In the media today there will be much debate about the presence of Jake Friend and Brett Seymour on their respective team sheets for this weekend’s game.
For those who have been living under a stone, the issue here is the absence of Brett Stewart’s name on the Manly team sheet, ostensibly for drunk and disorderly behaviour.
The sole reason why Friend and Seymour should be allowed to play is the fact they were not the face of the NRL marketing campaign.
Without having a seat at the NRL board table, it is difficult to know the full reasons behind their decision to suspend Stewart. However, my belief is that the marketing campaign was central to their decision.
Whilst I am not condoning the behaviour of Friend and Seymour, it must be viewed in perspective to the position of responsibility that Stewart found himself in.
You will hear cries of double standards from the Manly hierachy and certain media commentators, but the right decision has been made in regard to Stewart.
And the right decision in regard to Friend and Seymour would be to let the clubs deal with it and let the players play.
If the clubs decide that the players shouldn’t play, I don’t have an issue with that. My concern is from an NRL point of view.
We have not heard from Stewart, and nor will we until the outcome of the alleged assualt is decided by a court.
However, being put in such a lofty position by the league and then to abuse that position is the single reason for his ban by the NRL.
For the NRL to become over-bearing on the decision made by clubs and their boards would not be healthy for the game.
For Friend, a $10,000 fine has been slated by the Roosters. That penalty is definitely harsh enough for a 19 year-old first offender.
However, Seymour has a track record with a bottle in his hand, and the ball is in the Sharks court to handle that one first.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Warriors produced a dramatic win over Penrith. Dylan Edwards had a chance to tie the game but sprayed his kick, with the Wahs…
Taine Tuaupiki, take a bow!
The Warriors have pulled off one of the upsets of the season, downing the reigning Premiers Penrith 22-20 at Magic Round despite missing a…
Whooshka! Luke Garner met DWZ one-on-one after this Jarome Luai bomb.
The Panthers captain looked around in bewilderment but it was a blatant professional foul. The Warriors scored twice with Yeo off the field.
Luai was in an unfamiliar number against the Warriors, but he shone in the first half with this sensational try.
