NRL player Dylan Brown has vowed to stop drinking alcohol as he works to regain the trust of those around him after being found guilty of sexually touching a woman without her consent on an alcohol-fuelled night out.
The Parramatta five-eighth pleaded guilty to two counts of unwanted sexual touching following the incident at the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Sydney’s east on June 3.
He received an 18-month community corrections order, a $40,000 fine and seven-game ban from the NRL, and a $20,000 fine from the Eels that will be donated to a charity chosen by Brown and the club.
Brown fronted the NRL media on Tuesday for the first time since his guilty verdict, saying he was glad he had been held accountable for his behaviour.
“I’m happy that (the woman) went and complained because I shouldn’t be able to get away with things like that,” he said.
Dylan Brown. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
“It’s not acceptable. It’s not something I’m proud of, it doesn’t uphold my values. It’s embarrassing.
“I told everyone that I was willing to accept any penalty that came my way.
“I was apologetic and I still am.”
Half of the fine imposed by the NRL has been suspended, with the league and Parramatta agreeing on what they termed a “capability plan” for Brown that requires him to complete counselling and an alcohol-management course.
During his hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court it was revealed Brown had consumed up to 20 alcoholic beverages on the night in question, which fell during one of the Eels’ NRL byes.
“Alcohol was sort of a thing on the night,” Brown said.
“Not that I’m taking that as an excuse but I shouldn’t … get to that point or put myself in a position where I can make those bad decisions.
“I’ve decided to stop drinking until I get back out on the field and prove to myself that I deserve everyone’s acceptance.
“I don’t want anything like that to happen again, whether it’s alcohol, female-related, anything.
“I want to be a player that people look up to.”
As part of his capability plan, Brown will present his lessons from the incident to Parramatta’s pathways players, the Eels said.
Brown became choked up when he spoke about the impact the incident had on his family.
“I’ve let them down,” he said.
“It’s not just me, it’s a lot of other people that are affected by this.
“When it’s something you’ve done to yourself, it’s fine. When it involves someone else, especially a female, it’s tough because I’ve got a mum, I’ve got a sister.
“That’s why I was getting emotional because when I think about these people, if something happened to them, I wouldn’t be happy.”
The Eels are satisfied Brown is remorseful for his actions.
“He has a strong awareness of the severity of what has occurred and is extremely disappointed in his actions,” chief executive Jim Sarantinos said.
Brown will be available for selection from round 23.
Taumalolo refreshed for Cowboys’ finals charge
He has only played nine games this season but a fresh and rejuvenated Jason Taumalolo is satisfied with his NRL minutes as North Queensland look to continue showcasing their forward depth in a September finals charge.
The Cowboys have gone undefeated through the State of Origin period, beating Melbourne, Penrith, South Sydney and Wests Tigers while enjoying two byes.
A maximum 12 competition points and 177 points scored in that period has helped lift them to sit outside the eight only on for-and-against.
The run has come largely without inspirational co-captain Taumalolo, who only featured against the Panthers and Tigers.
He spent from round eight to 16 sidelined with a knee issue – the longest injury break of his career – and is now raring to lead his side to a deep finals push as the NRL season enters its pointy end.
Asked if his extended break had helped his body, Taumalolo said: “Yeah it has. This late in my career any sort of break is needed, but I’ve missed a lot of footy the last two-to-three months and it’s good to be back out there trying to get some game time under my belt heading into the important part of the year.
“I’m happy with the game time I’m getting and everyone seems to be playing well.
“It’s going to be hard to manage guys’ minutes when people all across the team are playing well.”
In his absence, players like Zac Laybutt, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Luciano Leilua and Jeremiah Nanai have all found patches of form, while 19-year-old edge-forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki continues to illustrate why coach Todd Payten will struggle to leave him off the team sheet.
Jason Taumalolo. (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)
Imposing forward Heilum Luki is also set for a return in the coming weeks after suffering a facial fracture against the Panthers.
“We have a lot of young players that are slowly coming through the ranks and have managed to pick up a fair bit of minutes,” Taumalolo said.
“It’s going to help them develop and develop their careers eventually, and it’s good to see guys like Kuli, Laybutt come in (who are) strong boys and play really well too.
“That always makes it very competitive amongst the playing roster.”
Robbo
Roar Rookie
What has he learned that he can pass on?
Robbo
Roar Rookie
He needs to set an example for all young testosterone filled men and show that he has learned something about the level of anxiety that he may have burdened his victim with by his actions. He doesn't talk about the consequences of his actions to the victim, just that he is sorry. He doesn't write his own statement anyway so its pretty ordinary as to what has come out of the club
Emcie
Roar Guru
I was relying to totc
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Not asking for the victim to receive more attention
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Well not really - responsible service of alcohol is about behaviour not consumption. For example some can drink 15 beers and behave fine whilst others can be visibly tanked on 2 glasses. The venue acted when his behaviour showed signs of him being unduly intoxicated, that is, the groping complaint. The only way the venue would be in trouble is if it could be shown that there was indications of him being unduly intoxicated that were not acted upon responsibly.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's usually pretty easy to see through an insincere public apology. But there was no misplaced intention or shifting the blame. The only "but" was that it was his fault for getting drunk rather then an excuse and he's placed his own conditions upon himself to improve. It's about as good a start as you make to redeem yourself, but it's still just a start
Emcie
Roar Guru
To be fair, the statement was specifically about the punishments given to the perpetrator. From my experience victims don't want more attention then is necessary, many don't want to be involved at all after it gets reported if it gets that far. There's a difference between the victim being forgotten and their wishes being respected, and they don't need us dertermining what's the right course of action for them
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I think that is as contrite and honest a statement as you can get in this situation. At a time when some players/clubs would have used the media ban as a protective blanket and just released a written statement, he fronted up. Of course people are going to have him condemned for life and beyond redemption as they treat all these incidents with the same blanket level of culpability and criminal action. But I think the act, the acceptance of punishment, the apparent sincerity of his statement, buy him a chance to be a better person and redeem himself as a footy player. At the end of the day, what matters is whether the lady involved feels he was punished appropriately and if she feels there is any remorse. But we will never know. And as a footy player, if he could drink and treat his body like that, and still be as good as he has been, then Eels fans should be excited at the prospect of a clean and healthy Dylan Brown on the redemption path.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought so too Often these things are “yeah, I did it… but it’s sorta not really my fault. Heaps of other stuff happened that sorta made me do it” Brown sounds genuinely remorseful, but the proof’s in the pudding
Toss of the coin
Roar Rookie
Question. Parramatta have an nrlw side. Wonder what those girls think of dill-on? "Just had too many beers". Wonder if he is "sorry" for what he did, or "sorry" for the publicity the matter attracted in the aftermath when he was sober? Time will tell whether he has learnt from this or not.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Does Dylan Brown have Jarrod Hayne's old locker ?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
And as in the Josh Curran incident. the Nightclub gets off scot-free with NSW Liquor & Gaming again invisible.
Toss of the coin
Roar Rookie
Agree with your earlier comment. Too often the "victim" is forgotten & the concentration is on the well being of the perpetrator. Dill-on has a mother & sister & he said he wouldn't like them to be treated the way he treated that young lady. Fair enough. By the way he apparently had a skinful so I assume that venue will be charged with a breach of the responsible serving of alcohol rules. I await further developments.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I meant humiliation
Toss of the coin
Roar Rookie
The common denominator in many off field 'indiscretions" is alcohol. I understand it's a societal issue however high profile people e.g. politicians, entertainers & sportspeople should realise that poor behaviour is "newsworthy". Goes with the territory & the trade off for the top & middle tier is the salary.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
While im sure he is remorseful his statements haven't shown any real understanding from him as to the level of trauma, humility and violation that she has experienced and still may for a long time when around men. It all seems very general against the female object?
Emcie
Roar Guru
I'm not sure he was aware how many drinks he had... The police had to keep him overnight till he was sober enough to actually charge. All official statements are prepared, it's not really a sign of anything. Some people just seem to have to learn the hard way, but he's said the right things and appears to have the right plans in place. No point writing him off ahead of time
andrew
Roar Rookie
Parra's happy to keep him,must have met all the Eels requirements. He won't be welcome at Saints.
Toss of the coin
Roar Rookie
Brown was sufficiently aware to know approximately how many drinks he had. His remorse detailed in his speech (prepared by him or somebody else)? will be measured by his future behaviour. Repeat offenders have historically expressed the same "scripted " response.
mushi
Roar Guru
As far as "taking responsibility" statements that one's pretty good saying he's glad she held him accountable. Now it's up to him to change.