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Packer cleared to play

Ace-STi

Juniors
Messages
1,392
The NRL has granted Russell Packer to resume his rugby league career. Source: News Limited

THE NRL has formally granted former jailbird Russell Packer permission to resume his shattered rugby league career.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Packer will start playing for new club St George Illawarra in the NSW Cup in the next week or two.

Provided Packer adjusts to his return successfully, the Dragons can then attempt to lodge a contract for the giant prop to play in the NRL from next season.

Packer, 25, will though have several undisclosed stipulations placed on him throughout the remainder of this year.

NRL officials believe Packer will benefit from playing in a team environment.

There is some chance Packer could play for Saints’ feeder club, Illawarra Cutters, against Wyong at WIN Stadium in the NSW Cup this Saturday afternoon.

Russell Packer will likely play in the NSW Cup with the Illawarra Cutters. Source: News Corp Australia

It is more likely however that Packer would return the following week.

Rugby league is once again being used for rehabilitation.

The NRL is satisfied with Packer’s recent behaviour but want him to continue his rehabilitation over a longer period — that being the rest of this year — before he can play NRL again.

Packer was released from jail in January and started meeting with NRL officials last month.

He has been training with the Cutters for more than month, readying himself for an anticipated comeback.

Packer spent two years in jail for assault.

The NRL demanded Packer undergo an alcohol rehabilitation and education program. It is understood Packer also attended further courses without prompting.

Packer was jailed after fracturing the eye socket of a 22-year-old man.

The attack was sickening. Packer punched the man in the face before punching the victim several additional times on the ground before stomping on his head.

The victim was left with two fractured facial bones. Packer pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The magistrate who heard the case, Greg Grogan, labelled Packer’s attack as “cowardly and deplorable”.

Packer formerly represented New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle, although he never actually played a match for the Knights, sacked after being found guilty of the assault in November, 2013.

Penrith also made a bid to sign Packer when he was released from jail. The Illawarra Cutters have won just one game this season and will no doubt welcome Packer’s size and experience. Packer is a former New Zealand international.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...george-illawarra/story-fni3g9a3-1227297744299
 
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willzy91

Juniors
Messages
197
Give it a few weeks in the cutters and i think you will see him given clearance to play in the NRL, Im gathering the NRL just want to see some initial improvements and how he goes back into the footy environment before they allow a contract to be registered...would be great to see him in our front row in a few weeks!
 

blacksafake

Coach
Messages
10,461
Can't see the point in allowing him to play NSW cup but not NRL.
Would like to think he would be eligible for later in the year if he continues to jump through all the hoops.
 

nrlnrl

First Grade
Messages
6,894
Give it a few weeks in the cutters and i think you will see him given clearance to play in the NRL, Im gathering the NRL just want to see some initial improvements and how he goes back into the footy environment before they allow a contract to be registered...would be great to see him in our front row in a few weeks!

No, he won't be playing NRL this season
 

bottle

Coach
Messages
14,126
Ridiculous decision.
Meanwhile over Souffs way a confessed wife basher got to play in and win a GF.
f**ked up.
 
Messages
4,002
Bullshit decision should be allowed to play now,done his time done some more now he gets reserve grade for the rest of the year what a crock!since when were those stuck up pricks at the nrl the moral authority?
 

lafai

Bench
Messages
2,810
yes i think if the NRL showed some consistency with their rulings half the discussions here wouldnt be needed..
but asking the NRL for consistency in ANYTHING they do both on or off the field is never going to happen... too many lunatcis running the asylum there..

Very true.
 

bottle

Coach
Messages
14,126
Seems to be tripe anyway. Typical Telucrap article it seems.

The St George Illawarra Dragons have been assisting Russell Packer and his family with his program of rehabilitation, since January.

Throughout this time our Club has provided updates to the NRL on Russell's progress and the Club has been, for some time, awaiting advice on the NRL's expectations and requirements if and when Russell was to return to rugby league.

Late yesterday afternoon (Thursday, April 9), the NRL provided the Club with advice, marked ' Confidential ', to "digest".

Russell Packer has not been cleared to play rugby league at any level, and the Dragons were advised by the NRL that there were matters requiring further clarification before Russell may be cleared to play Rugby League.


"The Club will be considering the NRL's advice, as will Russell and his family. We will need to clarify additional matters, to then be able to discuss with appropriate stakeholders and advisors," said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.

Russell will be continuing to maintain his commitment to the established welfare and education program that he has been following since January, that is - individual training in the morning, work during the day, Illawarra Cutters training in the afternoon and study in the evening - until the Dragons, NRL and other relevant stakeholders have the opportunity to consider the advice thoroughly.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2015/04/10/dragons_update_regar.html

So the Panfers kids can go back to the creche now and poke the smaller kids in the eyes.
 

The Nick

Bench
Messages
2,660
As a Dragons fan I'd like to see him cleared to play this year, but common sense has to prevail. Hopefully for his and his family's sake he stays on track this year and is allowed to return to the NRL next season.
 
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TheRev

Coach
Messages
13,012
I dont see what bigger penalty or chance to reflect there could be than 2yrs in a jail cell..

This event did not happen last weekend... so I don't see the point in penalising him again, he isn't getting any younger.
 

pink v

Juniors
Messages
70
Bullshit decision should be allowed to play now,done his time done some more now he gets reserve grade for the rest of the year what a crock!since when were those stuck up pricks at the nrl the moral authority?

nothing to do with nrl once the police refer it to the courts
 
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