So Mitchell Pearce cops eight weeks and a $125k fine! Some will say that is over the top others will say it doesn’t go far enough.
Whether supporters acknowledge it or not a lot, views will be dependent on whether they like Pearce or the Roosters.
But the fine does raise a few questions.
How did the NRL come up with this punishment, and for that matter all punishments the Integrity Unit dishes out?
Was this the Roosters’ punishment or did the NRL come in over top? Why did it take well over a month to reach this conclusion? Would it have taken that long if we were in the middle of the season?
This was Pearce’s second drunken offence, but it was in a private residence. Pearce was not charged for any offences by police yet his actions caused a lot of public outcry.
Valentine Holmes was charged by the police (albeit a minor misdemeanour) and his actions were in a public place.
It was Holmes’ first offence and it caused a lot less embarrassment to the game. He is fined a few thousand dollars and is playing this weekend. I’m not saying Holmes deserves anywhere near the punishment that Pearce has received, but no one can tell us what rationality is used to dish out the penalties.
It’s a guessing game left to the clubs, but with the NRL hovering in case it doesn’t meet their standards.
It’s time the NRL shows leadership by taking the matter out of the hands of the clubs and having a clear set of guidelines made known to the clubs, players and fans so we all understand what is likely to happen.
For example, the following could be used as a few of the guidelines for minimum penalties.
These are just examples of a few of the many guidelines that could be in place for player behaviour and should include everything from public drunkenness to serious criminal offences, to gambling on games and match fixing, recreational drug use and anything that fits into player misbehaviour.
Things like being late for training would still be under the purview of the club and they could stand down players for whatever reason they like. However for player behaviour we need consistency by removing the clubs from the equation and having one common standard.
By making minimum penalties public it eliminates this back and forth between the NRL and clubs over what penalties will be and will provide transparency to the fans as to why a player is suspended. I
Players would be aware of penalties from the moment they sign an NRL contract, clubs would know exactly where they stand and the fans most importantly would not be confused by what is going on.
I hope the NRL has the leadership to move to a consistent system for player misbehaviour and stops the ad hoc and confusing system.
1. Public drunkenness
Anytime a player is drunk in public.1st offence – 3 weeks and a fine of 5 per cent of their salary
2nd offence – 6 weeks and a fine of 10 per cent of their salary
3rd offence – 12 months out of the game. Forfeit their contract.2. Player charged by police with a minor offence
1st offence – 6 weeks and a fine of 10 per cent of their salary
2nd offence – 12 weeks and a fine of 10 per cent of their salary
3rd offence – 12 months out of the game. Forfeit their contract
3. Player charged and guilty of a serious criminal offence
Guilty is when they either plead guilty or have gone through to trial and been convicted.1st offence – Minimum 12 months out of the game (for very serious offences could be automatic life ban).
2nd offence – Automatic life ban
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