible without letting it effect him

 

[Carrera28]

I think we will get some answers to DeBelins playing future when the team list/squad is announced for the trial game against Newy next weekend.

I suspect we may not, trial games can be about trying out new combinations or giving fringe players a run. The Charity Shield may be a better indicator.

 

[BLM01]

No! if he is innocent and he knows if he is or is not has evry right to keep liveing his life as normal as possible without letting it effect him

Yes..of course live your life but you are foolish to think all the media and public speak and comments + scrutiny wont affect him, innocent or not. He is human and high profile after all. It is not me or you it is a high profile sports person that media cant wait to write a story on.

And would you not be worried about getting a guilty verdict even if your are innocent especially with a kid on the way. I would be and it would affect me living a normal life.
Courts and jury may see things different to what he wants.

 

[TruSaint]

No! if he is innocent and he knows if he is or is not has evry right to keep liveing his life as normal as possible without letting it effect him

Mate, its been said at infinitum that he has the presumption of innocence. We all agree on that.

How do you expect him as you say " to live his life as normal as possible" when he has rape charges levied against him? To be in the spotlight every week when he takes the field ? We cant just make these charges go away, and the press, social media etc will just add to the pressure he already has.

For his sake, and ALL involved, he should be stepped down. There is no upside to him playing when we take off our red and white glasses.

 

[BennyV]

Legally our club cant because they are basically admitting their favourism for a guilty verdict. The club or NRL wont and probably cant do it now. The NRL should of changed their Brett Stewart fallout and slap in the face policy on this earlier not after the event.
The Policy of let them continue working in full capacity prior to a final verdict and day in court.

It really comes down to JDB to stand himself down if he can be convinced to do this in the best interest of all...that would sit better with me and probably everybody and relinquish any further action against the NRL or the Dragons.
But they are bringing Mental Health into it now in regards to standing him down as that opens another Pandora's box especially as we dont know the verdict yet. Opinions are certainly divided on this one,

Sacking him would be indicating a guilty verdict. Standing him down on full pay is not. It is just what is best for all concerns - NRL, team, club, fans, sponsors and arguably Jack himself.

 

[Obi Wan]

I'm looking forward to watching Jack play as he is currently innocent until proven otherwise. I'm also proud of the honourable way St George have handled the situation and feel the world would be a better place if proven cheats and anti human rights activists were instead banned from the game until they complete their rehab at St George.

 

[BLM01]

Sacking him would be indicating a guilty verdict. Standing him down on full pay is not. It is just what is best for all concerns - NRL, team, club, fans, sponsors and arguably Jack himself.

Agree. But standing him down at full pay (the key words standing him down) is also considered indicating a guilty verdict. What are you standing him down for?.
As there is nothing in his contractural arrangements to allow them to do that for something unproven or just bringing yourself into disrepute.
He has to stand himself down. No other way...until NRL policies are changed after this.. they will be.

Brett Stewart debacle ensured that it could not happen again like that under current policy. The NRL got away with not being sued back then as they used the excuse he was drunk at a function and or he was the face of the game in NRL advertising..he bought the game into disrepute but I dispute that.
He got a 4 week suspension...Manly also got fined heavily at the time....Final result his rape charges all proved to be false. They reckon he still has not fully got over the court stuff etc at that time

 

[DragonJ]

Sacking him would be indicating a guilty verdict. Standing him down on full pay is not. It is just what is best for all concerns - NRL, team, club, fans, sponsors and arguably Jack himself.

Oh, is that what is better for all concerns? And who exactly are you to speak for "all concerns"?

Jack is innocent until proven otherwise! There will not be and should not be any penalty! If there is, Jack should sue "all concerns",

 

[DragonJ]

Agree. But standing him down at full pay (the key words standing him down) is also considered indicating a guilty verdict. What are you standing him down for?.
As there is nothing in his contractural arrangements to allow them to do that for something unproven or just bringing yourself into disrepute.
He has to stand himself down. No other way...until NRL policies are changed after this.. they will be.

Brett Stewart debacle ensured that it could not happen again like that under current policy. The NRL got away with not being sued back then as they used the excuse he was drunk at a function and or he was the face of the game in NRL advertising..he bought the game into disrepute but I dispute that.
He got a 4 week suspension...Manly also got fined heavily at the time....Final result his rape charges all proved to be false. They reckon he still has not fully got over the court stuff etc at that time

Nonsense! Brett Stewart was suspended for public intoxication. NRL couldn't suspend him for sexual assault because it would have been a travesty of justice. he too was innocent until proven guilty, which of course he never was.