Easts have a subtantial amount of influence within the NRL, on the partnership committee and with the broadcast rights thru Packer and his lackeys..they are not judged the same as other clubs and there is no doubt their influence has been bought to bear in this case.
The case has had little publicity, the charges are as dreadful as any being bandied about by the media at the moment and yet the NRL has not raised a finger about it.
That bullshat about counselling, early plea and mitigating circumstances reeks of hypocrisy..stand the thug down and deregister him!
Packer hasn't had anything to do with the club for years but I won't argue with what the final outcome should be. The game and the club need to be seen to be doing something about aggressive behavior and tearing up his contract seems the only sensible course of action.
Let me ask this however. Kick him out and let him (maybe) re-offend, this time as a Union player. Lets' face it, he'll get another gig somewhere. Is this a better scenario?
It seems to me that repeat offenders are the ones that don't admit they have a problem to begin with. He's not a repeat offender as far as we know and has actually impressed the police by fessing up or not trying to blame someone else for his actions like some others have. Maybe the club and the NRL were advised that a second chance would do more good than kicking him out. Who knows?
I wonder if community service with a women's shelter before he becomes a repeat offender might be the way to go. I don't know how practical this is as these women may not want a visit from a big footballer but maybe if these dickheads could see what damage (short and long term) they do, it could prevent future victims. Maybe all players should be educated in this manner.
I'm not defending him, I'm just wondering if there's another way in preventing future scenarios like this happening again.
cheers
