It’s rare that I see an NRL headline that makes my stomach do a backflip. It’s even rarer that I read the full story and still feel sick to my stomach.
But last week, when the NRL released a statement saying ‘Tim Simona deregistered’, I did genuinely feel sick.
The Integrity Unit found that Simona had:
• Breached the rules of the NRL by betting on matches;
• Bet on opposition players scoring and also against his team (the Wests Tigers) winning;
• Sold rugby league jerseys through online auctions for charity and then not passed on the proceeds to the nominated charity;
• Been dishonest in his dealings with the Integrity Unit.
Simona’s story is an extremely sad one, with some very personal ramifications.
Imagine what his teammates feel like? This side missed the finals by one point last year. How many of his Tigers teammates would be wondering whether the 32 tackles that Tim missed in the 21 games he played led to points being scored against them, and what impact that had on final results.
So much of what a team is able to achieve on the field is based on trust. Sport is an arena where mateship is celebrated and a team is only as strong as its collective parts. For the Tigers to have learnt that one of their own teammates was working against them must be devastating. Many would be angry and hurting, particularly given the dedication and hard work put into preparing for matches every week.
What about his coach, Jason Taylor, who was under intense pressure last year? Was Simona’s defensive performance ever called into question? If so, imagine your frustration as a coach knowing that, despite practicing defence in training and not understanding why it wasn’t clicking on the field, the reason it wasn’t working is because one of your players was acting in a way which was detrimental to his team.
Then there are the fans. As a fan, I cannot imagine behaving in a way which could potentially cost my team points on the field (think about the behaviour of Western Sydney Wanderers fans in the past). To know that one of my players could have potentially cost my team a finals berth and was behaving in a manner which hurt the team I support so passionately is disgusting to me.
Despite my disappointment and the disgust which I’m feeling in regard to what Tim has done, I truly believe rugby league is a family and that the NRL still has a responsibility to ensure that even though Tim is no longer playing football, he is provided with the care and support he needs at this time.
So often young men are encouraged into a life of playing football from a very young age. They are taught when to eat, how to train and can be the sole breadwinner for their families. Players are human beings and make mistakes, and I am a believer in people being given second chances (particularly in rugby league, where so many players I respect have had the opportunity to redeem themselves, like Jake Friend, Danny Wicks and Manu Ma’u).
This absolutely does not excuse Tim’s conduct, but we as a game have a responsibility to continue to educate our players about the difference between right and wrong, and to have programs in place so that support our players on and off the field. The NRL does this exceptionally well through the ‘CAREERWISE’, ‘CHARACTERWISE’ and the ‘HEALTHWISE’ programs.
We must never forget the responsibility we have towards the men and women that play our game, and I was pleased to hear that the NRL is continuing to offer Tim welfare services and monitor his well-being. The Rugby League Players Association also has an important, continuing role in this process.
Todd Greenberg commented last week, “Based on the evidence we have identified it is very hard to imagine that Tim Simona will be registered with the NRL at any time in the future.”
Listening to the Triple M team commentate the game between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night, Ryan Girdler said that Simona may one day have the opportunity to return to the NRL. He qualified this by saying it would take several years and some time away from the game, but the suggestion was certainly there that a return was possible.
However, I cannot imagine any team taking a chance on Tim when the strength of the collective is where the power of a team comes from.
According to the NRL, Tim made it clear in several text messages that he knew that he was doing the wrong thing and had an understanding of the consequences.
He did it anyway.
This is not a team player and a person that any team would have extreme difficulty in trusting.
I hope what has happened to Tim is an example to other players of the serious consequences of behaviour which compromises the integrity of the game.
I also hope, although there has been no suggestion yet that this will happen, that this will prompt Australian sports to once again consider the wide array of betting options available to punters on a daily basis. The more exotic the gambling options, the less surprised we should be that this sort of behaviour continues to come to light.
Justy
Guest
Personally I think a situation like this was bound to happen with gambling so embedded in NRL and other sports. Teams have sold themselves out to gambling companies and with clubs so reliant on pokies and the bookies throwing the ods in our face 24/7 a story like this was on its way. Regardless of the stupid mistakes Simona, he is just human and he is very young. He has plenty of time to learn from his mistakes and move on.
Silvertail47
Guest
Cmon bobby ,, can't you see what your doing ? Your harassment may just tip me over, I've already smashed 4 phones ,dropped 2 computers and after this I'm going to destroy my iPod , all because of precious little nothing bobby , ohhh biiillleeeey please help , please come rescue me ,is it a bird , is it a plane , noooo its super bob ,,,,,
Bobby
Guest
Just save yourself mate...seriously I feel for you...so much anger and hate!
Silvertail47
Guest
Off you go bobby , cmon ,time to save the world
Bobby
Guest
Mate, you seriously have massive issues. I feel sorry for you..a whale and a koala...are you ok?
Silvertail47
Guest
Bobby , keep posting your putting fat on my roar stats !!! Baaaaa ha ha, angry little girl , forgive me if I've got it wrong , don't know your gender as I've never bothered to read anything you've posted ,until recently when you engaged me , get over yourself , I'm sure there's a whale somewhere or a koala that could benefit friends m your enthusiasm
Birdy
Guest
Good timing Steve. Been meaning to buy a book for a while now .
Bobby
Guest
What are you on about? You have lost your marbles mate...I never questioned your grammar you childish little boy. Show me where I did this? As for not being angry, are you kidding? You replied to me twice with vitriol and anger. You have issues pal! Since I don't know Tim Simona and it won't effect me or you if he gets help...I don't see how it could be harmful. It's actually called compassion, but I get the feeling your to tough and think your to much of a man for that! I imagine with the anger that spews out of you that it's the opposite...
Silvertail47
Guest
Think about this , there are good people who gave money to this person with the belief that there hard earned money was going towards supporting charities, some of these charities are there to support sick needy children and there families , your asking the wrong person about feeling angry , for just a moment think about those people ,them think about those people who should have received that money then ask yourself what kind of person would do such an act ?
Silvertail47
Guest
Bobby many posts have grammatical errors do us all a favour and check those , your wasting time here ,I don't care for your engwish Wesson,emotionally invested ? Ha ha , the blokes a thief , a fraudster and greenies want to cuddle him and blame everyone else but him , no anger here could care if the bloke disappeared tomorrow , what's your deal ? You seem to be so invested , you his lawyer ?
Silvertail47
Guest
It's a forum mate , our opinions! I'm not angry ,, it's disgusting that this creep stole from charites and I'm allowed to voice that opinion , why don't you attack every other post that agrees with my view ? As for my grammar get over yourself ,a quick scan of many posts will reveal many grammatical errors ! Again your not voicing your opinion there , your the problem ,it's people like you that find excuses for fools like simona ,
Bobby
Guest
You should get back to school sikvertail. You carry on with the emotions and angriness of a pre-teen. Also, why do you get so upset and take it so personally if Tim Simons gets help? How come it affects you so much? Serious question...you seem so worked up I'm curious as to why you are so emotionally invested.
Silvertail47
Guest
No I don't care for Tim , not one bit of sympathy, he systematically frauded his club , the NRL its fans and charities ,yes I find you funny , like many bleeding hearts looking for excuses for a pathetic individual who admits to wrong doing only to have people like you lol ok for excuses , man up face up suicide don't go there buddy you know nothing about my history my family , as for the grammar I aintz at school anymorez ,
Wolly
Roar Guru
Because among men it is seen as a sign of weakness to be suffering from depression. I'm funny? I have to say that's much more than I can say for you. Using quotation marks when referring to mental health as an illness is downright wrong and people like you are part of the problem. Do you know how many Australians commit suicide every day? Do you even care? After reading one of your comments above I would have thought you would be more sympathetic but it seems people only give two hoots if they can somehow relate to the issue.
Silvertail47
Guest
He stated so in an interview with Phil Rothfield ,why would he be so open about his disgusting acts yet hide an "illness" your funny
Steve from down south
Guest
Well said Birdy, but read the book it's called On Killing by Lt Col David Gorman you will learn a lot
Wolly
Roar Guru
So Simona couldn't possibly be suffering from mental health issues until he says he is? Have you not been around long enough to hear of individuals suffering from undiagnosed problems? Mental health seems to be such a taboo subject, especially amongst blokes, it is no surprise he hasn't said he is suffering.
Silvertail47
Guest
SSTID_1970 mate , that flute will get you in trouble ?
northerner
Guest
I've been introduced to lots of things in my life, including some fairly lowlife individuals. It's always been my choice as to what happens after the introduction. And my responsibility. No one else's.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
"It’s better for society as a whole to support and look after these people than to not do anything because it’s their fault," That's the crux of the issue Barry that many here I believe are missing. Offering the opportunity for support is not a means of denying responsibility. It is a means to ensure that society as a whole does not drift towards the extremes of a dog-eat-dog-world that hardline thinking can lead to.