They’re a staple of rugby league coverage in Australia, but does an endless stream of redemption tales inadvertently reinforce the game’s worst stereotypes?
It has almost become a competition in NRL social media circles to predict who’ll write the inevitable redemption piece when news breaks of a player being charged with or accused of something criminal or antisocial.
Now don’t get me wrong here – it’s all well and good to celebrate someone genuinely turning their life around in the mould of Wests Tigers’ Russell Packer. There are lessons in everything and it’s worth making particular mention of Josh Dugan, no stranger to a redemption story or five.
Tuesday’s story about Dugan’s battle with depression and his new role as a State of Mind ambassador for the NRL is the type of message that hits rugby league’s key demographic right between the eyes. It’s also a great insight into how Cronulla’s players look out for each other.
But I’ve got no interest in stories about how Zane Tetevano catches the train to training. I most certainly do not care about anything Matthew Lodge is doing. There’s a better than average chance another Blake Ferguson piece will land at some point throughout the year.
Matt Lodge (AAP Image/David Clark)
Personally, I’d rather hear the stories and the journeys of players whose stories aren’t defined by the criminal actions or poor decisions of their past.
If you cast a casual eye over a lot of player-focused stories, you could be forgiven for thinking most are on their second, third or fourth chances after acting up at some stage in their career.
And it’s not true, not by a mile.
To be clear, a good redemption piece isn’t limited to rugby league, it’s just that rugby league seems to publish more of them than everyone else. Just last week, I read a highly emotive (and beautifully written) article about how Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford was dealing with embarrassment and “untold grief” after 2015 footage of him addressing a rather large line of white powder surfaced in the press.
It’s a high-wire act, taking on a redemption case in the first place. Many a journo has been burned by their apparently ‘redeemed’ party playing up again or being quietly set aside by their club because they couldn’t control their demons. Redemption pieces are also increasingly being met with a cynical eye from readers as the puff-piece public relations exercises they tend to be.
There’s also the quandary of rugby league journalists, nrl.com, club media teams and access to players.
I get that it’s a tough call for the News Limited and Fairfax outlets. Clubs and player agents shop these pieces to writers they trust, who they know will give a sympathetic ear and produce a supportive article. A redemption tale is an interesting yarn and in a world where content is king and constant, there wouldn’t be many out there who pass up such a gift-wrapped opportunity.
But it’s not like there’s a shortage of interesting NRL story hooks out there. Around 18 months ago, in the lead-up to the retirements of Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater, there were predictions of doom and gloom about a dearth of ‘superstar’ talent in the NRL.
Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Yet up come the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Tom and Jake Trbojevic, and James Tedesco. Add to that the potential of Jamaayne Isaako at Brisbane, Lachlan Lewis at Canterbury, Cameron Murray at Souths, and maybe now Bronson Xerri at Cronulla.
Rugby league prides itself on giving players another chance to get themselves back on track, and that’s admirable, but there needs to be a shift in focus on the stories that get told about its players.
Move the spotlight onto this next wave of talent. Tell us the stories of the proven performers, not just the players looking to get their image cleaned up before they come back into the game.
Rugby First
Roar Rookie
The buck stops with the NRL, penalise offending Clubs, players and then penalise the offending player by restricting transfers as part of the penalty. I am not suggesting Clubs are not guilty of giving players far too much tolerance. "Blind Freddie" can see this happens. Also there would be players that are simply not manageable. The players see the some Clubs are not playing by the rules, salary cap breaches, 3rd party breaches! Obviously as is being pointed out some Clubs appear not to have sufficient control around their players and paid the ultimate penalty. As has been pointed out thankfully we can look up and admire the past & present no offending real stars of the game.
Larry1950
Guest
As happens in life outside the footy bubble, a lot of people have character flaws that turn you off them. Rugby First, not sure if I've got the right bloke but didn't Carney try to lay the blame for his early indiscretion on Nick Emmett at the raiders by fabricating a story? Think that ruined any chance Emmett had at progressing in the game because he never had Carney's ability. Maybe if he'd been dealt with properly back then instead of excused because he could win games, his life might now be different. It's been the tolerant club hierarchy who've created the problem.
AJ Mithen
Expert
My agendas are out here every week...
Ben
Roar Guru
Matt Lodge's rap sheet is one incident. But of course, some people will believe hearsay. I think if you were to research Matt Lodge, you would know he actually did a lot of work with the NRL on things such as problem drinking to redeem himself. He did so for two years. I think you have a hidden agenda.
Nick
Roar Guru
I can't access the article (not a subscriber). But thanks, anyway. I find it fascinating that the date of his approval was very much during the middle of Peter Dutton's round up. My own personal thoughts are that he should have been warned off the game for life and sent home.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Ben – if I ran things Packer would have been gone the instant he was convicted. His act was one of the weakest and worst you would hear about. But he wasn’t punted and there’s now a track record of him sorting himself out. As for Lodge, his rap sheet goes well beyond what happened in New York and you know it.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Spruce – I did wonder that too. More info here (Packer got approved to stay in December ’17). https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/national-rugby-league-backs-bid-not-to-deport-russell-packer/news-story/a9e02d530a46bee3a4c32f6357330895
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If my facts were muddled to any degree initially I corrected my mistakes but the essence of what I was saying still stands. It did not materially change my argument or the case against Matt Lodge. YOU said, "no threat was made anywhere near a child". WRONG! Bashing down a door with a mother and son locked inside giving cause for the child to cry out, "Please don't kill me" proves the exact opposite. You still have not gone on record with where YOU sit on the Matt Lodge issue. Instead YOU have dodged the question and engaged in a game of semantics. Should he still be allowed to play in the NRL, YES or NO? Do you support the Broncos or the Tigers? Do you excuse or condone Matt Lodge's behaviour? I'll be waiting for your answers to each of these questions.
Paul
Roar Guru
I couldn't agree more Elvis. The sad part is that we're in the significant minority, which makes it all the more imperative sporting bodies, journos, whomever do more than they are at present to represent sport in an appropriate way.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
So you now agree with everything I wrote? I’m glad it only took you three tries to get the facts right. If it had taken any more, you might have looked like a loudmouth with a strong opinion based on ignorance of the facts.
elvis
Roar Rookie
The comment section of the roar has more knowledge than all the league journalists in oz put together. I hardly read any league reporting and if I want information on something I'll look for an article here.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Didn't Irwin score a few tries on debut for the Broncos or something like that? Or am I thinking of someone else?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Ferguson was “sacked” after he practically ran away from home (as a grown man. Is that even possible?) to live with uncle choc.
Homers Son
Guest
BIG BROTHER BEATTIE , is in da house now Elvis.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
These are the facts "Gray-Hand" and you are trying to play games quibbling over semantics to deflect the fact that Lodge is a criminal with a history of violent assault. Why? Does Matt Lodge play for YOUR club perhaps? Are you a Broncos supporter by any chance? Surely you can't be THAT shallow and self-serving? There are Broncos fans from this site and another I have posted on who have uniformly condemned Lodge's behaviour and actions and expressed that they wished he did not play for their club. Given his past association with Wayne Bennett there is a strong possibility at some point that Lodge could find his way to the Rabbitohs which would disappoint, upset and sicken me and I will NEVER support the guy if he is ever fortunate enough to be allowed to where the "Pride of the League's" famous cardinal and myrtle. From the video above... - Lodge confronts German tourist Caroline Dekeyser and her flatmate outside an apartment block at 4am - Lodge to Caroline Dekeyser; "Do you think you are going to die? Tonight IS the night you are going to die" - Joe Cartwright tries to intervene to stop the harassment of Dekeyser and her flatmate but is attacked by Lodge - Lodge directs his violence and anger towards Cartwright and his family (Joe Cartwright, wife Ruth Fowler and 9-year-old son Henry) - Lodge goes on a rampage of the Cartwright apartment re-enacting a scene from "The Shining" playing the role of Jack Nicholson. Matthew Lodge Assault Victims Speak Out About His Return National Rugby League "In the early hours of October 16, 2015, Mr. Lodge followed Ms. Dekeyser and her friend back to the New York City apartment building in which they were staying while on vacation, and began to threaten their lives in an alcohol-induced rage, telling them “tonight is the night you’re going to die.” He then forcibly entered the building in which Mr. Cartright and his partner, Ms. Fowler lived with their then nine-year-old son. Once inside, Mr. Lodge proceeded to violently attack Mr. Cartright and locked himself in their apartment, breaking furniture and even punching a hole in the door of the bathroom where Ms. Fowler had retreated to protect the couple’s child. Years later, the child is still traumatized by the event, according to the couple." https://www.wigdorlaw.com/matt-lodge-assault-victims-speak-out-return-to-nrl/ Eyewitness account violent relationship of Matt Lodge's with ex-girlfriend Charlene Saliba - Matt Lodge asked a 7-year-old boy to call his ex-girlfriend a "B!tch" to her face - witness to a violent and abusive argument between Lodge and Saliba - witness to assault and physical violence by Lodge against Saliba - intervened to stop the assault in progress which Lodge tried to justify and did not deny https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/eyewitness-account-of-matt-lodges-violent-relationship-with-ex-girlfriend-charlene-saliba/video/2f4fd1fc528d54bf8977fc5bc90d8804 Gallen questions Lodge's history ...Lodge's past, which included pleading guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend in August 2015. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/gallen-questions-lodge-s-history-20180304-p4z2sv.html Assault charge and lawsuit in New York and NRL controversy "his former partner came forward to accuse Lodge of being abusive during their relationship. "It started with controlling behaviour, then name-calling, then came the emotional abuse, he started throwing things, physically restraining me, spat in my face, then pushing and shoving me, which then lead to threats on my life," she said." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Lodge#Assault_charge_and_lawsuit_in_New_York_and_NRL_controversy Given the above, there is little to argue in Lodge's defence. He is an animal and should not be allowed to play in the NRL. To quibble about a point out of place here or there is simply an attempt at misdirection and belies the gravity of the offences that Lodge has committed on more than one occasion.
Ben
Roar Guru
I really find interesting that a man stomping on an unconscious man's head is somehow more worthy of a redemption story than a man that scared the daylights out of some people according to the author...
Ben
Roar Guru
The only answer I can give for that is that the government weren't exactly going hell-for-leather with deporting violent criminals until 1-1.5 years ago. That's a pretty valid question though.
Nick
Roar Guru
Ben, great question - i had the same thought myself. Second question...several thousands of kiwis have been deported from Australia because they possess/possessed a criminal record for a variety of criminals, both violent and non-violent. Why is it that are clearly violent criminal such as Russell Packer was allowed to stay? Not saying he shouldn't be allowed to stay, just wondering why an exception was made to a footballer?
elvis
Roar Rookie
That's bad management by the Raiders, people don't just suddenly develop into dheads when they hit 21. They had the opportunity to cut them but rolled the dice hoping they would turn out. Look at Brad Thorn, no idiots whatsoever, no matter the cost.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Dear me. Everything I wrote was accurate. Once again, as always, what you have written is factually incorrect. Watch that video again and listen to it. Lodge threatened a German woman named Dekeyser who was with her flat mate. The guy Lodge punched (Cartwright) was not related to either of the women, he was just some guy who overheard Lodge threatening Dekeyser (a stranger to him) outside the building and went to check it out. Cartwight’s partner (Ruth Fowler), was inside their apartment the whole time with her son Henry.