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Monday news of the tragic death of Ryan Tandy has brought home many issues that must be spoken about. It’s not necessarily a review of how Tandy’s case was handled but a complex series of questions and examinations.
It’s not limited to rugby league itself but sport in general. The Tandy case has highlighted these particular areas of unease.
The immediate circumstances surrounding his death will be investigated by the proper authorities. There is no suggestion of anything sinister happening by Tandy’s own hand or by someone else’s.
Friends and others who knew him have described him as being a good bloke. They are all stunned and have remarked they ‘did not see this coming’ and that ‘he was in a good frame of mind’.
At what point do we forgive? When should the game have opened its arms and proclaimed that we wanted him back? What duty of care should have been afforded him? Should he have been left to suffer the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life? Should our game have tried to rehabilitate him? Was he being ostracised from the game a cause of his alleged overdose from prescription medicine?
The question of whether his misdeed was punishable enough to eradicate him for good remains. His further misdemeanours could have been a direct result of his sadness at being treated as a virtual leper.
There is no consistency in issuing punishment for various offences. Domestic violence and violence against women is a far worse offence in my view than spot-fixing, yet a couple of players who have been convicted of these crimes have been allowed back into the fold.
Why is it ok to allow a perpetrator of domestic violence back in our game but not a spot-fixer? Sceptics will say it’s because the offence has no direct ramifications for the organisation. Spot-fixing can be viewed as a transgression against the sport. In effect the game views itself as the victim.
The issue of mental health has also been raised. We know that physicians believe anxiety and depression does not necessarily have a single root cause. That learned observation and the fact his misconduct was his own doing shows no blame should be attributed to our game. People in general agree that what happened in Tandy’s parents Central Coast home was a terrible occurrence.
Violence against women is abhorrent. Corruption and dishonesty towards the fans of the game is appalling. Nevertheless seeing a rejuvenated Ryan Tandy return to our game after an acceptable punishment and make the best of the remaining years he had would have been accepted by the League community. Circumstances dictated this would not be the case.
Rest In Peace, Ryan.
You can follow me on Twitter @normyzee
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