On Monday, North Queensland Cowboys player Scott Bolton appeared in Waverley Local Court for touching a woman on her upper thigh at a bar in Bondi last May.
Initially, Bolton faced a charge of assault with an act of indecency, but after negotiations, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of common assault.
The 31-year-old escaped conviction but the magistrate sentenced him to a good behaviour bond, noting that he deserved no leniency or special treatment for his status as a rugby league player.
Additionally, while acknowledging Bolton had “come under the scrutiny of no doubt his family, club officials, the media and no doubt the public” the magistrate also made the point “it can’t be forgotten that Mr Bolton put himself in the spotlight by committing an offence”.
Following sentencing, Bolton released a statement apologising for his behaviour and the stress it has caused to his family, the woman assaulted, his teammates, his club and rugby league fans.
Bolton’s sentence is just the beginning of what will be a challenging period for the NRL, given the number of alleged incidents which happened late last year, involving the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Dylan Walker and Jack de Belin. In the next couple of months, each of these players will face court (if they have not already done so).
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Leading into the Christmas period, there was plenty of commentary regarding domestic violence, assault and sexual assault. This led to Peter Beattie and Todd Greenberg signalling their intention to come down hard on any players convicted, as well as expressing their disappointment in the number of alleged incidents.
The Australian Rugby League Commission also announced that they would undertake an audit of how club leaders handle off-field incidents and that Commissioner Megan Davis would lead an audit of the current education and wellbeing programs focused on violence against women conducted via the NRL, community partners like the Full Stop Foundation, and the clubs themselves.
Regardless, player behaviour – particularly in relation to respectful relationships – is a priority for the NRL, recognising players as role models and representatives of one of Australia’s most popular competitions. This is why so much training and education is provided at all levels of the game.
But back to Bolton, the Cowboys also made comment following his sentencing, the contents of which I found troublesome, so hope that their response is included in the NRL’s audit.
Coach Paul Green intimated the club will employ minders for their players, so that there are extra safety measures when they go out socially.
“It’s having people there (minders), it’s making sure we have people looking out for each other,” Green said.
“Making sure that when we can see a situation unfolding that we don’t want to put ourselves in we try and nip that in the bud.”
(AAP Image/Michael Chambers)
Minders? Are you serious? This idea makes my stomach flip. How can we possibly expect our players to behave as adults when we treat them like children?
When did we get to the point where grown men (and Bolton is certainly one of the older members of his team) need minders to help them understand what is acceptable behaviour in social situations?
This suggestion is deeply concerning – by doing so, we reduce player responsibility and suggest that they need to be ‘babysat’. Part of being an adult is taking responsibility for your behaviour and, quite frankly, I’m disappointed that messages about respectful relationships don’t seem to be getting through to some players.
Additionally, I found Green’s comments confusing. Apparently, minders are necessary because “unfortunately it’s the world we live in these days” and that steps need to be taken “to make sure that when we do go out in public it’s a safe environment for everyone”.
We live in a world where any sort of assault – whether that be common, indecent or sexual – is completely inappropriate and those who commit these acts are subject to consequences.
We may not have always lived in this world, but the world I want to live in is one where men and women can go into public dressed how they like, behaving how they like (within reason of course) without that being an invitation for another person to assault them.
We do not live in a world where adults need minders.
When I read about these sorts of incidents, my response is always the same.
The standards that we expect of those in the public eye is not over and above what is expected of the common individual. The expectation is simply that they act like decent human beings.
If a person in the public eye does not act like a decent human being, the consequences may be greater than for an ordinary person, but the standard is still the same.
And if minders need to be employed to remind players that they should not assault other people, then the situation is far more dire than I thought.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
I think one of the biggest problems for NRL players, and one which is most likely a major cause of player misbehavior, is the endless amounts of idle time in the off-season. They have no real responsibilities, and the dangerous combination in a lot of time and a lot of money. Obviously, I'm not making excuses, and not trying to present this as an argument , and there's no real solution. It all comes down to the individual principles and morals of a player. Even though they'd like to be treated like the average Joe away from the field, and have the same rights, the reality is that if they want to avoid trouble they have to be a lot stricter with themselves and avoid potentially harmful situations. Whether this means an alcohol ban in the off-season or whatever, I don't know. Either way it's time to stop the rot. But everyone's been saying that for years, and not a whole lot has changed. Good on the players who behave themselves though, as well as those who have amended their behaviour before causing any damage.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Fortunately for Bolton he was up against another star struck magistrate. Just like Inglis was today.
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
If your the Andrew Stewart I know ( from Belconnen). Glass houses mate !!
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Dexter, you’ve obviously never seen women at a hens night or something similar, women can treat men how they like and get away with it, groping, wolf whistling, slapping on the backside whatever, but blokes touch at a dancer at a strip club and the bouncers bash them and toss them out. Your obviously a person that has no idea want they’re talking about
Andrew C Stewart
Guest
What a great article. For me.... a wonderful opinion piece & very easy to understand, even for those who may still be a "child" of 28 years of age playing in a privileged position of rugby league professionally. I'm a financial supporter of the Canberra Raiders since their entry into the League in 1982, until this year. NOT anymore. The incident with Jack Wighton was the final straw for me to support the game anymore. THAT is how fed up I've become with the behaviour of many players & the excuses & "punishments" applied by the clubs that employ them. "Emotionally fatigued" is the best way for me to describe how I feel, and I'm disgusted by the repeated behaviour of league players. What also concerns me is the widespread attitude by older current players, ex-players, commentators & some journalists describing 1st grade players, regardless of age, as "a good kid" ! SERIOUSLY? A "kid"? Phil Gould in particular loves to describe "his" players this way. They're grown men for God's sake!!!!! But people want to treat them as children & possibly, possibly, give subconscious permission to these "kids" to act irresponsibly? No, not having a bar of rugby league anymore. Thank you for writing what I AGREE with and I'm positive tens of thousands also agree with but don't have the platform or the vocabulary to express our opinions. YOU speak for us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! ????
Bangers N Mash
Guest
My point is quite obvious. So either you’re an antagonist , or extremely thick Roy.
Don
Roar Rookie
Don’t get me wrong. The behaviour of some NRL players towards women is appalling and again, given the court decision Bolton should not be cut any slack in this regard either. I’m not victim blaming. I just don’t believe that appointing a minder is anything but a club looking to protect their brand. It’s not taking responsibility away from players for their actions.
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Forests wouldn’t burn with such intensity if they were managed better, that management is the responsibility of government and governance, their will always be problems it’s how you reduce the risk
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Hang on a minute , a bloke wolf whistles a woman the sky falls, when the woman wolf whistles a bloke we accept it , suck it up like a tough guy aie, your “downtrodden “ is a cheap comment, your not mature enough to understand there’s legitimate debate here regarding how everyone behaves, these forums are full of moral police who are so pure in there existence, such “role models “ of society
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Dirty rat ,
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Entire Sharks club banned from Cronulla Sailing Club, seriously Todd’s position is untenable, he has failed as CEO , not a leader , clubs and players don’t respect his leadership! Bye bye Todd
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
I would hardly consider nipple crippling a woman the crime of the century.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
A good response to the unbalanced article above. The waters are muddied a lot more than many are willingly to acknowledge by false accusations by young woman. These selfish young woman are making life much harder for the genuine victims and the falsely accused players. They are a disgrace.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Christo, been quite a lot of victim blaming on this post. Its a common theme whenever a RL player is up on charges.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Eagle drunk at 2:30pm. Dear oh dear....
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
When will the poor downtrodden men get a fair break in this female-dominated world. Give me a spell. The comments on this article are mindboggling, but I guess not entirely surprising.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Yes when the roles are reversed it is the crime of the century. That's not PC madness, that's just bl00dy well obvious. Surely that doesn't need to be spelled out.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Yes, the old "its not my fault, its the bar staff's fault" argument. Spare me.
Bangers N Mash
Guest
A lawyer misconstruing facts , in order to bolster a prejudiced argument ? Holly underpants Batman , what kind of world are we living in.
Bangers N Mash
Guest
Always a few dark clouds about , to ruin a beautiful day in a beautiful place.