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As the NRL gears towards the new campaign, off-season talk has partly centred around the possibility of both Danny Wicks and Russell Packer returning to the field following stints in prison.
Wicks, convicted for supplying drugs, served 18 months of a three-year sentence and has been cleared to play for the Parramatta Eels.
Packer, who was jailed for 12 months after punching and stomping on a victim’s head, appears likely to return to the NRL with St George Illawarra, either this season or next.
Professionals returning from jail to play sport is certainly not limited to one code, but the NRL is in the spotlight at the moment, and with a history of player misbehaviour rugby league is unfortunately worthy of the attention.
Firstly, when is a crime so abhorrent that returning to sport should be impossible?
Peter FitzSimons recently quirked, “They’ve done the crime, and served the time, so they are all even with the house and should be able to start again with any club that wants to back them.”
No one deserves to be blacklisted for the rest of their lives. Everyone deserves a second chance. If you don’t believe that, then there’s basically no point in jail sentences.
But FitzSimons’ answer is far too simplistic, and it would be interesting to know if the same theory applies to convicted rapists, given Ched Evans’ complicated situation in English football. In truth, every criminal should deserve a second chance, but reality’s another matter.
The whole purpose of jail is rehabilitation. Unfortunately that’s not how sentencing always works. The prison system has flaws, and a criminal can do the time and still be released despite having no intention to change his or her behaviour.
Therefore it’s the NRL’s job to determine whether a player is suitable to return to the game, together with interested clubs. They have done a good job with Wicks, who received a four-year ban and has been working as a forklift driver since his release. There is little doubt he deserves another chance, as does Packer, eventually.
The question isn’t whether they should be allowed to come back – they should – but what restrictions should be administered.
There has to more measures implemented to ensure these players, both jailed and bailed, are serious and committed to turning their lives around.
First of all, when the player does return to action, his salary should be kept at a minimum amount for a certain period. There is no way they should be going back to six-figure sums. Wicks is reportedly on a modest wage, Packer’s contract should follow suit. These players start at the bottom, just like other former criminals.
If Packer, or any other player, feels he can earn more outside the game, then let him find a new profession. A lawyer, doctor or politician wouldn’t be permitted to return to their lucrative jobs if they served time in jail, so there should be no complaints on a capped wage. I would say $50,000 a year is more than fair.
For those arguing that rugby league only offers a short career, that doesn’t cut it. Most people retire when they’re past 60, sports stars should be in the same boat. There’s nothing stopping them finding another job post-sporting career.
Community service is next, and the not the media-targeting PR stunts. There should be programmes where these players return to jails and try to inspire youths in similar positions. Most prisoners want to rebuild their lives, having an example that second chances do exist is a necessary motivation.
We’ve seen players such as Suaia Matagi and Manu Ma’u make successful careers in the NRL, so it is possible.
However, only a few parties suffer from player indiscretions – including minor misdemeanours. First, the game’s image, which in turn hurts the fans, and finally the players that have their contracts ripped up. While the players deserve to face the consequences, where are the repercussions for the clubs? Wicks will reportedly have strict conditions included in his contract, but what about Parramatta?
That’s the main problem at the moment, clubs are basically in a win-win situation when handing out contracts to players with shady pasts. If the player is reformed and helps the club to titles, it’s a win. If the player re-offends, the club sack him and wash their hands. There is no accountability.
When Todd Carney was given lifelines by the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks, what risk did those clubs actually take? When he once again got himself into trouble, they cut him loose and that was the end of it for them.
They have duty of care, and as much responsibility to represent the game as the players. If they take a chance on a troubled player, whether jailed or not, then they must be held accountable.
Carney had a five-year contract with the Sharks, and they sacked him after he was caught pissing in his own mouth (or simulating it, as he claims). Hardly assault, but still, it was a repeat offence.
The problem is that the Sharks knew of Carney’s past behaviour and should take part of the blame. His wage, which was redirected to new players, should have been taken away from the Sharks’ future salary cap.
So if Packer signed a four-year deal worth $200,000 and he reoffended after a year, St George would be unable to use the $150,000 for new players. That money could even possibly go towards an NRL fund, but that might be going too far.
Clubs stand to profit from these volatile players’ abilities, they should cop the consequences if they fail to ensure he’s a reformed man.
That should go for any other clubs taking on troubled players, such as Blake Ferguson or Josh Dugan. It would give clubs more incentive to ensure the player’s rehabilitation is on track and becomes successful, which would rub off on the player too.
As mentioned, this isn’t a problem enshrined in rugby league, but in all sport.
Andrew Krakouer returned for Collingwood in the AFL after he was jailed for assault, while Toby Greene is still playing with Greater Western Sydney after avoiding jail on assault charges.
Jermaine Pennant, Joey Barton, Duncan Ferguson and Marlon King (thrice) all served time before returning to English football, and then there’s the current dilemma of rugby player George Moala, who is still in line to represent the Blues in Super Rugby despite being found guilty of assault.
All clubs in all codes have to take more responsibility, otherwise they’ll keep exploiting players’ abilities without any threat of repercussions. That’s to the detriment of the players, who are given no real reason to change their ways.
At the moment there are no drawbacks for club, there is no risk, and that has to change.
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