NRL must get tough: Bennett

[Kaz]

http://7sport.com.au/news.php?id=65501


New Australian Test coach Wayne Bennett made an impassioned plea for the NRL to get tough on players' off-field behaviour in order to limit the number of "black eyes" blighting the code.


Bennett, one of the most respected figures in Australian sport, implored the NRL to implement "greater deterrents", including suspensions and even expulsion, for players who bring the game into disrepute.

As the Bulldogs sex scandal enveloped the code on the eve of the 2004 season, Bennett suggested the NRL follow the lead of racing and appoint a panel similar to stipendiary stewards.

The stewards have the power to suspend or disqualify licensed persons for offences under the Rules of racing.

Bennett backed league chief David Gallop's threat to deregister Bulldogs players even if they were cleared by police over sexual assault allegations made by a 20-year-old woman after a trial match in Coffs Harbour last month.

The veteran Brisbane Broncos coach said players had been allowed to get away with too much for far too long.

"It's an obvious concern," Bennett told 2KY's Big Sports Breakfast program.

"I've been coaching for 30 years this year and, if I coached for another 30 years, there'd always be some type of drama.

"It's the nature. What we have to understand ... if we're guilty of something in this game, it is that we haven't said to those who want to continually make mistakes, `look guys, there's a greater deterrent than what there presently is'.

"And until we address that issue ... and even when we do that, we'll still have them making mistakes, we'll still have them doing something they shouldn't do.

"But, more importantly, it would send a message to everybody that's involved in rugby league as a fan, as a coach or as a player that this is not going to be tolerated anymore."

Bennett said while it was the police's prerogative not to lay charges in cases like the one engulfing the Bulldogs, that didn't mean individual clubs shouldn't punish players involved in such incidents - as has long been the trend.

"Whether they get charged by police or not is not the issue for me, personally," he said.

"It's about the code of behaviour that we have in our own game.

"I honestly think that one of the things we have to look at in a very serious light is to suspend players for behaviour off the field (and) you can't go to another club.


Brought to you by AAP.

 

[zulu]

Heard that on the Big Sporting Breakfast this morning on 2KY.

Agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Alan Shore]

Yet another top statement from a top bloke.

 

[OVP]

I never understood Wayne Bennett's self-imposed exile from speaking to the media. His knowledge is second to none, and is easily the most respected coach in the game these days. It's certainly heartwarming to know that the Australian coach to be can make a tremendous input for the benefit of the game overall.

Perhaps he thought of the media as a pack of ravenous wolves, only looking at the negatives. Perhaps he was correct. But now that Wayne is Australian coach, we will at last be given an insight into this amazing person's psyche as well as his knowledge. I can hear Australian Rugby League rejoicing at last !!

I think the next few years will be a very exciting time in League in Oz ... im so glad we have an Australian coach everyone respects, finally

 

[Kiwi]

I'd like to know which 2 dogs fans voted no :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Blade]

Yet another top statement from a top bloke.

 

[AdamH]

Bennett, one of the most respected figures in Australian sport, implored the NRL to implement "greater deterrents", including suspensions and even expulsion, for players who bring the game into disrepute

Does that include Lockyer with his Raper joke?

 

[NPK]

Lockyer didn't bring the game into disrepute - he made a joke about other players who had.

 

[drake]

Lockyer did to a certain degree, it hit the news and made league players look stupid and callous.
But I agree with Benny, professional sport=professional conduct.

 

[The Colonel]

Would you rather have been punished by the NRL or by Wayne Bennett?

I can guess that he had a few choice words to say to Darren later - he was not happy in the footage (but then again is he ever).

Its a big statement from Wayne....... and a good one at that!

 

[Dogs Of War]

They do this in the NFL, definately something for the NRL to consider.

 

[JJ]

Bennett, one of the most respected figures in Australian sport, implored the NRL to implement "greater deterrents", including suspensions and even expulsion, for players who bring the game into disrepute

Does that include Lockyer with his Raper joke?

It should do - I agree with Bennett, but he would have more crebibility in my eyes if:
1. He talked to the media more often to imporve the profile of the game (which he hasn't done much to enhance in recent times). But I respect his decision not to, as it is not necessarily his responsibility to do this.
2. He should have condemned waht Lockyer did, and arranged a punishment of some sort. Lockyer's actions were stupid, and apparently planned

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I never understood Wayne Bennett's self-imposed exile from speaking to the media. His knowledge is second to none, and is easily the most respected coach in the game these days. It's certainly heartwarming to know that the Australian coach to be can make a tremendous input for the benefit of the game overall.

I think Bennett realises that by keeping his mouth shut 90% of the time and only speaking to the media when it's absolutely necessary or when an important issue like this comes up poeople will sit up and listen when he does say something, knowing that what he does say will be well considered and worth hearing. Contrast that with too many of the other coaches in the game who shoot their mouths off at every opportunity (especially when moaning about refs or trying to influence the judiciary). When guys like Brian Smith, Chris Anderson, Sticky and Gould open their traps who bothers listening anymore?

 

[Kaz]

It should do - I agree with Bennett, but he would have more crebibility in my eyes if:
1. He talked to the media more often to imporve the profile of the game (which he hasn't done much to enhance in recent times). But I respect his decision not to, as it is not necessarily his responsibility to do this.

He hates most of the media with their stupid questions all the time.

And the un-truths some of them tell.

2. He should have condemned waht Lockyer did, and arranged a punishment of some sort. Lockyer's actions were stupid, and apparently planned

How do you know he didn't behind closed doors.

He wasn't going to rip Lockyer apart in public, so the media could have a field day about it.

 

[JJ]

It should do - I agree with Bennett, but he would have more crebibility in my eyes if:
1. He talked to the media more often to imporve the profile of the game (which he hasn't done much to enhance in recent times). But I respect his decision not to, as it is not necessarily his responsibility to do this.

He hates most of the media with their stupid questions all the time.

And the un-truths some of them tell.

2. He should have condemned waht Lockyer did, and arranged a punishment of some sort. Lockyer's actions were stupid, and apparently planned

How do you know he didn't behind closed doors.

He wasn't going to rip Lockyer apart in public, so the media could have a field day about it.

I agree, and understand why he hates the media. But he has the respect of most fans, most players, and is smart enough to know how to use the media I would have thought. But I entirely respect his decision not to be media friendly. It's just that league needs people like him to show leadership right now, which is what he's doing.

I don't know that he didn't punish Lockyer, but in my opinion it should be made public, what Lockyer did was in the poorest taste, and you and I know that there are a proportion of boofheads out there that think it was funny, and that the Bulldogs are heroes. Bennett and Lockyer should make a firm statement that this is not acceptable.