The Dodger
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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25351907-5016307,00.html
IF Greg Bird ran out for the Sharks today, would you stand and cheer?
Given the events at Brookvale Oval last Sunday, it makes me wonder.
Despite still facing police charges for an alleged assault on a teenage girl, Brett Stewart returned from a four-match ban and was hailed a hero.
The Manly fullback finished with a hat-trick in a performance that almost single-handedly got the premiers' season back on track.
Good on Brett. I enjoyed watching one of the most brilliant individual performances seen in a long time. On the footy field is where he belongs.
And Brett was immediately talked about as a possible Test and State of Origin candidate.
Meanwhile, Greg Bird is today living in France awaiting the outcome of an alleged assault that took place last year. Where is the consistency? This is in no way meant to be a personal attack on Brett, or an attempt to defend and justify Greg's alleged actions.
I'm simply trying to point out the double standards at work in our game - and the frustration that comes with what I believe is an unfair system. If Brett Stewart's suspension is now the benchmark, I would welcome Greg Bird back to the fold today.
Every NRL coach would do the same, if their decision was based purely on football. Our club was forced to make a exposes the double standards within our gamestand last year on Greg's future.
Given the backlash from fans and the game's administrators - but most importantly our sponsors - we had no alternative but to release our star player.
Last Sunday, Sea Eagles fans couldn't get enough of their try-scoring machine. They gave him a standing ovation. Players then celebrated with a lap of honour.
Double standards? Seriously, you tell me. Manly could argue the difference is Greg Bird allegedly hindered the investigation by lying to police and the club. We still don't know fully what happened at Manly's season launch and in the days that followed. The courts will judge that.
For now, Stewart plays on. A month ago, when the NRL was at war on bad behaviour, administrators pulled out the big stick and said "no more''.
But as soon as the hysteria died down, the issue was swept under the carpet. The NRL said a flat no to calls for an independent tribunal to judge off-field incidents.
When Greg Bird was still at the Sharks after his alleged assault, women's groups were threatening to protest at our matches, while concerned sponsors were ready to pull the pin. But last weekend Brett Stewart received unwavering support.
How do we treat the next case? If it comes down to winning and losing, and the decision is made by clubs, they will attempt to do what is best for the football team. But is that best for the game?
I arrived in Adelaide on Thursday to prepare for our match against North Queensland and discovered an AFL player down here is returning after an alleged assault on his girlfriend.
The club initially stood him down indefinitely - but after just one week he is back. What message does this send to you? We're not the only code with a problem - but we do have a problem, and it must be fixed.
IF Greg Bird ran out for the Sharks today, would you stand and cheer?
Given the events at Brookvale Oval last Sunday, it makes me wonder.
Despite still facing police charges for an alleged assault on a teenage girl, Brett Stewart returned from a four-match ban and was hailed a hero.
The Manly fullback finished with a hat-trick in a performance that almost single-handedly got the premiers' season back on track.
Good on Brett. I enjoyed watching one of the most brilliant individual performances seen in a long time. On the footy field is where he belongs.
And Brett was immediately talked about as a possible Test and State of Origin candidate.
Meanwhile, Greg Bird is today living in France awaiting the outcome of an alleged assault that took place last year. Where is the consistency? This is in no way meant to be a personal attack on Brett, or an attempt to defend and justify Greg's alleged actions.
I'm simply trying to point out the double standards at work in our game - and the frustration that comes with what I believe is an unfair system. If Brett Stewart's suspension is now the benchmark, I would welcome Greg Bird back to the fold today.
Every NRL coach would do the same, if their decision was based purely on football. Our club was forced to make a exposes the double standards within our gamestand last year on Greg's future.
Given the backlash from fans and the game's administrators - but most importantly our sponsors - we had no alternative but to release our star player.
Last Sunday, Sea Eagles fans couldn't get enough of their try-scoring machine. They gave him a standing ovation. Players then celebrated with a lap of honour.
Double standards? Seriously, you tell me. Manly could argue the difference is Greg Bird allegedly hindered the investigation by lying to police and the club. We still don't know fully what happened at Manly's season launch and in the days that followed. The courts will judge that.
For now, Stewart plays on. A month ago, when the NRL was at war on bad behaviour, administrators pulled out the big stick and said "no more''.
But as soon as the hysteria died down, the issue was swept under the carpet. The NRL said a flat no to calls for an independent tribunal to judge off-field incidents.
When Greg Bird was still at the Sharks after his alleged assault, women's groups were threatening to protest at our matches, while concerned sponsors were ready to pull the pin. But last weekend Brett Stewart received unwavering support.
How do we treat the next case? If it comes down to winning and losing, and the decision is made by clubs, they will attempt to do what is best for the football team. But is that best for the game?
I arrived in Adelaide on Thursday to prepare for our match against North Queensland and discovered an AFL player down here is returning after an alleged assault on his girlfriend.
The club initially stood him down indefinitely - but after just one week he is back. What message does this send to you? We're not the only code with a problem - but we do have a problem, and it must be fixed.
