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Opinion
We all know that not everyone’s life goes according to plan, and that many are lead astray or just make the wrong life choices, and the rugby league fraternity are no exception.
Here’s a team of players who all fell-foul of the law at some point, and who may have wish to have their time over again.
Fortunately, some have learned from their mistakes and turned their lives around.
1. Joe Kilroy – Elusive and extremely quick, “Smokin Joe” was jailed for three years on drug related charges in 1989 before eventually making it back onto the field with the Broncos in 1991 for one final game in the top grade.
2. Manu Vatuvei – “The Beast” was a Warriors’ favourite and scored 22 tries in 29 tests for the Kiwis, but is currently awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to serious drug importation charges.
3. Jarryd Hayne – An extremely talented player with over 200 first grade games and two Dally M Medals to his name, Hayne was a regular starter for NSW, Australia and Fiji. He is currently awaiting potential retrial for sexual assault charges after recently being released on bail following a successful appeal.
4. Matt Seers – A talented outside back who played nearly 200 first grade games and a handful of Origins for NSW, and was convicted for his part in a cocaine distribution syndicate.
5. John Hopoate – Hopoate is probably better known for his long series of rugby league controversies than for his 200-plus game career and representative highlights, and he has pleaded guilty to assault charges on more than one occasion.
6. Jarrod Mullen – A former Newcastle stalwart and once seen as “the next big thing” who pleaded guilty 2019 to cocaine supply.
Jarrod Mullen of the Knights looks to pass the ball during the round 22 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Hunter Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
7. Craig Field – A talented half who spent time with several Sydney clubs and was convicted of manslaughter in 2014, and ultimately released from prison earlier this year.
8. Danny Wicks – A big bopper who notched up 104 games in his first grade career and was convicted in September 2011 for drug trafficking and sentenced to three years jail.
9. Anthony Watts – Watts played 53 first grade games, primarily for the Cowboys, and has convictions for a number of offences including both assault and affray.
10. Russell Packer – The big forward played for both the Kiwis and the NZ Warriors before pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and subsequently sentenced in January 2014 to two years jail. He revived his career in 2015 and went on to play another 74 first grade games and five more tests for NZ.
11. Gary Sullivan – Sullivan was a great player for Newtown, NSW and Australia but an even better armed robber. In 1991 he was sentenced to 20 years jail for his part in 14 armed robberies.
12. John Elias – A journeyman both on and off the paddock, Elias played for 8 or 9 clubs in his career, published a book about his life of football and crime, spent four years in prison for shooting his business partner, and went on to coach the Lebanese national rugby league team.
13. Jason Smith – A super talent who played nearly 300 first grade games, 16 origins for QLD and 15 tests for Australia, Smith will also be remembered for falling foul of the law for drug possession and distribution crimes.
14. Aukuso Junior Paulo – A forward who played 17 games over three seasons with the Eels, Paulo was sentenced to 17 years jail in 2020 for drug supply.
15. Martin Kennedy – An absolute giant who played up front for both the Roosters and Brisbane, Kennedy pleaded guilty to wildlife smuggling charges and was sentenced to four years jail in 2019.
16. Manu M’au – The talented second rower was sentenced to three years jail in NZ for his part in a violent gang brawl before turning his life around and joining the Eels in the NRL.
17. Matt Lodge – A big front rower some would say is lucky to be playing in the NRL after avoiding jail time when he pleaded guilty to reckless assault in New York in 2016.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
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