Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Yep. If the NRL deregister Naiqama, then so be it.SpiderShark said:
absolutely - i would be yelling at our club to chase his signature.Willow said:
plenty willow, great for the local derby - he would look good in the B,W & B - lol
not just stopping there - this situation [if it occurred] would only add more clauses, stipulations and headaches to the average player contract in the future.
if i was in the Dragons CEO's chair - i would let it be.
Pumba said:
news.com.au said:It's a two-way street, Naiqama
By Margie McDonald
March 02, 2007
ST George-Illawarra legend Johnny Raper said Wes Naiqama deserved to have his club's full support but needed to pay that back during the season.
"I do hope he realises how St George-Illawarra have put themselves out on a limb for him," said Raper, who won eight premierships with the Dragons from 1959 to 1966.
"So he needs to show them even more than he already has on the football field and a lot more off it."
Naiqama is appealing a two-days-a-week periodic detention for his fourth conviction of driving while disqualified.
He can still play for the Dragons at weekends even if his appeal fails, because the periodic detention would be during the week. The Dragons have chosen the talented outside back in the the centres for tomorrow night's annual Charity Shield against South Sydney.
"It's just typical of St George that when you're down, they stick by you. That's why they've won so many premierships," Raper said.
"Let's hope the experience has frightened the life out of Wes.
"He's a wonderful young player and in my dealings with him, he's been very approachable and considerate. I was very surprised when I heard he'd got himself into trouble. But I think he would realise how serious the situation is and will want to repay the club.
"I was a bit of a wild man myself but the Dragons stuck by me and others. You show your appreciation by playing the best you can."
Head of the Rugby League Players Association, Matt Rodwell, applauded the manner in which St George-Illawarra reacted to Naiqama's situation.
"From our point of view, the Dragons are doing everything they can to help Wes get through a difficult period in his life," Rodwell said. "Sure he's made some mistakes and he's facing penalties within the judicial system for those.
"We are supportive of the fact that at this stage the Dragons are keeping him on. And knowing (head coach) Nathan Brown very well and his affinity with his players, he'll be trying to make sure Wes gets through this and gets back on the straight and narrow."
Naiqama's appeal will be heard in the Sydney District Court on May 22.
His lawyers told Waverley Local Court on Wednesday the only reason Naiqama had driven unlicensed on the latest occasion was to get his girlfriend, former Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli, to hospital after she became ill.
But magistrate Chris Longley said Naiqama's driving record suggested he was a serial offender.
The NRL said it would not consider Naiqama's position until the end of the court process.
Immortal said:
Willow said:
borat said:
Sure, and Naiqama is not alone when it comes to players running foul of the law. But with Tilse and other players who have been guilty of certain indiscretions, I note that you remain strangely quiet. In fact, the only comment you had on Tilse was that you were unhappy to see him go when he signed with the Raiders.
