The Gold Coast Ttitans and the NRL have a big decision to make regarding whether to allow the players caught up in the cocaine scandal to take the field before their court cases have an outcome.
All players pleaded not guilty to the charges and there is talk of them wanting to play as soon as this weekend.
The NRL needs to make a stance on drugs in our game, especially after taking over administration duties of the Gold Coast Titians. Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling should not be allowed to play until all charges have been cleared in court.
If the players are found not guilty they all should be welcomed back, but to play before then would be taking a soft approach by both the NRL and the Titians on the issue of drugs in our game and the community.
Sponsors of the Titans and the NRL should also be consulted about this decision, it affects their image as well as the image of the game. This shouldn’t be about whether it is fair on the players involved, but more about how much damage it will place upon the NRL and its sponsors.
Furthermore, facing charges such as supplying drugs means it isn’t in the players’ best interest to make their comeback either; they should be focused on their court cases.
99 per cent of rugby league players stay away from these sorts of issues, the problem in the game are the one per cent who seem to find trouble wherever they rear their heads. Although the players in question are innocent until proven guilty, they still managed to bring the game into disrepute by associating with the wrong crowd and putting themselves in a situation where drugs were widely available.
It seems that the other 99 per cent of NRL players have common sense with whom they associate, and know what is expected from them as representatives of the NRL.
Society has a problem with recreational drugs, it’s not just the NRL’s problem. But this isn’t a debate about whether drugs are acceptable or not, it is about how the NRL should handle this situation for the good of the game. The NRL should be protecting the game and its integrity, not the 5 per cent who continue to make bad decisions.
It is an unfortunate situation for all parties, but until we have an outcome within the court system, a proper action cannot be made.
critta
Guest
On one breathe you say that all the players should be stood down until their court appearance and shouldn't be allowed to play until there court cases are over and then you say that if charges are dropped or they are not found guilty they should be welcomed back with open arms? So what is the difference . Until that time where is the presumption of innocence? Brett Stewart is a classic case . Further you say that they should be playing and would be better off focusing on their court case. Are you for real. If there court case don't come up for three, four, five months whatever , how do they focus on a daily basis on their court case. Sit at home and stare at their charge sheets. They only need to visit their solicitors on several occasions. For their own well being they would be better of training and playing . I do not condone the use of drugs in any way but it is a fact of life and sportsman are no different to the average person. Look at the statistics at the use of recreational drugs in this country, it is one of the highest in the world. And if you think that the NRL, AFL Union or any other sport have not got a percentage of recreational drug users then you do not live in the real world. Let them play and let the courts decide their fate. Not guilty keep playing. Guilty - well do we burn these players or do we educate/rehabilitate . Hunt gets a slap on the wrist whilst these guys are looking at career ending possibilities.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
Haven't the NRL already fone that with Brett Stewarts four match suspension in 2009?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Unless they're innocent and really were ordering wine...
The Barry
Roar Guru
The NRL needs to have some consistency about this. Some players get stood down, some don't. Some crimes warrant players being stood down and some don't. And it will all change week to week. There needs to be transparency about the type of charge that results in a player being stood down and how long a player can expect to be stood down for. It's a lucky dip at the moment.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Was Hunt the supplier to the Titans guys? That's not my understanding of it all.
Charles NSW
Guest
Well said Paul!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Surely it's set a dangerous precedent to 'suspend' players for things they may end up being found not-guilty of?
Paul
Guest
These guys whilst they have been charged are a long way off being found guilty or innocent, and therefore should be able to take the field until such is proven either way. The league and club should be very aware that by standing them down they are opening themselves up to huge compensation claims by the players for damages to their careers and reputations if the cases are dropped or dismissed. The other alternative for the league or club is to offer them a release and they can go and play in England or France for probably double the money they are getting here. I think it is time for the administrators to grow up and get off this high horse of ''bringing the game into disrepute'' they if guilty are bringing themselves into disrepute not the game.
pjm
Roar Rookie
How is Hunt connected to the Titans players?
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Yep, if they wanted to play, and they know they did the crime, then they should have pleaded guilty. Now there penalty will be from when the court case is finished. There call really.
AR
Guest
There's no doubt about that. Hunt pleading guilty makes Bird's inncoent claim (true as it may be) quite tricky to say the least.
Rex
Guest
Be a bit hard to say they are not guilty when the one who supplied the stuff (Hunt) has pleaded guilty already and accepted his fate.