Booze bans may be considered for future Emerging Origin camps, Queensland Rugby League managing director Robert Moore admits.
But Moore was adamant players must start taking responsibility for their actions in the wake of a weekend camp debacle that led to a total of eight rising stars copping 12-month Origin bans.
Brisbane’s Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace, Canberra’s Edrick Lee, South Sydney’s Chris Grevsmuhl and Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa were hit with suspensions on Friday for breaking camp curfew.
Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster had already been suspended for ignoring new coach Kevin Walters’ orders and leaving camp to go out drinking on Saturday night.
Holmes sparked the controversy when news emerged that he had been fined by Queensland Police for public nuisance and obstructing police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Banning almost half of the 20 rising stars who attended the camp is a nightmare start to Walters’ reign and a body blow to Queensland’s title defence hopes.
Moore admitted something had to change in the wake of the debacle.
Asked if they would outlaw alcohol at future camps, Moore said: “This program like any other gets reviewed on an annual basis.”
Walters said booze bans would be “something for further discussion”.
But Moore said the buck must stop with the players.
“You have to remember we are dealing with adults, not 15-year-old kids here,” he said.
“And you expect a level of responsibility from those adults – to do what they did was not acceptable.”
Walters added: “We have to be responsible for everything that we do and if you can’t be responsible then you don’t drink.”
Walters said guilty players were good enough to put their hands up when asked if they broke curfew.
And he said he would not hold an Origin grudge against the banned eight in future.
But he made it clear they faced a long 12 month road to redemption.
“They were remorseful, but you can’t turn back,” he said.
“We’ve had a good chat. They are certainly aware of the situation they are in now.
“They just have to knuckle down, play some good football and continue to work hard at their respective clubs.”
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
They're on a training camp, it's work hours 100% of the time. That they needed a curfew speaks strongly about the lack of discipline in the first place. That it was broken by so many proves it was necessary.
Yawn
Guest
Kevvie (as you've put it) failed miserably. The QRL didn't even want him for a start and it was only the pressure of the so-called FOGs that influenced the outcome. On his first engagement the players have shown what little respect they have for him and straight out defied him. There were immediate whispers that it wasn't just Hunt and Munster involved, but they tried to sweep that under the carpet until it couldn't be ignored. And then watching Walters woeful effort when being questioned in Auckland was painful to watch. Terrible start.
Norad
Guest
No other spot has such a feral media coverage to deal with. The Kangaroos have nothing to do with this Maroons story but the NRL media went and found another angle to keep it alive. When the NRL is forced to ban the players from all rep teams there will be another story for the NRL media to write up. Better off being AFL with only clubs to worry about. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dumped-maroons-still-eligible-for-australian-kangaroos-selection-20160206-gmnc8k.html
Jimmmy
Guest
the bans are smart. If you don't have the discipline to obey a curfew you don't have the discipline to play for QLD. As for the other crap ,RL is no different than any other sport but the way it is reported sure as hell is.
Birdy
Guest
Good post Cathar , Just read Holbeck's story . The cold hard facts are that in Australia RL and AFL are the top 2 pro codes with daylight 10th. So it's just accepted that there will be more so called bad behaviour events jumped on by the media . It's unfortunate that code warriors, like scrum , who's comments ive read since Australia Day , seem to want to deny that this type of behaviour doesn't happen in their preferred code. I wonder how many Holbeck's are out there too scared to put their hands up for fear of damaging their chosen sport due to snobbery .?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I wonder how many more union players who were able to keep there dark little secrets from the public aided by a media who protect them & a media who realise their issues don't sell to a public more interested in class bias so they can remain in their lofty heights of ignorance so the can 'tut tut' at the league boys? http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/exwallaby-james-holbecks-mitchell-pearceinspired-blog-strikes-chord-with-struggling-former-players-20160206-gmnci3.html
northerner
Guest
Well, it's true that if there are no laws, then there are no law-breakers. Not sure that's a very good argument though. And in any case, the cops didn't fine that guy $1400 for breaking the curfew, they fined him that for breaking an actual law, so with or without the ban, there would have been police action.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Spot on TB. Scrum says "the culture of Rugby League supports this behaviour". When the players in question were severely reprimanded and given 12mth bans from Origin. And deservedly so. Supporting it would be ignoring the situation and covering it up. Again a small minority behave inappropriately breaking a curfew. Such a thing wouldn't be reported in some other codes. Nobody cares. Harry T states "I can only think of SBW and Pearce Snr as NRL non drinkers". Insinuating that every other NRL player, past or present, is a drinker. When in fact there are huge numbers who don't touch a drop. And the majority drink responsibly, as is their right. These guys are the target market for News Ltd and ACA. And hence why they will continue to pay big $$ for any sort of misbehaviour involving an NRL player, while not bothering with some other codes. The OTT response will always justify the outlay.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Here we go again - "apologists". Look up the definition before you start using big words. Apologist is starting to match "un-Australian" as the most meaningless insult commonly used.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Scrum - if you're in a glass house don't throw stones. You come out blazing calling anyone who disagrees with you an apologist. If you didn't lead out with insults you wouldn't get them in return. You're also using the term incorrectly. No one here is defending or excusing the players' behaviour...they're guilty as charged. What's being criticised is the completely overblown and we're criticising is the completely disproportionate wowser response to a couple of 20 year olds who made poor decisions that hurt no one and for which they've been punished. If you didn't carry on with your histrionics this wouldn't even be reported.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Well it's pretty clear some do struggle to think for themselves. I make no apology for pointing out the obvious.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It will certainly test their depth if they get a few key injuries. Listening to Kevvie talk on radio it really sounded like Milford was a shot for the 14 jersey. And Napa must be pretty close too.
Scrum
Guest
Eagle jack-it does you no credit to hand out personal abuse to those whose views differ from your own. Perhaps if you could exhibit a little self restraint and address the issues rather than indulge your emotional reactions
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yes, and well over 80% of NRL players drink responsibly. A large number don't drink at all. But the minority are singled out by a ravenous media to portray a culture that is far from reality. But when people like yourself lap it up it is little wonder that they keep reporting it. Some simply can't think for themselves anymore.
northerner
Guest
Well, a culture based on trust and respect is always nice, but how much respect did the 8 young guys show for their coaches and leaders? Not a lot. How much trust will the coaches have in kids who ignore clear instructions and go out on the town? Not much. The lads behaved like kids, but now they're getting treated like adults with adult consequences. That's where trust and respect might get a chance to emerge.
dayer
Guest
you tell them Barry, i too am sick of these over zealous goody two shoers. my god every nut with out a common sense brain picks on League when really it is only a minority of players and off course these players are punished so what is the problem...
HarryT
Guest
On the Athletics Australia website they regularly publish the diaries/blogs of athletes during the competition season. They are very interesting and safe for dog lovers.
HarryT
Guest
Only 18% of people over the age of 14 engage in risky drinking habits, which is measured as 2 standard drinks a day. That means more than 80% of Australians drink responsibly. The point I feel that needs to be looked at by the NRL is that alcohol adversely affects performance and both the short term and long health of the athlete. It is interesting how often a player's improved performance is a result of them getting off the grog. Dave Warner used to train hard and party hard and was considered one of the best batsmen in the world. It was the influence of his ironwoman wife's attitude to training that took his career to another level both on and off the field. SBW had always been a keen trainer. When he became a Muslim and trained with Mundine he became a much better athlete. His team mates all talk about his extreme dedication to preparing his body and how positively this influences those who play with him. No wonder the Roosters want him back.
Rod
Guest
You know that to be the case do you? I would imagine there would non rugby league athletes that are just the same,know one really could give a toss though. I think you a drawing a long bow their.
Scrum
Guest
Oh well Barry - if you wish to continue to delude yourself but why did these players break the curfew plus have an incident with the police after being told they were expected to make "good choices'. 'Nothing actually happened". I thought someone received a police imposed fine. Try addressing the issues rather than resorting to abusive language.